Creating the Ribbed Cable Panel: The Heart of the Tara Cardigan

Hi, this is Justine from Ossian Knitwear. Today, I’m excited to show you how to knit the distinctive ribbed cable that forms the beautiful front panel of the Tara cardigan. This cable is what gives the Tara its character and visual interest, and while it might look complex, I’ll break it down into manageable steps.

Understanding the Cable Structure

The ribbed cable panel is made up of 16 stitches, which we work in sections of four. The beauty of this cable lies in how it creates that gorgeous twisted rope effect while incorporating a rib pattern within the cable itself. It’s the combination of knit and purl stitches that gives this cable its unique ribbed texture.

My Favorite Tool: The Latch Cable Pin

Before we start, let me share a tip about cable pins. I prefer using latch pins because you can hook them to the back of your knitting, which makes them much easier to manage. Regular cable pins can slip out or dangle awkwardly, but latch pins stay securely attached to your work. It’s one of those small investments that makes cable knitting so much more enjoyable.

Working the First Half of the Cable

Step 1: Take your first four stitches and place them onto your cable pin. Hook the pin to the back of your knitting.

Step 2: Knit the next four stitches in this sequence:

Knit one
Purl two
Knit one

Step 3: Take the four stitches from your cable pin and slip them back onto your left-hand needle.

Step 4: Work these four stitches in the same sequence:

Knit one
Purl two
Knit one

You’re now halfway through! You should be able to see how those four stitches have moved to the outside of the cable, creating that lovely twisted effect.

Working the Second Half

Now we’re going to mirror the process but in reverse:

Step 5: Take the next four stitches onto your cable pin, but this time bring it to the front of your knitting (not the back).

Step 6: Work the next four stitches on your left needle in the same sequence:

Knit one
Purl two
Knit one

(Sometimes you might find a stitch has twisted—just knit it as it comes and continue.)

Step 7: Pop those four stitches from the cable pin back onto your left-hand needle.

Step 8: Work the final four stitches:

Knit one
Purl two
Knit one

And there you have it! You’ve now taken the other four stitches to the outside on the opposite side, creating that beautiful symmetrical ribbed cable pattern.

Tips for Cable Knitting Success

Maintain Even Tension: Cables can sometimes make your knitting tighter. Try to keep your tension consistent, especially when working those stitches fresh off the cable pin.

Count Your Rows: The Tara pattern will tell you how many rows to work between cable crossings. I find it helpful to use a row counter or keep a tally on paper—it’s easy to lose track when you’re in the rhythm of knitting.

Practice Makes Perfect: If this is your first time cabling, practice on a swatch first. Once you’ve worked through the sequence a few times, it becomes second nature.

Mind Your Purls: The purl stitches in this cable are what create the ribbed texture. Make sure they’re clearly defined by bringing your yarn firmly to the front before purling.

Check Your Work: After completing each cable crossing, take a moment to look at your work. You should see a clear diagonal movement of stitches creating that rope effect.

Why This Cable is Special

What I love about the Tara’s ribbed cable is that it combines two classic techniques—cabling and ribbing—into one stunning design feature. The ribbing within the cable adds depth and texture that you don’t get with a standard cable. It catches the light beautifully and creates visual interest from every angle.

The Bigger Picture

These cabled front panels are what elevate the Tara cardigan from a simple knit to a real statement piece. Combined with the tiny cable patterns on the trims and those distinctive large buttons, every element works together to create a garment with real character and craftsmanship.

This technique is part of our “How It’s Made” series at Ossian Knitwear, where I share the traditional skills that go into creating quality hand-knitted garments. Each technique you master adds to your knitting repertoire and opens up new pattern possibilities.

I hope you find this helpful! Once you’ve got the rhythm of this ribbed cable, you’ll find it’s actually quite meditative to work. Happy cabling!

The Tara Cardigan knitting pattern, complete with detailed instructions for this ribbed cable and all other elements, is available in our store. Custom-made Tara cardigans are also available to order.