This cable is traditionally worked as follows: Slip 3 sts on to a cable needle and leave at front of work, knit next 3 sts, then knit 3 sts from cable needle.

To work without a cable needle:

Insert the tip of the right needle through the second three stitches of the cable behind the work:

Slip the left needle out of the six cable stitches (the second three stitches remain on the right needle):

Slip the left needle back through the first three stitches in front of the work:

With the first three stitches on the left needle, pull the needle back to the left to twist the cable:

Insert the tip of the left needle through the first stitch on the right needle and take it off the right needle:

Repeat for the second stitch:

And for the third stitch:

All your cable stitches, now twisted, are back on the left needle:

Knit the six cable stitches:

Knit the six cable stitches:

Knit the six cable stitches:

Your cable is complete! Now we can move on to the six stitch right twist cable.