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Power Cables: The Ultimate Guide to Knitting Inventive Cables
From simple to sculptural, the original cable patterns explored in this must-have resource create a foundation of techniques for designing signature knitwear. Basic twisted stitches, complex interpretations of cables, reversible cables, adding texture and color, turning stitches around, constructing cables with I-cord, and wrapping stitches to create the illusion of cables are some of the integrated techniques detailed in this guide. Contained within are more than 15 original cable patterns for pullovers, jackets, bags, socks, and accessories. Also included is information on a new charting system for predicting cable behavior as well as tips on cabling without a cable needle, choosing the best yarns for specific cable effects, and designing original cable patterns.
176 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2010
13 people are currently reading
89 people want to read
About the author
Lily Chin
14 books5 followersPublished as Lily M. Chin and Lily Chin
Lily Chin, named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting International, has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for nearly 25 years, and she has worked with designers Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi. Her work has been on the backs of celebrities and super models, from Racquel Welch and Vanna White to Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, The Urban Knitter, and Mosaic Magic, and she has written the “On Designing” column for Knitter’s Magazine and the annual “Focus on Fibers” report for Knit ‘n Style.
Lily also is the reigning champion fastest crocheter in the world, a title she defended in October 2004 at the world championships in London. Lily Chin regularly appears as a spokesperson for the yarn industry in media across the U.S., including Time, the New York Times, USA Today, the David Letterman Show, the CBS Early Show, DIY’s Knitty Gritty, E! Style Network’s Craft Corner Death Match, Lifetime’s Handmade by Design, HGTV’s Sew Much More, and CNN.
Lily Chin has lived in New York City nearly all her life and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was educated at Queens College, City University of New York.
Lily Chin, named a “Master Knitter” by Vogue Knitting International, has designed knitwear for magazines and yarn companies for nearly 25 years, and she has worked with designers Ralph Lauren, Vera Wang, Diane von Furstenberg, and Isaac Mizrahi. Her work has been on the backs of celebrities and super models, from Racquel Welch and Vanna White to Cindy Crawford and Naomi Campbell. She is the author of Knit and Crochet with Beads, The Urban Knitter, and Mosaic Magic, and she has written the “On Designing” column for Knitter’s Magazine and the annual “Focus on Fibers” report for Knit ‘n Style.
Lily also is the reigning champion fastest crocheter in the world, a title she defended in October 2004 at the world championships in London. Lily Chin regularly appears as a spokesperson for the yarn industry in media across the U.S., including Time, the New York Times, USA Today, the David Letterman Show, the CBS Early Show, DIY’s Knitty Gritty, E! Style Network’s Craft Corner Death Match, Lifetime’s Handmade by Design, HGTV’s Sew Much More, and CNN.
Lily Chin has lived in New York City nearly all her life and has been involved in some aspect of the fashion industry since age 13. She attended the Fashion Institute of Technology, and was educated at Queens College, City University of New York.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
December 2, 2011
Lily Chin is without a doubt one of the most inventive and intelligent knitwear designers alive today. This book covers different types of cables, faux cables, cabled ribbing. . . she had me right up to the point where she started discussing her new method of charting cables.
Really Lily? Another new method of charting? It may be brilliant and better than any of the other methods in use today but I will never know. I can't manage one more new method of anything right now, much less a completely new method of charting.
My eyes are a few decades older than yours and those tiny little symbols get harder to read with every project. Then there is remembering to start at the bottom right of the chart and read the odd numbered lines from right to left and the even numbered lines left to right. Skipping back and forth from repeats of the chart to written instructions, writing notes to keep my place. That works until my notes become unreadable or lost.
Oh sure I could enlarge the chart but then I need distance lenses to see the pages furthest from where I'm sitting, bifocals to see the pages closest to me and psychic abilities to intuit the pages in the middle which I can't see at all.
It's a lovely book and there are many projects I would consider knitting but until a Ravelry member translates your charts into the current charting method I'll admire them from afar.
Really Lily? Another new method of charting? It may be brilliant and better than any of the other methods in use today but I will never know. I can't manage one more new method of anything right now, much less a completely new method of charting.
My eyes are a few decades older than yours and those tiny little symbols get harder to read with every project. Then there is remembering to start at the bottom right of the chart and read the odd numbered lines from right to left and the even numbered lines left to right. Skipping back and forth from repeats of the chart to written instructions, writing notes to keep my place. That works until my notes become unreadable or lost.
Oh sure I could enlarge the chart but then I need distance lenses to see the pages furthest from where I'm sitting, bifocals to see the pages closest to me and psychic abilities to intuit the pages in the middle which I can't see at all.
It's a lovely book and there are many projects I would consider knitting but until a Ravelry member translates your charts into the current charting method I'll admire them from afar.
