The 2/2/2 Left Purl Cross (LPC) is a 6-stitch knitted cable. We commonly see 6-stitch cables where 3 stitches cross over 3 stitches, or 2 cross over 4 or vice versa. But the 2/2/2 LPC is a little different. This cable stitch has two cross-overs instead of just one. The two crosses are made over a purl background, giving this cable stitch depth and texture. I used this stitch in my Salt Water and Sea Stars shawl pattern. It makes an almost-star shape and reminds me of sea stars, or starfish and it also looks similar to the pretty design on a sand dollar. It was the perfect stitch to use with this beachy colour of yarn from Akara Yarns.
Tools
To work this cable you need two cable needles. It’s helpful to use two different types or shapes or colours. You will hold one to the back and the other to the front. You don’t want to mix them up while working the cable.
You could use stitch holders too. Place the stitches not being worked on a holder while you work the other stitches. Then move the stitches back to the knitting needle when it’s their turn to be worked.
I’ll be using the two different shaped cable needles shown above on the left. I’ll work the stitches directly from the blue needle but the red one isn’t conducive to that so I’ll put those stitches back on the knitting needle to work them.
Working the 2/2/2 LPC
The 2/2/2 LPC is worked over six stitches as follows:
- First, you will move 4 of the stitches onto the two cable needles. Slip stitches purlwise onto the cable needles. Slip stitches 1 and 2 to one of the cable needles and hold it to the front. Next, slip stitches 3 and 4 to the other cable needle and hold it to the back. Stitches 5 and 6 remain on the LH needle.
- Next, knit stitches 5 and 6 from the LH needle. Then slip stitches 3 and 4 (purlwise) back onto the LH needle and purl them both. Or, purl them directly from the cable needle, depending on the type of cable needle used.
- Finally, knit stitches 1 and 2 directly from the cable needle. Or, slip them back onto the LH needle if they were being held on something else and then knit them. The 6-stitch 2/2/2 Left Purl Cross is now complete.
Additional Resources
I didn’t find many resources on the Internet for this cable stitch. But I did find one YouTube video that does a great job of showing it:
- 2/2/2 LPC Cable, by KnitShareLove: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rOw58Fyid_k
I hope you enjoy creating this pretty, textured cable stitch as much as I do!