The cable stitch is an embroidery stitch worked similarly to back stitch, with the exception of the stitches stacked one above the other in a staggering pattern that resembles a cable.

This stitch is easy to work along a straight line or curve.

When working the stitch on evenweave in a straight line, worked the stitch in the gaps between the threads.

To work on a curve or on plainweave fabric, work the stitches above, and just below, the marked line.

To work the stitch, bring the needle up below the line at 1 and insert at 2.

Next, bring the needle up through the fabric above the line at 3, a 1/2 stitch distance from the first stitch, and down at 4.

Repeat across the line.

To work the stitch as a filling or band, cluster rows together, as I did in this article.

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