Hey everybody! Here’s what clue #7 looks like all cabled up:
Can you believe how far we’ve come? We’re on our last pattern block!
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE PDF FILE OF CLUE #8
The last knit-along post had us dive head-first into the cable pool. Now let’s head to the deep end!
I personally find cable needles tedious. Three needles and only two hands? And what about when that cable needle disappears in the couch cushions? Here’s a step by step of the technique I like to use for cabling.
KNITTING CABLES WITHOUT A CABLE NEEDLE
Let’s look at C6B like we worked in the clue #7.
C6B = Slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle
and leave at back of work. K3, then K3 from
cable needle.
First we have to “slip 3 onto cable needle”. No way, man! Instead of slipping 3 sts onto that cable needle, we’re going to go rogue and slip them onto… drumroll please… thin air!
I like to gently pinch the stitches between the right-hand needle and my finger so they don’t get out of line.
Now instead of going ahead and knitting the next three stitches, we’re going to re-arrange them. Slip the next three stitches from the left needle to the right needle making sure the three “rogue” stitches are still hanging out in back (if this was a C6F, we would hold those stitches in front) .
Next we’re going to rescue our poor needle-less stitches by slipping them back onto the left needle.
Now return those front three stitches from the right needle back to the left.
Our stitches are now in the ‘twisted’ position that makes a cable. Last but not least? Knit all 6 sts!
Et Voila!
Give it a go! Cabling without a cable needle might not be for you, but it might just change your life! Whether you like the technique or not, it’s handy to learn. What if you lose a cable needle and desperately need to continue knitting?
Our next knit-along clue ads one more element to the techniques we have covered: Bobbles! Bobbles are another one of those polarizing knitterly elements. Some think they are hideous blights on the knitting landscape, while others think they are wonderful little bits of texture. Personally, I love ‘em, as long as they’re used wisely! Much like cables, bobbles can be modified to create different sizes, shapes and textures. The basic technique is simple: increase and decrease in the same stitch. Let’s take a closer look at the specific bobble used in our next Mystery Afghan clue:
BOBBLE TUTORIAL
(Click on the pictures to see them bigger)
MB (make bobble) = [(K1. P1) twice. K1] all in next stitch. 5
stitches made. Turn. P2tog. P1. P2tog. Turn.
Sl1. K2tog. psso. 1 stitch remains. Bobble
complete.
Our first step is to make 5 sts out of one. We do this by alternately knitting and purling into the same stitch: [(K1. P1) twice. K1] all in next stitch. Here I’m knitting one…
… but instead of slipping the stitch off the needle, I’m going to bring the working yarn to the front and purl into the same stitch:
That was so nice, let’s do it twice! Bring the working yarn back to the rear of your work and knit again, then bring your yarn forward to purl again, all into that same stitch:
And now we need to K1, once more:
We’ve created 5 stitches out of one, which gives width to our bobble, and now we need to create length. Length is created with the next step in the instructions which has us turn and knit in the other direction: Turn. P2tog. P1. P2tog.
Now we’ve created an extra “mini” row, as well as decreased those 5 stitches and to 3. Next we’ll turn and knit the other direction again, decreasing back to our original 1 st: Turn.Sl1. K2tog. psso.
Your bobble is complete! We’ve take one stitch, increased it to five stitches and then decreased it back to one, all over three “short” rows. These few extra stitches and rows create the little puff of knitted fabric that makes our bobble.
Ta-da! Bobblicious!
Good luck with the cables and bobbles and tune in one week from today (Wednesday February 3rd) to talk about seaming our afghan together.
Happy knitting!
I am so glad to see that the example block looks taller rather longer. I seriously thought I had a big problem. I only did the first block to wait and see how far off I was. Now I can get caught up and hopefully finish 8 in the next two weeks to be able to put it together with everybody else!! Happy knitting everyone!!
Yippie…mine came out right.
I dont like charts as much as reading the pattern written out,so was debating between challenging my skills and using the charts or letting the blocks really be a mystery. Went with the written pattern…what can I say I am lazy lol
Soo…its always good when I see my blocks come out right.
Any one else kind of sad we will be starting the last clue?
