Cable Afghan

A friend asks me to make her an afghan that looked like a cable knit sweater.  I couldn't knit her one, but I could crochet one for her - as soon as I wrote a pattern.  This is that pattern.

Size I hook - or size required to get gauge.

4 Rows = 2.5 inches

20 stitch section between cables = 8 inches

96 ounces worsted weight yarn.

Chain 198 Loosely

Row 1:  DC in fourth chain from cook (3 skipped count as first DC).  DC in each chain across.

Row 2:  CH 3 (Counts as first HDC, now and throughout)  Turn.  DC in next 9 stitches.  Skip next 3 stitches, Front Post Triple Crochet (FPTC) in next three DC.  Working in front of 3 FPTC just made, work FPTC around three FPTC just made.  *DC in next 20 stitches.  Skip next 3 stitches, Front Post Triple Crochet (FPTC) in next three DC.*  Repeat from * to * 6 times.  DC in last 20 stitches.  

These FPTC are the beginning of your cables:

Row 3:  CH 3, Turn.  DC in next 9 stitches. Work BPDC in next 6 stitches.  *DC in next 20 stitches.  Work BPDC in next 6 stitches.*  Repeat from * to * 6 times.  DC in last 20 stitches.  

Row 4:  CH 3, Turn.  DC in next 9 stitches. Work FPDC in next 6 stitches.  *DC in next 20 stitches.  Work BPDC in next 6 stitches.*  Repeat from * to * 6 times.  DC in last 20 stitches.  

Row 5:  CH 3, Turn.  DC in next 9 stitches. Work BPDC in next 6 stitches.  *DC in next 20 stitches.  Work BPDC in next 6 stitches.*  Repeat from * to * 6 times.  DC in last 20 stitches.  

Repeat Rows 2 through 5 until desired length, ending with row 4.  Do Not Finish Off.

Edging:

Rnd 1:  Chain 1, turn;  sc evenly around entire Afghan working 3 sc in each corner.  Join with slip stitch to first SC.

Finish off.