This cable is traditionally worked as follows: Slip 3 sts on to a cable needle and leave at back 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 in front of the work:

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

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

Repeat for the third stitch:

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

Your cable is complete! Now that you've mastered the simple cable twists, it's time to try something a bit more tricky: the seven stitch twisted rib cable.