Maybe I am just sad I will have to block and sew this thing together lol Enjoy the knitting more than the finishing.
Hope there is another knit along planned soon.
Oh dear I had it in my head that there were 9 clues, so I thought this was ‘only’ the second last! oh well…yes I’ll miss doing them LOL.
None of my blocks are the same size, although close to the 8 x 10, but I don’t think blocking is going to make them exact either. I’ll just join them as I can, when it comes to that.
Mine came out right!!! I’m not comletely done with all the blocks for clue 7 but I’m getting there. All of the other blocks are all blocked and ready to be put together. I can’t figure out how they will go together though, but that’s the mystery, right.
Is the next clue coming out next Weds or the week after?
Hi Arlene -
Next week (Wed. Jan 27) we’ll have a tutorial on seaming the squares. The week after that, we’ll be releasing clue 9 (the border).
You mean “Next week (Wed. Feb. 3)… right?
Oops, that’s right Donna. Sorry for any confusion.
I think that in 50 years of knitting, I’ve probably done bobbles once, and chose not to do them again! Something along the lines of once I grew up and left home, I never have to eat liver again! (Apologies to those who like liver…)
I will now bite the bullet (since I’m into eating analogies) and make this block.
But I think that I’m going to use my limited left-handed knitting skills and NOT turn for the bobbles. We’ll see how this works out.
Judy
I’m going to be so sad when this afghan is finished. It has been a lot of fun.
ah, so I was half right – yes 9 clues 8 blocks and 1 border…
I have only completed one clue 7 block but it came out right. I hope to finish the remainder this week and move onto clue 8. i have never made bobbles before and I hope I am up to the challenge.
I thought we had two more clues I guess I just did not want this KAL to end. i will miss knitting with all of you.
on another note I am not looking forward to joining all the blocks but I am anxious to see what the afghan will look like.
Crystal v.
I can’t believe it’s going to be over soon–I still have alot of catching up to do. I know that I won’t be done on time, but I am enjoying the mystery trip. I hope that there is another mystery in the future, maybe one that tells a story.
Years ago I participated in a counted cross-stitch mystery and every 2 weeks we were given a part of the graph to stitch. Each graph held a clue to the mystery and each graph came with a chapter to read. It was really fun!! It was like stitching a story.
I had fun with cables and I can do bobbles, I don’t like to seam but I know I can do it. I have never knitted a border.The afgan will probably look very nice with it, but I’m kinda worried this will be my Waterloo!
Was wondering if the border will be made using just the main color?
I am running short on the other colors I chose (not using the Bernat Satin) and wanted to know if I will need more yarn.
If answering this will spoil the mystery….no problem..I will wait till the border clue comes out and then purchase more yarn if I need it.
thanks
Hi Gina;
Yes, the border is in color “A”, which is why we quote an extra ball for that one. Of course, feel free to do your border in any colour you like though!
Julia.
This was my favourite block so far. I love the challenge of cables. I worked from the chart as that is more visual to me. I am not all that fond of making the bobbles, but they do add that little something extra to a project so will be eager to get them done.
I’m about halfway done with my first clue #8 block. I tried the new way of doing cables but I didn’t like as much so I went back to using the j-shaped cable needle. As for bobbles…..the jury is out on them so far. I’m not sure I would willingly knit a pattern that had them but I haven’t had trouble following the directions in knitting them. I like the way this block is turning out and I am looking forward to putting the afghan together.
The cabling is fun, and I surprised myself that I could cope with the cable-needle-free method for this block. It didn’t work on another project I have in progress, where the tension is firm with the same type of cable as in the previous block. Stitches undid themselves as soon as I had them off the needle, too fiddly. For this pattern, and with the Satin yarn, I can manage.
Bobbles…once upon a time I made a vest of my own design entirely of bobbles. It wore like chain mail!
