"Crochet Cable" Stitch, version 1

This stitch was found on the Lion Brand site. I could've sent you directly to the stitch, but I wanted you to see what an adorable little treasure trove it is. It's one of my favorite places to go when I get stuck or bored. Today, I wanted to play with a stitch but I wanted to use one I could show you where I found it. Also, I wanted to see how this "linking" thing worked. I told you - blogging is brand new to me.

*Proviso: on this specific pattern, I think the chart is wrong. It shows the fourth dc going into the same stitch as the first, but the written pattern says to use the skipped stitch.

To make it work in a connected round, I had to fiddle with it. Fitz. Mess. Muddle. Tweak. Alter. Modify. I'm not at all claiming this stitch pattern to be mine. I'm simply telling you how I managed to make it work for me.

The Barebones:
Multiples of 4 to lengthen or shorten
Beginning chain: multiple of 4 + 1
(using hdc as foundation)
Row 1: skip first chain. hdc in next stitch and across. Connect with slip stitch to first hdc.
Row 2: ch2, dc in same stitch. dc in next two stitches. Loosen your tension and dc in stitch behind first dc.
(skip one stitch. dc in next two stitches. dc in skipped stitch) until end. Connect with slip stitch to first dc made. Ignore the ch 2.

The notes:
On this particular stitch, YES, you NEED the ch2 at the beginning of each row. I found that without it, my first set looked squished and thin.
The first set is tricky to understand. The fourth dc is made in the LAST hdc of the first row. You're working behind the connecting slip stitch.
When connecting at the end of the row, be careful that you skip the ch2. Otherwise, you'll end up with an extra stitch.
Because of the "hole" created by the crossed stitch, the seam is nearly invisible in the completed item.

The uses:
It's a pretty stitch that is somewhat open yet somewhat warm. The crossed stitch leaves a gap but it also creates a thick texture where it's worked. In connected rounds like this, it's attractive as pretty much any of the standard uses: headband, cuffs, cowls, etc.

The numbers:
Using Red Heart Super Saver and a "J" Bates hook
Armwarmer: chain 29, hdc 28 . . . Row 2 (x 12)
Boot Cuff: chain 37, hdc 36 . . .  Row 2 (x 4)
Leg Warmer: chain 37, hdc 36 . . . Row 2 (x 20) . . . finish with row of hdc
Headband/Neckwarmer: chain 73, hdc 72 . . . Row 2 (x 2 for thin; x 4 for wide) . . . finish with row of hdc
Relaxed Neckwarmer: chain 89, hdc 88 . . . Row 2 (x 6)
Short Cowl: chain 129, hdc 128 . . . Row 2 (x 7; maybe x 10)
Typical Cowl: chain 161, hdc 169 . . . Row 2 (x whatever you think, really)

Three rows worked. Standard piece of paper under there so the stitches show a little better.

A quick-make set of boot cuffs to test the pattern. I quite like the way the eye flows over this.

A simple little hdc, 2 rows of repeat, hdc headband.