Live Loop Crochet Stitches and Cables: a Demonstration

Introducing an exciting new cable technique for crochet, developed by Sue Perez (aka Mrs. Micawber). This video explains the theory behind the technique, and guides you through making a sample swatch. For patterns using Live Loop Cables, see Interweave Crochet's Fall 2017 issue.

[@LIMON.LIFESTYLE]

You have completely changed my life with this new technique, like total mind blown! Thank you for your contribution to this craft because you are the only one with this kind of video when I searched for alternative ways to crochet cables. I will always give this channel credit when I apply these to my patterns to come. Thank you and I Merry Holidays :)

[@arit8009]

That's such a cool technique! I'll have to try it out! This makes more sense to me than other ways of doing cables with crochet I've seen so far, I'm glad I stumbled across this!

[@ObliviaRules]

Wow, so amazing and the results are stunning. Thank you for sharing your knowledge.

[@dragpie16]

absolutely fantastic, such a cool insight to such a interesting and fresh way to do cable

[@stitchymcfloss225]

Awesome! Thank you for this video. You make the most interesting things. :) Wishing you a lovely day. :)

[@juliac3933]

this is absolutely brilliant

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

Thanks very much! :)

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

From Cecilia RS: "Hi, Love this video. I'm a real fan of hybrid techniques, I use them a lot and love to experiment with knitting and crocheting at the same time. . I've seen others use this same technique on ravelry. I love that the cable looks more clean and less bulky than the standard crochet cable. I'm a real fan of hybrid techniques, I use them a lot and love to experiment with knitting and crocheting at the same time. . How did you start your little swatch? it looks like you are using waistcoat stitches. Is this true? Or partial tunisian crochet when you insert the hook into the v's of the sc. Anyway, how does this technique work on a flat swatch? In your video, It appears you are working in the round to make the cable easier to create because you are working from the front. How would you accomplish the same cable look on a flat swatch? I would imagine you'd keep the live stitches on stitch holder then work your way back and create the cable from behind the work like knitters do? There are several European ravelers using this technique but none have videos on how it works so your video is VERY MUCH APPRECIATED! thank you again."

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

Hi again Cecilia - your comment reached my inbox but for some reason will not appear on this page, so I copied and pasted it here. Yes, this is a hybrid technique. :) My foundation "row" in the video is a strip of back loop only slip stitch ribbing; I'm working into the row ends. There are indeed some great crochet cable patterns on Ravelry, but, as far as I'm aware, this particular technique has not appeared there before. It is, to the best of my knowledge, new in the crochet world. (I wonder if you're thinking of Tanja Osswald's patterns? I believe she uses slip stitch crochet for her very stunning cable work.) The rest of your questions are answered below. Thanks again for commenting! :)

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

Thanks! There will definitely be more patterns - I'm writing a book on the topic. I hope to make more videos too as time allows and the technique continues to develop.

[@angelique82mon]

It appears that there is always that one "stitch" behind the cables. When the cables are next to each other, and then cross, there is just that one back stitch for 6 cable stitches? I'm having the issue of the work being slightly bunched together and if there were a way to get two "stitches" in the back I feel this problem would be fixed. Am I just missing something? I really love this idea. I saw your article on interweave and it was an immediate "ah-ha!" Really innovative work!

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

Hi Angelique! The "stitch" behind the cables is really the top of the stitch that comes immediately after the cables, and yes, it's just one. It helps to realize that these cables will never lie flat the way knitted cables do in knitted fabric. Live Loop cables naturally rise to the surface of the fabric, and curl into a tube-like shape, more like an I-cord than a flat cable. So it's not really a problem to have just one stitch-top passing behind 6 loops. It's natural for fabric to bunch near the cable cross area, as there is a lot of tension in that spot. If the bunching is very bad, you can always chain 1 just before you pull up the cable loops - that can relax things a bit. Just remember that the ch-1 is not a "real" stitch - you don't want it to interfere with the stitch count, or accidentally work into it on a following round. Another way to minimize bunching is to work a row of 0 stitches between cables, both before and after the cable cross row. This slows down the cable's movement and, again, allows the fabric to be a bit more relaxed. You can also experiment with tightening up the tension of the non-cable stitches, and/or drawing up slightly taller cable loops. Perhaps a shorter background stitch would help. There are so many variables with this technique! Thanks for commenting, and happy crocheting. :)

[@dable999]

Your demonstration of the technique is excellent. What types of yarn do you recommend for the best results? I am having trouble preventing the cable stitches from dropping. Am I correct in assuming this technique requires stitch holders when working with smooth yarns?

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

I've been using 100% wool yarns - some superwash, but mainly regular wool. I've also used one alpaca blend. I tried one pure alpaca yarn, but it was too slippery - not only did the loops fall out, but the fabric couldn't keep its structure. So I've been sticking with wool. My original attempts were in acrylic, which also worked, but regular wool has a bit of "grip" to it that really helps the loops behave. Re stitch holders: you can get along without them, but for very smooth yarns, they're decidedly helpful. You may find, as I did, that as you progress in this technique you don't need stitch holders all the time. But I do strongly recommend them for cable cross rows and the rows immediately after them. Thanks for commenting!

[@lunawilder6703]

This is escaping me, but I insist I'm going to get it. I have no idea where to go for help on this technique. I have question, is it possible to do these cables in rows...or are they only worked in rounds? Of they can be worked in rows how do you do the return row? Do you crochet behind the live loops or include them in the return?

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

Hi Luna! Thanks for commenting. There is no place to go for help because this is a brand-new technique of my own. You can find a phototutorial on this technique in the current issue of Interweave Crochet (Fall 2017), also two patterns that use it. I'll post more information in the future as I continue to develop the technique. Again, thank you for commenting.

[@medea1732]

That's so smart ... absolutely stunning! ... I searched for your introduced book on the internet but couldn't find it yet ... when will it be available?

[@nyperi13]

very cool!!! I hope you create a course with perhaps a work-a-long project included within the course (mittens, socks) -- thank you :)

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

You're welcome and thanks for commenting! I will probably post a pattern (with photo and/or video tutorial) on my blog sometime; I'm also writing a book on the technique. I'd love to do a video course too at some point. :)

[@Ninfaeco16]

Could you translate it in spanish, please? Thank you

[@MrsMicawberCrochets]

I'm sorry, but I don't speak Spanish well enough to translate. I hope you can follow by watching the pictures. Thank you for commenting!