I’m no knitting mastermind, but I do feel I have a solid grasp of the craft, moreso than sewing. I’ve been knitting since I was 14 years old, and am confident that I can interpret most patterns in a way that suits me. So when I come across a knitting conundrum I’m always eager to learn more.
My latest knit is a cabled jumper. The cable chart and general idea are adapted from Calista Yoo’s Ashwood (Knitty Winter ’16), and I’ve worked out a pattern base to suit my preference for working top-down in the round in 8ply yarn* (the original pattern called for 12ply). Eventually, it should be a long sleeve, drop shoulder jumper with straight body and plain ribbed neckband.


Right now, I’m working the bodice to the underarm (first back, then pick up front shoulders and work down), and the neckline is posing a challenge. When I cast on the neck then worked down, the neckline flared out from the cable pattern, creating a wobbly edge from which it would be impossible to knit a neat neckband.

The knitting brains trust on Instagram informed me this was due to cable splay. I’ve included some articles about it below, but essentially the fabric of a cabled knit draws in and out. The flared neckline is the fabric stretching out after a drawn-in cable twist.
I was offered two suggestions for a fix:
1. Calculate the number of neck cast on stitches in the cabled gauge, then stockinette gauge. Cast on the number required in stockinette, then rapidly increase to the number required in the cable gauge. For me, this would mean 36 cable sts – 23 stockinette sts = 13 sts difference by gauge.
2. A simpler alternative is to cast on 1 fewer stitch for every stitch crossed in a cable. Eg, if you have 2 of 2×2 cables, you cast on 4 fewer stitches. I have 3 of 3×3 cables, so would cast on 9 fewer stitches.

I think I might start with option 2., Just because it requires less drastic increases. I assume the increases need to be in the knit sections to become cable twists, so will increase 3 sets of 3 knit stitches to 3 sets of 6 knit stitches. If it doesn’t work out, I can always rip back and try option 1.
Have you had any experience with cable splay? Or any suggestions for my cable conundrum?
Further reading:
Cable Splay Demystified, from Impeccable Knits
Combating Knitted Cable Flare, from Interweave Knits
*I actually quite enjoy working with 12ply yarn, but 8ply was what I had on hand.
Oh dear. I have been knitting a long time and I knit frequently but I knit simple projects. I looked up the problem and saw it was also called “cable flare”. This article seemed good, but I have no idea what they are talking about with my limited knitting skills: https://www.interweave.com/article/knitting/combating-knitted-cable-flare/
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Thanks Janet. That’s an article I link to in my post π It was quite helpful.
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I haven’t encountered this, which is strange given that I’m a loose knitter! Mind you, I tend to knit bottom up so this wouldn’t really have a chance to happen on a bind off edge. I think the second approach sounds more sensible in every way and thanks for providing info about how one can manage this knitting mini-crisis,
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One of those commenting on Instagram said she decreases above cables for a cast-off edge. So I guess it’s necessary sometimes? I agree that the simple approach may be the better.
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Good to know, cuz the likelihood I’ll have to think about this at some point is not low π
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This is such a cute design. I’d never even heard of ‘cable splay’ before – good luck with finishing it off, I hope you manage to work out the best fix for it without too much hassle π
Caz xx
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Thanks Caz. I’ll do a bit of experimenting and see.
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I am impressed! If you knit better than you sew, you must be one hell of a knitter!
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Aw, thanks Meg! Knitting will always be my first love.
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Can’t wait to see it!! It looks gorgeous! Happy knitting. Such a great hobby during the cooler months. π
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Itβs a great hobby year round for me! Iβm looking forward to the end result but it might take a while given the rate at which I knit.
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π No rush, weβll all be here, trying not to burn things with fire.π (Hoping you found that funny…it was meant to be funnyπ)
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πππ I have a black/absurd sense of humour so youβd have to go a lot darker for me not to find that funny!
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