31+ Free Cable Stitch Patterns To Knit (+ Tutorials)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.In this post, you will see 31+ Free cable stitch patterns to knit (plus tutorials).
Cable stitch patterns are one of the most popular knitting techniques that add texture and depth to any project.
They create a beautiful braided or twisted effect that can be used in a variety of knitting projects, including scarves, hats, and sweaters.
You may be new to cable knitting or an experienced knitter, but whatever the case, there will be some patterns included for you to try.
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced knitter, these patterns are sure to inspire you to create something beautiful.
So grab your knitting needles, a cable needle and let’s get started!
31+ Cable Stitch Patterns
Why should you try knitting cables?
Knitting cables is a rewarding technique that can transform your knitted projects from simple to stunning with just a few twists and turns of stitches.
Aside from traditional cables, there are many knit cable patterns.
Check out the patterns below, and you might find your next project.
4-Stitch Cable (To The Right)
In this post, you will see instructions on knitting an easy cable with a beautiful design on the front of the work.
It creates a unique fabric with simple twists and a texture perfect for various projects like headbands.
You only need 5.5 mm knitting needles, a cable needle, and Aran weight yarn to make a gauge swatch.
* Please note there are 7 other cable stitch patterns included in this tutorial page, including a 6-stitch Twisted Cable (To The Right), 6-stitch Twisted Cable (To The Left), 6-stitch Cable (To The Right), 6-stitch Cable (To The Left), 12 Stitch Cable and Cells.
Celtic Cable Dishcloth Knitting Pattern (+ Free PDF)
In this post, you will see an intricate Celtic cable knitting pattern.
Plus, a dishcloth knitting pattern.
Hand-knit dishcloths last a really long time and are easily washed to reuse again and again.
They also make great gifts for friends and family and can be knitted up in any color you like!
Medallion Moss Stitch Cable
In this post, you will see how to knit a unique cable.
Plus, a fingerless glove pattern to make using this stitch and ribbing on the underside.
The river run fingerless mitts knitting pattern is perfect for anyone who loves to knit cables!
Broken Cable Design
In this post, you'll see how to knit a broken cable.
Plus, it has a fingerless gloves-free pattern.
The mittens are knit flat, with the top side featuring a broken cable design and the underside in stockinette stitch.
Staghorn Cable Design
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a staghorn cable.
It's a great stitch pattern for various projects.
Plus, in this post, you will find a fingerless glove pattern to make.
Double Cable Design
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a double cable design.
Plus, a fingerless glove pattern to make with this stitch.
The knit fingerless mitten pattern is perfect for anyone who loves to knit cables!
Honeycomb Cable
In this post, you will see how to knit a honeycomb cable.
Plus, there is a shrug pattern to make with this stitch.
This cable shrug knitting pattern will allow you to create a shrug with this cabled design.
Bookmark Knitting Pattern (Celtic Cable)
In this post, you will see a bookmark knitting pattern with a different variation of the Celtic cable design.
This is a fun project and a great way to use scrap yarn in your stash.
A bookmark is one of the easiest things to knit, and this cable knit will be a treasured keepsake.
Four Stitch Cable
This Geillis fingerless gloves pattern will allow you to practice a 4-stitch cable and the finished mitts will look great made in any color.
I wanted to share with you another free knitting pattern that has been inspired by the TV show Outlander.
This is the perfect accessory for any Outlander fan and a great project if you love knitting cables.
Five Stitch Cable And Bobble Design
The herb garden cable knit mittens pattern is perfect for anyone who loves to knit cables!
The pair of mittens are knit flat, featuring a 5-stitch cable with a bobble design.
The thumb section is then knit in the round.
Six Stitch Cable
In this blog post, you will see the teapot cozy knitting pattern.
This teapot cozy knitting pattern includes a 6-stitch cable and twisted stitches that give the appearance of cables without using a cable needle to create them.
This is knit in two pieces and stitched together, leaving openings for the handle and spout.
Perfect for all tea lovers.
Six Stitch Cable - Cable Forward And Cable Back
This Lallybroch fingerless mitten knitting pattern is perfect for anyone who loves to knit cables!
The mittens are knit flat, featuring an intricate cable design.
The thumb section is then knit in the round.
Easy Six Stitch Cable / Blanket Pattern
In this post, you will see a chunky cable knit blanket pattern.
The blanket is really huge and squishy, perfect for those cold autumn/winter days.
Celtic Cable Knit In The Round
This Celtic cable fingerless gloves pattern will allow you to create a complicated design while knitting in the round.
I wanted to share with you another free knitting pattern that has been inspired by the TV show Outlander.
Make a pair of fingerless gloves with a beautiful Celtic cable stitch design to keep your hands cozy in the cooler months.
Diamond Cable
In this post, you will see a men’s Aran sweater knitting pattern.
This raglan sweater is knit in several cable stitch patterns with ribbed lower bands, neck, and cuffs.
Alongside the main diamond cable in the center of each panel, there are simple cable twists (fisherman’s ropes) on either side, then moss stitch borders.
Raised Circle Cable Stitch
In this post, you will see how to knit a unique cable design.
This is an intermediate pattern, great for more experienced knitters.
Plus, there is a video tutorial to help you along.
Seed Stitch Horseshoe Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern by Broome Fields
In this blog post, you will see an interesting cable design.
This is a great pattern for experienced makers.
Plus, there is a video tutorial to help you along.
