Cables Untangled: An Exploration of Cable Knitting [Paperback]

Melissa Leapman (Author)

Book Description

Release date: July 13, 2010

Beautiful, intricate, flowing, mysterious, iconic—cable knit sweaters are all that and more. They are classic, stylish wardrobe staples. For many of us, cables are the main reason we were compelled to learn to knit in the first place. But it’s necessary to be an ultra-advanced knitter to even think about knitting cables, right?

Not really. In Cables Untangled, widely published author, knitwear designer, and teacher Melissa Leapman demystifies this perennially popular technique, guiding the reader through the process step by step. Even if you’ve mastered just a few basic knitting techniques, you can turn out beautiful cables too!

A comprehensive resource book for knitters of all levels, Cables Untangled features over twenty cabled projects, from simple household items to clothing, fashion accessories, and gifts for virtually everyone on your list. Every project is beautifully photographed and includes useful detail shots of every piece of cabled fabric.

In addition to the projects, Cables Untangled includes an invaluable Cable Stitch Dictionary, giving you the tools to be a skilled and creative cable-knitter. Extra resources include:


• A guide to using knitting charts and understanding their symbols

• A comprehensive stitch library of both traditional and unusual rib, panel, and allover cable stitches, all clearly photographed and accompanied by easy-to-use charts

• Tips for designing your own projects


Throughout the book, Leapman relies on the techniques she has developed teaching her popular workshops—making the process easy and fun for anyone.

Here’s the book that will bring your knitting to a whole new level, help you impress family and friends with your beautiful creations, and open up a new world of creative opportunities. Without a doubt, Cables Untangled is an indispensable resource in helping you conquer—and enjoy!—cables. It’s the ultimate guide for beginners and seasoned knitters alike.


From the Hardcover edition.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Melissa Leapman is a widely published sweater designer whose patterns have appeared in Vogue Knitting, Knitter’s, McCall’s, Family Circle, Better Homes and Gardens, Knit It!, and Interweave Knits magazines. Leapman has worked as a freelance designer for many leading ready-to-wear manufacturers, noted design houses, and major yarn companies. In addition, her knitting, crochet, and design workshops are extremely popular with crafters at all skill levels. She lives in New York City.


From the Hardcover edition.

Product Details

• Paperback: 192 pages
• Publisher: Potter Craft; 1 edition (July 13, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0307586480
• ISBN-13: 978-0307586483
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 0.7 x 10.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (29 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #421,509 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 80 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars A knitter's library "essential"? January 7, 2007

By Knits in Tardis VINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

Yeah, I'm chickening out with the question mark, but I suppose if you really dislike cables...(and you might even re-think that one after pouring over this book.) But I haven't seen any of my guild sisters page through for 5 minutes before deciding that this was a "must have".

I won't reiterate the praise below, beyond the mention that as someone who tends to find patterns either too trendy/youth-oriented or too dowdy and dull, I really loved the ones in this book. This after being kind of "eh!" about her other recent books: "Hot Knits" and "Cool Crochet". These cabled patterns are "safe" insofar as they are wearable by a variety of ages and body types, but they are NOT boring. (It's really nice when a book that teaches also has patterns that you'd want to buy for their own sake.)

These days, with the influx of newcomers to the craft and a plethora of "quick and EZ" pattern books, it's a joy to see a high-quality, educational knitting book that is aimed at the experienced or advanced beginners - or even just ambitious beginners - among us. Dear publishers: More of This!

43 of 44 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars 100 Stitches and 20 Patterns for the New Cable Knitter October 29, 2006

By Joanna Daneman #1 HALL OF FAMETOP 10 REVIEWERVINE™ VOICE

Format:Hardcover

This book is a combination stitch dictionary for textured, cable stitches and a pattern book.

The patterns include a very nice fringed skirt, where the cables end in fringe around the hem. There are standard men's and women's and kids' pullovers and a beautiful Aran afghan, by far my favorite of the designs. There is also a bag, pillow, hat, scarf, vest, poncho and afghan made of squares. I saw no jackets nor cardigans. The patterns are fairly basic, though a pillow in an all-over two-color cable was rather intricate-looking, but probably not terribly hard to knit.

You could adapt any of the patterns to use the other stitch designs in the stitch dictionary.

There is a front section of HOW-TO, for the newbie who has never cabled or done twisted stitches before. So I'd say this is a great book for new knitters who love cables and would like to know where to start. As you learn, you won't outgrow this book.

61 of 68 people found the following review helpful

3.0 out of 5 stars LOTS of better Cable books are out there... December 2, 2007

By mahlers2nd TOP 500 REVIEWER

Format:Hardcover

This book attempts to be a stitch pattern book, project book, and a "how-to" book for cable patterns. The author would have been better off picking one or the other since this book only gives superficial attention to the patterns and techniques.

If you want to learn how to do cables, then probably the best book (though harder to find) is Knitting in Plain English or (harder to find) Principles of Knitting). Both "demysitify" how to knit cable patterns -- they really aren't very difficult.

If you would like a great book of cable stitches, there are several knitting stitch libraries that are dedicated to cable patterns -- The Harmony Guides, Vogues Stitch Guides and the Barbara Walker Stitch library are much more in depth and will provide you with more cable patterns than you could ever need.

Finally, if you are looking for books that give you great cable projects, the best ones discuss the history and development of Aran knitting techniques. Check out "Traditional Aran Knitting" by Shelagh Hollingworth, "Fisherman's Sweaters" by Alice Starmore, "Patterns for Guernseys, Jerseys, and Arans" by Gladys Thompson and "Arans & Celtics: The Best of Knitter's Magazine" by Rick Moondragon (just to name a few). While these books are older and their "production values" may not be as "glamorous" as Leapman's books, they provide a wider range and better quality projects and will even help you learn how to create your own Aran designs.