purlJam

# Celtic Knot Cable Panel

## Skill Level
Intermediate

## Finished Measurements
Width: 5.5 inches (14 cm)
Height: 11 inches (28 cm)

## Materials

### Yarn
- Worsted weight yarn, approximately 150 yards (137 m)
- Sample shown in solid color for best cable definition

### Needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) straight needles, or size needed to obtain gauge

### Notions
- Cable needle (CN)
- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
- Stitch markers (optional, for tracking cable rows)

## Gauge
20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, blocked

**Gauge is important for achieving correct panel dimensions. Take time to check your gauge.**

## Abbreviations
- CN: cable needle
- k: knit
- p: purl
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- C5F: Cable 5 Front - Slip 3 stitches to CN and hold in front, k2, slip center stitch from CN back to left needle and purl it, k2 from CN
- C5B: Cable 5 Back - Slip 3 stitches to CN and hold in back, k2, slip center stitch from CN back to left needle and purl it, k2 from CN
- LC (Left Cross): Slip 3 stitches to CN and hold in front, k2, k3 from CN
- RC (Right Cross): Slip 2 stitches to CN and hold in back, k3, k2 from CN

## Pattern Notes
- This flat panel features a traditional Celtic knot design created with two interlocking cable strands
- Each cable strand is 5 stitches wide
- The Celtic knot pattern begins on Row 11 and completes on Row 50
- Panel is worked flat with selvage stitches on each edge
- Read RS rows from right to left; WS rows from left to right
- For best results, use a solid or semi-solid yarn color to showcase the cable detail

## Pattern Instructions

### Cast On
Cast on 20 stitches.

### Setup Rows (Rows 1-10)
These rows establish the two cable strands before they begin crossing.

**Row 1 (RS):** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 2 (WS):** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 3:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 4:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 5:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 6:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 7:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 8:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 9:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 10:** P5, k5, p5, k5.

### Celtic Knot Section (Rows 11-50)

**Row 11 (RS):** P3, RC (slip 2 sts to CN, hold in back, k3, k2 from CN), p5, LC (slip 3 sts to CN, hold in front, k2, k3 from CN), p3.
**Row 12 (WS):** K3, p5, k5, p5, k2.
**Row 13:** P2, RC, p5, LC, p2.
**Row 14:** K2, p5, k5, p5, k3.
**Row 15:** P1, RC, p5, LC, p1.
**Row 16:** K1, p5, k5, p5, k4.
**Row 17:** RC, p5, LC.
**Row 18:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 19:** K3, p2, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 20:** P5, k5, p5, k2, p3.

**Row 21 (RS):** K2, p3, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 22 (WS):** P5, k5, p5, k3, p2.
**Row 23:** K1, p4, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 24:** P5, k5, p5, k4, p1.
**Row 25:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 26:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 27:** P5, LC, p5, RC.
**Row 28:** K4, p5, k5, p5, k1.
**Row 29:** P1, LC, p5, RC, p1.
**Row 30:** K3, p5, k5, p5, k2.

**Row 31 (RS):** P2, LC, p5, RC, p2.
**Row 32 (WS):** K2, p5, k5, p5, k3.
**Row 33:** P3, LC, p5, RC, p3.
**Row 34:** K3, p5, k5, p5, k3.
**Row 35:** P3, k5, p5, k5, p3.
**Row 36:** K3, p5, k5, p5, k3.
**Row 37:** P3, RC, p5, LC, p3.
**Row 38:** K2, p5, k5, p5, k3.
**Row 39:** P2, RC, p5, LC, p2.
**Row 40:** K3, p5, k5, p5, k2.

**Row 41 (RS):** P1, RC, p5, LC, p1.
**Row 42 (WS):** K4, p5, k5, p5, k1.
**Row 43:** RC, p5, LC.
**Row 44:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 45:** K5, p5, k5, p5.
**Row 46:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 47:** K5, p5, LC, p5, RC.
**Row 48:** K1, p5, k4, p1, k4, p5.
**Row 49:** K5, p4, k2, p3, k1, p5.
**Row 50:** P5, k5, p5, k5.

### Closing Rows (Optional - Rows 51-60)
If you wish to mirror the opening section:

**Row 51 (RS):** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 52 (WS):** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 53:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 54:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 55:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 56:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 57:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 58:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 59:** P5, k5, p5, k5.
**Row 60:** P5, k5, p5, k5.

Bind off all stitches in pattern (knit the knits, purl the purls).

## Finishing
1. Weave in all ends on the wrong side of work
2. Block panel to finished measurements using your preferred blocking method
3. Pin out cable details while wet to emphasize the Celtic knot design
4. Allow to dry completely before unpinning

## Cable Chart

```
Key:
□ = Purl on RS, Knit on WS
• = Knit on RS, Purl on WS
RC = Right Cross (slip 2 to CN, hold back, k3, k2 from CN)
LC = Left Cross (slip 3 to CN, hold front, k2, k3 from CN)
```

The Celtic knot is created by the crossing pattern of two 5-stitch cable strands. The strands begin parallel, cross over each other (Rows 11-26), run parallel in the middle (Rows 27-34), then cross back to their original positions (Rows 35-50).

## Design Notes
This Celtic knot panel can be used in multiple ways:
- As a decorative wall hanging when framed
- As a central panel in a pillow cover
- Incorporated into a larger sweater or cardigan design
- Repeated multiple times for an afghan or blanket
- Used as a bookmark when knit in fingering weight yarn on smaller needles

## Customization Ideas
- **Size Adjustment:** Work additional setup and closing rows for a longer panel
- **Width Adjustment:** Add reverse stockinette columns on each side (maintain 20-stitch cable pattern in center)
- **Multiple Panels:** Cast on multiples of 20 stitches plus edge stitches to create several side-by-side knots
- **Color Variation:** Try a two-color version with each cable strand in a different color for dramatic effect

## Care Instructions
Block gently to set cables. Hand wash in cool water with mild detergent. Lay flat to dry, reshaping as needed. The cables will relax slightly with wear and washing, so re-blocking occasionally will maintain crisp definition.

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**Pattern designed for intermediate knitters comfortable with cable techniques. © 2024**