A knitting stitch for rope (5)

I believe the answer is:

cable

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'for rope' is the definition.
(cable is a kind of rope)

I cannot understand how the remainder of the clue works.

(Other definitions for cable that I've seen before include "Wire, flex" , "Heavy chain or rope" , "Telegraph" , "Liberal Democrat" , "This may pull car up" .)

I've seen this clue in the Sydney Morning Herald.

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