Cables and Rouche

Cables and Rouche Knitted Shawl by Nunzia Diglio Designer

What Is Being Made

Cables and Rouche is a large triangular knitted shawl featuring a deconstructed construction method. The design uses changes of direction throughout the knitting process to create a final garment with striking visual impact. This intermediate-level project is available as a downloadable PDF pattern and can be executed in either a single color or two-color colorway.

Construction and Design Approach

This shawl employs a deconstructed building technique where directional changes are integral to the overall aesthetic. The triangular silhouette emerges through strategic shaping, making this an engaging project for knitters with intermediate skills who want to explore non-traditional shawl construction methods.

Stitches and Techniques Used

• Cable cast on: Used to establish the foundation edge with texture and elasticity
• Garter stitch: The primary stitch structure forming the base fabric
• Cable motif: Worked over 26 stitches using the sequence p4, k18, p4, creating dimensional cable textures throughout the design
• Yarn over motif: Executed over 2 stitches with yo, k2tog repeats, adding lace elements and shaping
• Short rows with wraps and turns (w&t): Partially worked rows that create shaping without leaving holes at turning points, essential for the directional changes that define this pattern

Yarn Options and Requirements

The pattern accommodates multiple yarn choices, offering flexibility for different fiber preferences:

• Manifattura Sesia Mistral Plus (4-ply weight): 10 skeins for single-color version or 6 skeins (color 1) plus 4 skeins (color 2) for two-color version; each skein is 50 g with 112 meters of yardage
• Araucania Botany Lace (sport weight): 2 skeins per shawl; each skein is 100 g with 410 meters of yardage
• Malabrigo Sock (sport weight): 2 skeins per shawl; each skein is 100 g with 400 meters of yardage

Needles and Notions

Needle sizes vary depending on yarn selection. Use 4 mm needles for Manifattura Sesia Mistral Plus, and 3.5 mm needles for both Araucania Botany Lace and Malabrigo Sock yarns. The pattern requires several stitch markers—use two matching markers to indicate cable motif placement and additional matching markers to denote wrap and turn positions throughout the short-row sections.

Skill Level

This project is rated intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic stitches and are ready to tackle more complex techniques. Familiarity with cable stitches, yarn overs, and especially short-row shaping with wraps is beneficial for successfully completing this design.