RE: letting the cable stitches “hang in the air”…Just my opinion, but I would be very uneasy letting the 3 stitches hang loose while I transfer 3 stitches…then transfer the 3 stitches that are hanging, etc. What I DO is exactly what you said you do, EXCEPT, I put the cable stitches on the cable needle. So, in a C6B, I put 3 sts on the cable needle, tranfer the next 3 sts to the right needle, transfer the 3 cable needle sts back to the left needle, transfer the 3 right needle sts back to the left needle, and then k6. That way, there is no danger of dropped stitches, and it is easier, for me, to not have to knit from the cable needle (which was the same reason that you chose to do it your way, I think.)
Thank you Mary for the idea of using the cable needle just to move the stitches for the cable needle-less cables…. I too don’t like the thought of just letting the stitches hang in thin air.
As for bobbles, the last time I tried bobbles I ended up making up a stitch just to avoid the bobble. I’ll try, but….
So far I’m a little behind from Clue#7.. all those cables are slow-going for me, but I’ll persevere.
Really enjoying this.
OK – I have finished the first 7 rows. I can’t believe I can do this! This is absolutely the second best way to learn to knit! (The best way being, of course, learning in person from an experienced knitter. Since one isn’t available to me, I choose this way.)
I finally bought the Knit Picks circular set (nickel plated). I have used them to start this clue, and am very surprised by them. The difference between the Knit Picks and my Boye aluminum needles is night-and-day! I didn’t quite believe that different needles made that big a difference – I was wrong. I have only done 7 rows with the new needles so far, but I love them. I will let everyone know if I find any downside to these needles before the KAL is over.
New question:
Are there different situations in which different style cable hooks are used, or is it just personal preference?
10 rows done on this block, and am loving the way it is knitting up! Really not looking forward to the blocking portion of this project. I have been knitting for years but have never blocked a project…am debating whether I will block this one…anyone else??
My free advice is if your blocks all measure even, then you’re ok.
Well, I have to say so far I like this block-I’m about half done on the first one. I had only tried bobbles once, then avoided any pattern with them . I like the way they look, but don’t like doing them. I have trouble getting the 5th stitch/loop on my needle for the bobble, must because I knit a bit on the tight side. But actually, now that I’ve done about 8 of them, they aren’t so bad.
I’m done with pattern 7, but the funny thing is that each block took me longer and more effort. I fought with the third one over a 3-day period and FINALLY got it done. I really like cables, but for some reason I kept making mistakes on that one.
I will also miss the KAL, it has been fun. Hope we have another one.
I love the way this block is coming out. I’m about 3/4 of the way done the first one. I have to knit these when the kids are in school. My youngest is in Kindergarten 1/2 day. They are way too distracting when you are trying to knit cables! I have always avoided doing anything with bobbles in the pattern, but I really like the way this block looks.
I too will miss the KAL, this has been fun. My kids have even gotten excited about this. They can’t wait to see how it will look when it’s finished. Me too!
I can’t download clue #8, it says the file is damaged. what do I do?>??
Phyllis
Hi Phyllis -
If you’re unable to download the block, send an email to knitalong@bernat.com. We’ll respond and either send you a new file or figure out another way to get the instructions to you.
thank you, I just left them an email.
Phyllis
I am with you on the blocking…just seems like a pain in the butt. but I feel that way with swatching and end up in trouble if I dont lol
I added two colors to the afghan so have even more squares to block.
Why oh why did I not just do a few at a time as I went along lol
Think I may just block the ones that dont measure even, see how they look and go from there
Good morning, everybody
This is my first time posting a message, but I have been with you the whole time reading all the messages and knitting along. I’ll be sad when its all over as I’ve really enjoyed the whole process of getting the clue and then knitting it and seeing what it looks like as it grows on my needles. I’ve managed to keep fairly up-to-date, in spite of Christmas knitting and all the other projects that I’ve got going (a friend asked me to knit 15 pairs of slippers, all different sizes). Those are almost done, and well as this KAL. What am I going to do with all my spare time when these are finished? I am looking forward to seeing all the finished afghans.
Hi all
This is my first time in commenting also, but have been reading all the post and knitting along. I think we all will be sorry to see this end, looking forward to the next one. Had 2 blocks of clue 7 done but a slight mishap with the sweeper and knitting bag (thanks to our cats), so now have to do them over. Looking forward to trying this bobble. I have made bobbles before, but they were closed on the next row, this will be something new.
