Cable Stitch (C4F / C4B)

Intermediate Cabled

Stitches crossed out of order using a cable needle to create rope-like twists on a stockinette background.

Work in stockinette stitch until you reach the cable row, over a background of purl stitches on either side of the cable stitches.
For a 4-stitch cable crossing left (C4F): slip the next 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold it at the front of your work.
Knit the next 2 stitches from the left needle as normal.
Knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle.
For a cable crossing right (C4B), hold the cable needle at the back of your work instead, then work the same two steps.
Continue in stockinette, repeating the cross every 4th, 6th, or 8th row as the pattern specifies, to build the twisted rope effect.

Holding the cable needle in front (C4F) makes the cable lean left; holding it in back (C4B) makes it lean right — the letter tells you which way the twist travels.
Cables pull fabric in widthwise, so cabled panels usually need a few extra stitches cast on compared to plain stockinette of the same width.
A short double-pointed needle, or even a spare straight needle, works fine as a cable needle if you don't have one shaped for it.