How to Make a Mock Cable

The stitches in my Barbie Cable Knit Sweater and Matching Beret are tiny. I've dispensed with fiddly cable needles by using a Mock Cable stitch that you can make on two needles. I think this makes things a little easier.

Here's how it goes:

Remember, these instructions are for knitting in the round so ALL rows are Right Side rows.

Round 1: (P2, K3) repeat.

Round 2: (P2, K3) repeat.

Round 3: (P2, K3) repeat

Round 4: (P2, take needle to the front of work, K 3^rd st on left hand needle, then 2^nd st, then 1^st st: slip all sts off tog.)

So, in other words on Round 4 at the cable you are skipping over 2 stitches, knitting the THIRD stitch first, MIDDLE stitch next, and FIRST stitch last. As you go through these three stitches, the original stitches are still ON the left needle. Now pull all the stitches off the left needle, and continue.

Here is a link to a Knitting Help video for Mock Cable. I think she has some good tips, but she makes it look harder than it should be. I think it makes a huge difference that she is using a fat fuzzy yarn. She says so herself. Using a smooth, light coloured yarn makes everything easier! I do like her emphasis on keeping the tension as loose as posible and her clear explanations. Keep in mind that she is knitting flat and my instructions are for knitting in the round.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eYKKMUC_V8c

This is what Mock Cable should look like. I've stretched the work out a bit so you can see all of the stitches. 

Mock Cable

Don't worry about blocking the sweater. This stitch's natural ribbed quality makes a nice figure hugging look from a relatively bulky knit.

This is what the sweater looks like off the doll. Much better on, I think.

For this pattern and more Barbie Patterns, check out these pages:

https://www.etsy.com/listing/120287634/barbie-knitting-pattern-cable-knit

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KellyMullanDesigns

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kelly-mullan

AND please consider making a comment about, or pinning this post. 

FREE Barbie Crochet Jacket Pattern

I don't usually crochet Barbie clothes, but this design really worked out well. I hadn't thought of writing this up,  but someone saw the sweater on my Flickr page and requested the pattern. This is super easy, and also shows you how to crochet a flat circle.

Barbie Crochet Circle Jacket                     By Kelly Mullan

Materials:

2.75mm/ C/2 hook

Medium to light weight sock yarn.

Instructions

Begin by chaining 6 stitches. Connect ends with a slip stitch to form a foundation loop.

Chain one st.

First round: Using single crochet stitches (sc), work eight stitches around foundation loop. Stitches should go through the center loop and not through individual stitches.

Second Round: work TWO stitches into each stitch of first round (16 sts total).

Third Round: (In first st, work 1 sc. In second st, work 2 sc) repeat to end of row.

Fourth Round: (in first and second stitch, work 1 sc. In third st, work 2 sc) repeat to end of round.

By now you might have noticed a pattern to the placement of increases. On every round you are working 1 more stitch before making an increase. (For example, if you were to do an Increase Round 5 you would single crochet into 3 stitches before increasing by working 2 single crochets into the next stitch.) You may continue in this manner until your fabric reaches the desired diameter. 

At round Seven, chain 8 stitches and connect chain to main body of work 8 stitches along edge. This creates a sleeve opening 16 sts around. Sc to opposite side of work and repeat. You should now have two sleeve openings across from each other. Continue working flat circle as above and working sc stitches into the 8 loops of the chain at each sleeve opening.

Sleeve openings

Continue for 10 more rows continuing the same increase pattern. End row opposite sleeve opening. Bind off. Sew in ends

Sleeves

Pick up 16 sts around sleeve openings. Sc straight for 16 rows. Bind off. Repeat for second sleeve. Sew in yarn ends.

Sew two buttons at center front of jacket. Use space between stitches for button holes.

For more Barbie patterns please take a look at my shop. 

Etsy: http://www.etsy.com/shop/KellyMullanDesigns

Links to More Patterns and Pictures

My Shop on ETSY:
http://www.etsy.com/shop/KellyMullanDesigns

My Patterns and Projects on Ravelry:
http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kelly-mullan

My Barbie Photos on flickr: 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56204398@N08/sets/

Take a look at my pages on these other sites for free patterns, patterns for purchase and tons of my Barbie pictures. 

New Pullover with Sailor Collar

Here are some shots of a sweater I made this week. It is really easy and adaptable. I love the sailor collar and have been meaning to make a sweater with one for some time, but a short collar is more sophisticated - less girly.

I find you can make this sweater with different weights of yarn on the same needles (US size 2/ 2.75mm) and come up with some very different looks. The pink sweater above is in a fine fingering weight of vintage baby wool. This has a pretty fitted look.

The grey sweater, in a medium weight sock yarn has a roomier fit, but still fairly sleek. I think this is a fairly common sock weight. It's also a nice weight to work with. A happy medium, if you will.

The yellow sweater is made with a heavier sock yarn but still a DK. It makes a bulkier sweater, with a more outdoorsy feel. Still quite cute though.

This free pattern will be posted soon. I'm putting in lots of pictures and explanations, so don't worry if you are a beginner.

Getting to Know Me

On this wintery day, I'm introducing my Barbie knitting blog. Here is a favorite image that says it all. I'm just trying to cheer myself up on grey Toronto February day with a cute sweater. Also, I'm hoping to inspire anyone with a bit of leftover sock yarn and bit of time to make one of these small but easy designs. I try to make my designs as sleek and "wearable" as possible. And I've tried to infuse a little sensible style into the old girl.

Coming soon are some free patterns with lots of advice and help. Meanwhile, please take a look at my patterns on Etsy and Ravelry and more Barbie photo on Flickr. Here are some links

ETSY:

http://www.etsy.com/shop/KellyMullanDesigns

Ravelry:

http://www.ravelry.com/designers/kelly-mullan

Flickr 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/56204398@N08/sets/