I also transfer to cable needle, slip to right needle and then transfer all back to left needle. Since was self taught from books this was easiest. I have found in everything you do that what works for one doesn’t always work for someone else. So we have to figure out the way that works for us. I crochet and do about everything else left handed, but knit right handed ( could not find instruction book for lefty when learning). Techinquie might be different but results are the same. Lookng forward to see the pictures of everyones afghans – hope they will be posted
Nice thoughts, Patty
Hey all, this morning I decided to do ‘something’ with blocking my pieces. Acrylic yarn, machine washable – I tossed the 21 blocks so far made, into the rinse cycle of the washing machine, on gentle, and in warm water. I only let the machine agitate ever so briefly, enough that the pieces were soaked, then set the dial to spin dry.
I sorted the blocks into piles of Same Clue, then pinned the damp-dry blocks to a large piece of builder’s board covered with blanketing, 3 of each clue in a stack. I used large round-headed pins pushed in vertically. I have all 7 stacks pinned to the piece of board, used both sides of the board (it is also known as hard insulation – I had a remnant of it from a reno project). The board is propped up to air dry for a few days while I work on Clue #8.
They are all pinned to as close as possible a 10 x 8 inch measurement. Some when just off the needles measured exactly 8 inches tall but longer than 10 inches. I don’t think that blocking them will be able to shorten the length. As well, the first clue blocks are stretchy yet want to return to their resting size, less than 10 x 8. I’ll deal with uneven measurements when it comes to the sewing up.
Finished the first 16 rows of clue 8. I am liking the looks except for the bobbles. I am not fond of them. They just don’t seem to fit. Are they suppose to be more round looking. Mine look line noses sticking out from the block. LOL
I don’t know about a knitted afghan, but when I crochet an afghan WITH ACRYLIC YARN, I don’t usually bother to block it. It may be misshapen when I sew it together, but, after I wash it, it usually comes out just fine. The more I wash it (and use fabric softener) the better it looks. I still have crocheted (acrylic) afghans from 30+ years ago that still look great!
If knitting is different, please let me know all you experienced people!
Hi everyone,
I too have been following the KAL since the beginning, but have been to shy to post a comment! I just wanted to say that I’ve had a great time reding all your comments and have learned a lot. I just started knitting in September, so I have a lot to learn and I was very encouraged to know how everyone else was doing, particualrly when I was struggling.
Thanks to bernat for doing this, I can’t think of a better way to learn new techniques. I’m a few blocks behind, but I hope to catch up in time to enter the contest at the end.
ooooo, I’m only half way throught he first #7 block. Can’t wait to try cabling in “thin air.” It looks easy. I hope I can get caught up!
Thank you Bernat for doing this KAL. I have really enjoyed it– the the patterns and new stitches but especially the helpful hints from you and everyone else. I have been doing more hardanger had not knit something in quite a while– but I was itching to get back to it. This was a great appetizer to start again. Looking forward to more. Thanks again.
Donna Lynn I too have been knitting and crocheting for over 40 years and have never blocked a thing. I just wash the finished afghan and they always come out beautiful. I am hopping we have more of these projects to do. It has been fun reading the blog and it has made it feel like we were not knitting this alone. Happy knitting to everyone and can’t wait to see the finished products. It has been fun and a learning experience for me.
Kimberli,same here on the blocking thing. Been knitting about as long as you and was under the impression that blocking acrylic is futile as it will revert to the finished form when it is washed and dried…time will tell.
Hi Everyone,
I’m basically commenting just to get myself back in the email loop. I seem to get kicked out on a regular basis.
I am, however, now a square behind. The instructions for Clue 7 were so intimidating that I’ve been putting off getting started.
Me too. I used every excuse not to start……can’t find my cable needle, my favorite needles are being used for another project, busy at work etc, etc. Well I tried Clue 7 last night, had an extra stitch, pulled it all out and now I have been staring at my knitting bag all day. Tonight I promise to complete one block of Clue 7. ( could be a long night )
Yeh! I can play again. Caught up on my bookkeeping and year end that I ignored while doing KAL. Have enjoyed reading everyone’s comments about this clue. Can’t wait to see what bobbles look like on knit. Have only done them in crochet before. Will reserve judgement until I try them.
