If I understand correctly, you are saying that you keep the cable stitches on the cable needle at all times. I only put the cable stitches on the cable needle on the row that I am twisting the cable.

It kind of sounds like you are saying that once you have the cable stitches on the cable needle, that you are not knitting them until it's time to twist the cable. You should be knitting or purling those stitches along with the rest of the row(s).

When you "twist" a cable, you don't actually turn or twist the stitches on the cable needle. You simply skip the stitches you have on the cable needle, knit the same amount of stitches as there are on the cable needle, then knit the stitches from the cable needle. I hope that didn't sound too confusing.

No I've been putting stitches on needle and (cable needle) and knitting off of it on every row but ..... which way do you knit from the cable needle? From the right side or the left side? I just can't figure out why my cables are turning out funny.

It will be much easier if you only put the stitches on the cable needle on the row that you will twist the cable. If you are right handed you will knit the stitches from the right end of the needle.

Relax. Cables can be intimidating. But once you get the hang of it they'll look better. I promise.

Cables are fun and easy to do. You should not use the cable needle until you reach the row where the actual cable is made. Follow the instructions on your pattern and you won't go wrong. When you get to the cable twisting row, you knit up to the cable stitches, put the first half of the cable stitches onto the cable needle and hold the needle either in the front or the back of your work as the pattern directs. Then you skip over the stitches on the cable needle and you knit the other half of the cable. After you do that, you knit the stitches off the cable needle, and then go along the row. It will feel tight as you knit off the cable needle. You will get a different look if you hold the cable needle in back or in front of the work. There are many different kinds of cables.

I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. I was "twisting" the cable in every row and I was knitting only the stitches off the cable needle and purling the rest. I realize you have to knit also some stitches near the cable (needle). Thanks for your suggestions. :)

Okay now I've got the cables going good.... but I'm having trouble with the background stitches. I've heard purl is the best background stitch near a cable because it helps the cable "pop" out but my purling stitches with my cables haven't looked right. You just purl back and front back and front right? What am I doing wrong? It doesn't look like neat loops it looks like braids and loops but I'm only purling these stitches not knitting? :)

You purl only in one way, not "back and front." Look at the videos and charts on stitchguide.com.