Both the 1/1/1 LPC and its counterpart – the 1/1/1 RPC – are quicker without a cable needle (or, in this case, TWO cable needles). We’ve outlined a TON of steps but that’s really just to be super-detailed. Once you try it, you’ll find several places where you can do two steps as one.

Special thanks to Sweet Paprika for providing their Andante yarn in the Azul colorway for these pictures.

But before we dive into the tutorial, let’s review what a 1/1/1 LPC is like WITH a cable needle.

1/1/1 LPC WITH a Cable Needle

Here are the traditional instructions. Yes, you seriously need TWO cable needles.

Sl 1^st st to cn and hold to front, sl 2^nd st to a second cn and hold to back, k 3^rd st, p 2^nd st from cn, k 1^st st from cn.

Now, let’s do it without a cable needle. Remember, we have lots of steps but that’s just to make it very detailed for you. Once you get the hang of it, the 1/1/1 LPC without a Cable Needle really isn’t that hard.

1/1/1 LPC WITHOUT a Cable Needle

Step 1: With yarn in BACK, sl next st to RN.

Step 2: With yarn in FRONT, sl next st to RN.

Step 3: Knit next st. Move working yarn to the front.

Step 4: Take the LN, and FROM THE BACK, slip it under the 2^nd st on the RN. This part will feel odd and be difficult at first.

Step 5: On the RN, take that first st OFF the needle. It’ll be hanging in the air, so be sure to pinch it to hold it by holding it in THE FRONT.

Step 6: Take the st that you worked with in Step 4, and move it from both needles to just being on the LN.

Step 7: Take the stitch that you pinched in Step 5 and replace it on the RN. Snug up the working yarn to get rid of the extra slack.

You now have 2 knit sts on the RN and a purl st on the LN.

Step 8: Move the working yarn to the BACK.

Step 9: Take the LN, and FROM THE FRONT, slip it under the 2^nd st on the RN. This part will feel odd and be difficult at first.

Step 10: On the RN, take that first st OFF the needle. It’ll be hanging in the air, so be sure to pinch it to hold it by holding it in THE BACK.

Step 11: Take the st that you worked with in Step 9, and move it from both needles to just being on the LN.

Step 12: Take the stitch that you pinched in Step 10 and replace it on the RN. Snug up the working yarn to get rid of the extra slack.

Now you have the 3^rd st in the first position on the RN.

Looking at your LN, you have a knit st followed by a purl st. They need to be swapped.

Step 13: With yarn in BACK, slip next st to the RN.

Step 14: Purl next st.

Step 15: Move the working yarn to THE BACK. Take the LN, and FROM THE FRONT, slip it under that 2^nd st on the RN.

Step 16: On the RN, take that first st OFF the needle. It’ll be hanging in the air, so be sure to pinch it to hold it by holding it in THE BACK.

Step 17: Take the st that you worked with in Step 15, and move it from both needles to just being on the LN.

Step 18: Replace the pinched stitch on the RN and snug. Knit next st.

You’re done! You’ve now swapped the 2 knit stitches and the purl in the middle has stayed in the same place.

Here’s how it looks after working another row.