Today we are going to learn about cable knit fabric. I'm certain you have probably seen the cable knit design on various items before. It is a popular design often found on garments such as hats, leg warmers, headbands, sweaters and more.

Its design is appealing to the eyes as it offers texture in the form of a braided like 3D affect that sort of pops out at the viewer visually. It is a warm, insulating, double knit fabric thanks to the knitted technique process and is soft to the skin. It can be derived from natural or synthetic fibers such as cotton, wool or polyester blends to name a few and offers elasticity (stretch).

Let's take a closer look at the history of knitting to get a better understanding.

The word "Knitting" is derived from the word "Knot" where fabric is created by using some yarn and knitting needles in varying sizes. The origin of knitting is thought to have come from the middle east before travelling around the world via trade routes. It was deeply rooted in middle eastern culture therefore the designs and techniques were reflective of that sentiment and passed down throughout the generations.

Fibers such as sheep wool, alpaca, angora and even plant fibers would have been spun into yarn to create clothing essentials.

The knitting machine can be dated back as far as the 1500's and was put to use more so during the industrial revolution.

During times of war, hand knitting was favored more so as a way for women to destress, stay occupied and send homemade sentiments to their loved one's afar off.

Wash by hand or on a gentle cycle using mild soaps and air dry for best results. You may dry in the dryer if desired, just know the fiber content to account for the amount of possible shrinkage if doing so. Higher cotton content = more shrinkage.

If a fiber is snagged, you can pull the strand or strands back through to the backside and tie them off and it'll look as good as new!

Iron on the wool setting if pressing is needed.

There are a lot of sewing projects that work and look great with cable knit fabric. Here are a few of my favorites:

• Blankets
• Cardigans
• Dresses
• Hats and headbands
• Leg warmers
• Mittens
• Sweaters
• Scarves
• Socks

Any project you choose to use this with will automatically look stunning with little effort thanks to the unique look!

Let's sew something now using our cable knit fabric.

• Cable knit fabric.
• Portland Cocoon Cardigan from peek-a-boo pattern shop
• Sewing machine, thread, needle, scissors, clips or pins.

Always wash and dry your fabric before taking it to your cutting table.

Next, measure yourself or whomever you would like to make the cardigan for to get the approximate yardage of fabric needed according to the chart in the pattern. Cut out the pattern pieces based on your measurements and gather your supplies.

Now it's time to sew! This pattern calls for a 1/4" seam allowance.

Place the front and back cardigan pieces right sides together at the shoulder seams. Clip or pin in place and sew.

Take your sleeves and lay them on the upper edge of the arm right sides together. The widest edge of the sleeve is what we will be sewing to the cardigan. Clip or pin in place and sew.

Next, we will sew the front and back together beginning from the edge of the sleeve down the side seam. Clip or pin in place and sew.

Take the two cuff pieces and fold them over with right sides together as shown and clip or pin in place. Sew the sides.

Now, fold the cuffs in half with wrong sides together and slide the cuff onto the sleeve edge with right sides together and raw edges aligned.

*I like to sew my cuffs placed inside of the garment. The pattern shows it placed on the outside. Either works ok.

Cuffs are sewn on. Next, we will add our band to complete the cardigan.

Grab the two band pieces and place them right sides together, lining up the raw edges of the short ends. Clip or pin in place and sew together.

The band should now be a continuous loop, and we will fold it onto itself with wrong sides together so that the seams are enclosed.

To finish our cardigan, we will place the folded band onto the cardigan, lining up the raw edges. Place one seam at the top in the middle of the neck and the other seam down at the bottom middle. The notches on the sides should line up with one another. Clip or pin the band and cardigan together as shown and sew the raw edges, gently stretching around the neck area only.

The Portland cocoon cardigan is now complete! If you would like to topstitch the band, you may.

Next, we will sew the front and back together beginning from the edge of the sleeve down the side seam. Clip or pin in place and sew.

Flannel is more fragile in the sense that its weave is typically looser. Always finish off your edges to prevent fraying. Try to avoid seam ripping as well as this may create unwanted holes and fraying in your fabric/project.

Flannel will become softer with each wash.

Directional patterns on flannel such as plaid or tartan will require more yardage so that everything lines up on the final product. It is also a good rule of thumb to purchase extra anyway in the event of mishaps or shrinkage.

Flannel fabric is perfect for winter due to its exceptional warmth and insulation. Its softness and breathability ensure comfort, even in colder temperatures. With a wide range of colors and patterns, flannel offers both functional and fashionable winter clothing options.

You may have thought that flannel only came in plaid or tartan patterns, but it can be of a solid color or even have a print design printed onto it. Cotton flannel sheets for your bed aren't only used for the chilly months but can be used all year around if you choose. It is great to use for baby accessories and would make a thoughtful gift for someone expecting! Any leftover scraps of flannel you may accumulate would be put to good use by making a quilt or some holiday decor which is practically zero waste if you are a crafty individual and have multiple projects to use it for.

I recently finished sewing up a shacket for myself just prior to writing this article and I'm excited to wear it! I also love the sound of flannel bedding sheets and will most definitely source some out. A few other items I have made are pajama pants, burp cloth's, even a cute little skirt for my daughter when she was younger all out of flannel and it worked out great!

Whatever project you decide to use your flannel on, I'm sure you will love it, keeping in mind what we've learned above in this article: Flannel comes in different weights, different types, different colors and designs and it is incredibly soft and comfortable. With proper care, it will last a long time which is a cost-efficient bonus in today's economy.

To wrap up, flannel fabric is a versatile and timeless apparel fabric that offers warmth and comfort. Its unique characteristics and rich history make it a popular choice for a variety of applications, ranging from clothing to home decor. Understanding the different types of flannel fabric and how it is woven can help you make informed choices when purchasing or caring for your flannel items. Whether you're snuggling up in a flannel blanket or sporting a cozy flannel shirt, this fabric is sure to keep you warm and stylish during the winter months. Embrace the softness and durability of flannel and enjoy its many benefits for years to come.

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