Donna Lynne is right. Different needles can make a huge difference in tension and ease of knit. I often use different needle types for different yarns. I personally hate plastic needles, but Aero (most easily available in my area) has nothing else in sizes over 5mm. For this project I needed to go up to 5 1/2 mm and was very frustrated on my tension swatch. Went to Factory Outlet in Listowel to buy my yarn for this KAL (Picking DD #2 up from university nearby) and found metal PRYM needles in larger sizes and bought some. Very smooth, what a difference. Will go back and get some more sizes soon. Should probably leave credit card at home though, as I got into trouble buying satin, baby yarn, mill ends, patterns, etc. last time. Lots of happy knitting to come though!
Woohoo! I did it! OK, just a few rows of clue number 8 is what I really did… but I had to try it a couple of times on a sample before I understood the way it worked. So from now on, I know I can continue and finish the KAL…
Can’t seem to get the hang of cabling in thin air. Anyone else trying it out? Going back to my cable needle.
Kathi, if you want to try it wait until you get several rows knit. It is much more difficult to do on the first rows. I find it just as fast most of the time to just hold my little needle I use for cabling in my left hand all the time. Quick in and out, no rearranging of stitches, just pop on and off.
The T5B I use the cable needle.
The T3F and T3B I can use ‘thin air’ – for T3F I put the right needle into the three stitches (2 K and 1P) and lift them off so they are on the right needle (this seems to loosen them up enough that they don’t want to unravel), then put the left needle from the front through the two K stitches and lift them off – yes the P stitch comes away, too, and it is out in the open, in behind. Promptly catch it from the back with the right needle and lift it on to the left needle, where it is now ahead of the K stitches, ready to make the purl stitch.
For the T3B, I do the same, transfer the three stitches to the right needle, now from the back lift the P stitch off the right needle onto the left, yes the two K stitches come away and they are hanging in thin air (you can figure out the best way to hold them in place, if necessary, pinching them at the base, pressing them against the needle – whatever you are comfortable with). Promptly catch the K stitches with the right needle and place them on the left needle, now the are ahead of the P stitch.
Thanks for your help!! I figured it out and am loving the technique. It is so much faaster and I am almost through the first block of #8. Woohoo!
Finished first block, like the pattern, but as far as the bobbles go, I could take or leave them. I recall making a baby sweater years ago that was all bobbles. Guess I had more patience then.
After several stops and restarts I decided to use a slightly different bobble technique than the pattern suggests. It gave me a slightly smaller, tighter bobble.
This is what worked best for me:
K1 into front of stitch, K1 into back of same stitch
K1 into front of same stitch again (3 stitches now on right needle)
Slip all 3 stitches back to left needle and knit all 3 stitches (ending on right needle)
Slip the first 2 stitches on right needle back to left needle and knit these 2 together. (ending on right needle with 2 stitches) Pass 2nd stitch over 1st.
On the row following the bobble row, I picked up a stitch from the bottom of the bobble and knitted it together with the top stitch of the bobble. This secures the bobble at the front of the knitting and prevents it from popping back to the wrong side.
ah ha! Thank you. An answer as to why my bobbles sometimes come out on the wrong side. lol
Havent started clue #8 yet but will try this when I get to the bobbles
I didn’t do clue 6, so I am going back now and tackling it. After clue # 5 I couldn’t face another lace block. I am going to rotate between clue 8 and 6 and hopefully get them finished. We are heading out for a vacation in a couple weeks, so that may slow me down on finishing and entering it in the contest. Guess I will just have to see how it goes.
Hello Everybody. Well I am a bit behind but I am so proud of myself with all the neat stuff I have learned during our KAL. I have only 1 square done of square pattern 7 but it turned out like it was supposed to. I can’t believe I am knitting such amazing cables. A while back in some of the comments a few of you were discussing the interchangeable knitting needle sets. I have tried to go back and re-read the comments but can’t find them. At the risk of being redunant…would any of you mind weighing in on the pros and cons of the various options out there. I am looking at possibly getting a set of the Denise interchangeable needles. Any advice would be very helpful. Thank you…
I’m one who swears by her Denise needles. I’ve never had a problem with them, they knit smoothly and the company stands behind them 100%. The only drawback is that with all of the cables and needles sizes I tend to start more projects than I should! (And no, I don’t always finish them!)
