TM,
Cable, very hot topic! I had some old cotton thread. It was a bit to thin to look good, and NOT very water proof or abrasion resistant. So I went to the fabric store and got two types of thread, neither of which are what I wanted.
Cotton embroidery thread looks perfect for size and multi stranded wire rope look, but it is also cotton and won't wear good.
The other stuff I got is nylon coat and button thread. I think it is just a bit to fine and doesn't show up as well as a larger fatter thread does.
So, if you have some ideas, let me hear it...
Jim