August 31, 2012
This book intrigued me from the start, but there were parts of it I didn't understand at first. I started through it about a year and a half ago, and in the meantime I knitted a sweater with lots of traditional cable work. That seemed to open up the concepts in Power Cables for me, and helped me realize that Lily Chin is a knitting genius.
I still had to knit quite a few swatches to fully understand some of the concepts. (I have yet to catch on to the yarnover method of brioche rib.)
Not a book for beginners. Get a solid feel for cables and even some colorwork. Then, when you're ready to expand your skills, pick up this one. Have scrap yarn and needles at the ready and remember you learn more by doing than by reading.
Brilliant book!
I still had to knit quite a few swatches to fully understand some of the concepts. (I have yet to catch on to the yarnover method of brioche rib.)
Not a book for beginners. Get a solid feel for cables and even some colorwork. Then, when you're ready to expand your skills, pick up this one. Have scrap yarn and needles at the ready and remember you learn more by doing than by reading.
Brilliant book!
January 3, 2024
I woke at 1:50 am with severe jet lag from international travel and thought a knitting book involving lots of numbers and counting would put me back to sleep straight away. Instead, I read the entire book! Lots of photos, charts, and graphics—though some are too small to see as clearly as need be. The book's design could be a little tighter as there was a lot of referring to techniques or swatches that was on another page. I'm a fairly experienced knitter but even I found several techniques in the glossary section that were very clearly explained! This is not a book for beginners but if you have familiarity with cabling, the way the author explains the concepts will make you excited to try some swatches or just jump right into one of the 15 projects. And out of the 15 garments (really 16, as one project is a hat and mitten set), I want to do half of them, which means I can return this library book and buy my own copy!
August 1, 2018
good review of cable techniques and some great projects - mostly I was not excited by the projects however I was interested in some of the porjects and review of multi color and reversible cables.
March 20, 2025
Why did I read this
I can't knit
I can't knit
September 22, 2023
It's a beautiful book to look at; nicely laid out, very clear text, etc.
Not loving the new cable layout; sure it's aesthetically pleasing, but I found myself having to second-guess every crossing when I glanced at it.
The cables are very nice; the projects, like most modern knitwear books, are mostly mediocre with a few gems. I would borrow this out from the library; it most likely isn't worth the money for cable stitch patterns you can find on Google.
Not loving the new cable layout; sure it's aesthetically pleasing, but I found myself having to second-guess every crossing when I glanced at it.
The cables are very nice; the projects, like most modern knitwear books, are mostly mediocre with a few gems. I would borrow this out from the library; it most likely isn't worth the money for cable stitch patterns you can find on Google.
June 3, 2010
I loved this book. When I first picked it up I practically drooled. The projects and illustrations made me want to grab my knitting needles and dive in headfirst. Cables. They scared me, but not with Lily Chin's instructions and chartng system. I brought it to my knitting class, and my instructor went to work on the Five Way Cabled Shrug. All of us were transfixed as she whipped out a pink vision of lovliness. Wow.
All of the charts help you see which direction the cable goes in and combined with the written instruction, make it workable. I think as more of a beginner, I could have used a bit more written out, but overall, this book is going on the favorite shelf in my knitting library. If you love to knit, fear cables no more!
All of the charts help you see which direction the cable goes in and combined with the written instruction, make it workable. I think as more of a beginner, I could have used a bit more written out, but overall, this book is going on the favorite shelf in my knitting library. If you love to knit, fear cables no more!
February 21, 2014
Miss Lily has another winner. Very concise and approachable book about knitting cables in many different ways. Really great book for designing specialty cables, such as reversible cables. Wonderful reference book and witty as well (some knitting authors do have senses of humor). This is an excellent reference book for intermediate and experienced knitters.
August 16, 2010
An excellent reference for those new to knitting cables and for the knitwear designer. The patterns in here are easy to follow, the cable charting system clear and understandable, and the tone light and breezy.
September 7, 2010
Every way to make a cable, including several kinds of reversible cables. It doesn't have *lots* of stitch patterns, but it will help you design your own or modify a stitch pattern into something much more.
March 7, 2011
I didn't really see anything I wanted to make in here, so I just skimmed through the book. Glad I got it from the library and didn't buy it.
May 15, 2011
The 5 way cable stole and the brioche shawl are both interesting and knit worthy. I might buy this book since Lily Chin has a unique way of creating cables.
August 10, 2016
Cables galore in rich colors.
April 14, 2015
My new bible
I'm in love with this book! It is almost the total package (hey, it doesn't cook, do laundry or wash Windows...but a woman can hope) definitely worth every penny!
I'm in love with this book! It is almost the total package (hey, it doesn't cook, do laundry or wash Windows...but a woman can hope) definitely worth every penny!
November 24, 2016
This book a lot of great patterns and easy to follow patterns; in chart and written form.
January 21, 2012
Great guide to all things cable. Definitely goes on my Amazon wishlist.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews