cableing (of the knitting type)

Anyone who has done a search for putting in cables I'm afraid this wont help you, unless you wish to par take in putting cables in your knitting! For I have set myself a challenge this January (i may set myself a new each month we shall see). This months challenge is to move on from the knit and pearl of stocking stitch to progress on to a cable jumper, not only a hand knitted cable one but a hand spun and plied aran weight one, as yet still trying to get to a double knit weight - more practise needed there.

So I've been spinning like a mad woman, Ashford corridale fleece, a one off colour called heather which has shades of maroon and purple with a bit of dark green thrown in. As soon as it comes off the niddy noddy (used for putting wool in hanks) it has had its ply set by leaving in to soak for a while, a quick spin in the machine and hung to dry and put on the ball winder its then ready to be knitted.

Now with plain knitting its possible to do other things at the same time - watch tellie, stroke a dog, have a cat sat on you lap, hold a conversation (unless counting is needed, then lots of repeated counting happens as one can quickly forget what number they are up to when answering a question at the same time) however patterned knitting is totally different. A few things i have learnt so far are:

You cannot do anything complicated without concentrating therefore before you have got to grips with the pattern no talking.
You can not watch films or tellie with sub titles.
You need a row counter, pen and paper to aid what row you are on.
blue tack doesn't really stick that well when you keep moving it up and down your patten chart, however it does stick pages together when you shut the book.
If you loose your cable needle you've had it and have to do that search down the side of the settee where wild things live - no money though!
There will be mistakes to start, hopefully as I didn't see them while knitting nobody else will see them on finished jumper (it will be on my back so if anyone points I will not seem them anyway as they will be pointing at my back)
I fear the American sizing may be wrong, I am knitting the smallest size 40" which I thought would come up nice and big enabling me to wear a few layers under it, only hope jumper does not find its way near a hot wash.

I am determined to finish and wear this one so will persevere till the bitter end and may have to diet in the journey if I am to wear it comfortably.

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