I have seen excellent reviews for the Denise needles – the only reason I didn’t buy them is that they are plastic. I have no experience with quality plastic needles, but dislike plastic crochet hooks. (One thing in favor of Denise – they are made in the USA.)
I just purchased Knit Picks nickel plated interchangeables. I used them for the first time on clue #8. I love them, so far. (I had been using Boye aluminum needles – there is no comparison!) The only difficulty (so far) is that one needle came unscrewed from the cable. I noticed it and was able to fix it before it came completely off. I must note that this happened within the first 10 rows of EVER using these needles, and has not happened again. I assume I didn’t have it screwed on tightly enough to begin with.
Let me say again that I am a beginner knitter. I have already finished all three blocks of clue #8 with these needles!
Hope this helps.
Thank you so much…I really appreciate all the advice.
A remark on the blocking – I’ve taken the 21 pieces off the board I had pinned them to, and piled them on my work table. They certainly are noticeably neater, and reasonably uniform in dimension except for those of Clue #1, returned to the size they were when I measured them just off the needle. For this particular project, I liked doing the blocking.
Yeah! I accidentally went about a 1/2-1 inch to long so I need to remove a couple of rows but other than that it looks the same. Now I need to put on my brave face, put the kids to bed, and tackle clue #8.
Yay, Kathi. Yay everyone knitting on.
Part way through second block of this clue in my dark colour choice, which I only work on during the day. For evening knitting I found some light yarn and made a winter hat with cables, got on to a 9 stitch cable in thin air. whee!
I am the one who has the nickle plated knitpicks set.
I love them. They do tend to unscrew once in awhile so that can be a problem. Now I just try to check the join every so often and when it is loose make sure to tighten it with the “thingy” that comes with the set.
Never used any other interchangeable set, so can not comment on them.
Have to agree with Ella’s grammoo…having the set makes me start more projects than I need to be starting lol
Well I am glad I went back and started clue 6. They are really pretty. I just know now if I do lace, I need to do nothing else. No TV, radio etc. I need to concentrate as to not miss any of those darn yo.
Yea! I’m done! After I blocked all of my blocks, I wished I had used a smaller needle. I had gone up 2 needle sizes because the knitting swatch showed I needed to go up 2 sizes but after I blocked every thing I realized one needle size would have been better.
I got a little behind on clue #7…I did my own clue 8 to catch up and finish with everyone else. I promise to try bobbles at a later date. I’m blocking now and getting ready to seam. This has been such a learning experience, the chatter has been friendly and helpful, I can’t wait til the next project.
Thanks for all the suggestions and helps, knitters are great ladies !!!
Hi Everyone,
I got caught up in either things but I returned to
finish two blocks of clue 7. It takes me a lot of
time to do it but a little bit every day is better
than trying to do too much in one day.
Is everyone finding clue 8 harder or easier than
clue 7?
Regards,
Knitting Mama
KNitting Mama I liked both of the last clues, they are about the same.but my fave is still the one that looks like bricks.
Just do one row at a time :p
This is my first entry. I have very much enjoyed knitting along with everyone, but have knitted or crocheted hundreds of afghans for different groups or projects over the years. When I finish a square, I leave twice the width before cutting my yarn; this gives me plenty to seam with in the correct colour and far less ends to sew in.
Just waiting for the border now.
You could certainly see your enthusiasm in the work you write.
The world hopes for even more passionate writers like you who aren’t afraid to say how they believe. Always follow your heart.
I almost never leave a response, but i did a few searching and wound up here Mystery Afghan Clue #8 | Bernat Blog.
And I do have 2 questions for you if you tend not to mind.
Is it just me or does it appear like some of the comments appear as if they are left by brain dead folks?
And, if you are writing at additional online social sites,
I would like to keep up with anything new you have to post.
Could you list of every one of your shared sites like your linkedin profile,
Facebook page or twitter feed?