Cable Brioche - Left Cross by Knitting Stitches Org
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a cable pattern.
A fun design to experiment with is a reversible stitch, which means there is the same design in the back of the work.
Plus, the pattern is available as a free PDF.
Continuous Braided Cables Stitch by Knitting Kingdom
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a cable design with braids.
A breathtaking cable stitch pattern for various projects.
This is a great pattern for experienced makers.
Double Diamonds Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern by Broome Fields
In this blog post, you will see a unique cable pattern.
This cable design is the perfect project if you need a challenge.
Plus, there is a video tutorial to help you along.
Wave Cable Design by Learn Knitting Online
In this blog post, you will see how to knit the wave cable.
This stitch is also known as the ribbon stitch pattern.
It's an easy cable design, perfect if you are new to cable knitting.
Enclosed Ribbed Rope Cable Stitch by Knitting Bee
In this blog post, you will see how to knit an interesting cable design.
This a beautiful cable, perfect to adorn various projects.
A great pattern to try out.
Double-Braided Cable by Cable Knitting Stitches
In this blog post, you will see a beautiful cable design.
This cable design is perfect if you need a challenging project.
This stitch pattern is worked over 22 stitches.
Alternated Cable Stitch by Knit with Aabhar
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a unique cable stitch.
This is an excellent pattern for advanced knitters.
Plus, there is a chart to help you along.
The Large Horn Cable Stitch by New Stitch A Day
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a horn cable stitch.
This is an intermediate pattern, great for experienced makers.
Plus, there is a video tutorial to help you along.
Cable Hearts Knitting Pattern by Oh La Lana!
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a cable design with hearts.
This is perfect for various projects, especially for Valentine's Day.
Plus, there is a chart to help you along.
Basket Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern by Broome Fields
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a beautiful cable.
A unique cable that's perfect if you want to give a chunkier look to your projects
Plus, there is a video tutorial to help you along.
Floating Snake Cable Stitch by New Stitch A Day
In this blog post, you will see how to knit a fun cable design.
A fun cable for sweaters.
Plus, there is a video tutorial to help you along.
Horseshoe Cable
This cable knit dog sweater pattern can be made in three different sizes.
It is made in two pieces, knit flat (back and forth) on straight knitting needles; the turtleneck and sleeves are knit in the round, and then the main pieces are seamed.
Cable knit dog sweaters are a classic item that will make your dog look stylish and keep them cozy with timeless style.
Staghorn Cable Sweater
You will see a men’s chunky knit jumper knitting pattern in this post.
This thick sweater is a great project for intermediate knitters who love big squishy cables on jumpers.
Shoehorn Cable (6 Stitch Cable)
In this post, you will see a chunky cable knit sweater pattern.
This thick sweater is a great project for knitters who love cables!
Simple 4 Stitch Cable
In this post, you will see a cable-knit pumpkin pattern.
These pumpkins work quickly and can be a great way to use leftover yarns in your stash.
Knitting Cables
Teach yourself a new stitchy technique in cables if you are looking for a new challenge.
There are so many cable stitches available, from the easy C4F knitting (cable 4 forward) and C4B (cable 4 back) to more complicated designs like the Celtic plait.
In this pattern round-up, you will see a mixture of all skill levels.
If you have never attempted a cable in your knitting yet – this is the time to have a go!
Cable Stitch Patterns
For anyone new to cables, there is a cable stitch pattern guide that will help you to learn the most basic of cables.
This will help you to learn the basics and make swatches/samples of each cable design.
You can view the blog post in the list below or grab the E-book in my shop here.
What Is The Easiest Cable Stitch?
The easiest cable stitch for beginners is often the basic 1/1 (pronounced “one over one”) or 2/2 cable.
These cables involve crossing one or two stitches over another and are a great introduction to cable knitting.
Here are two simple cable stitches to get you started:
- 1/1 Right Cross (Cable 1 Back – C1B):
- Slip 1 stitch to a cable needle and hold it at the back of your work, knit the next stitch from the left needle, then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
- 1/1 Left Cross (Cable 1 Front – C1F):
- Slip 1 stitch to a cable needle and hold it at the front of your work, knit the next stitch from the left needle, then knit the stitch from the cable needle.
These 1/1 cables involve only two stitches, making them straightforward for beginners to practice.
As you become more comfortable with cable knitting, you can gradually progress to more intricate cable patterns involving larger stitch crosses and varied designs.
Start with these basic cables to build your confidence and understanding of the cable technique.
What Can You Knit With Cable Stitches?
Cable stitches offer a rich and textured dimension to an array of knitted creations, making them a versatile choice for a range of projects.
Sweaters and cardigans adorned with intricate cable panels exude a classic and sophisticated charm, elevating your handmade garments into timeless pieces.
The three-dimensional interlacing of cables also makes them a perfect choice for scarves and cowls, not only providing an extra layer of warmth but also adding a touch of visual interest and luxury to these accessories.
Whether you’re crafting hats, blankets, or mittens, the inclusion of cable stitches transforms everyday items into unique, hand-knit masterpieces, showcasing the artistry and skill of the knitter.
Furthermore, cable stitches shine in creating heirloom-quality items such as blankets and afghans, where the complex patterns contribute to both the aesthetic appeal and functional warmth of the finished product.
The versatility of cable stitches extends to smaller projects like socks, dishcloths, and baby items, allowing knitters to infuse their creations with a sense of artistry and personality.
Check out the free knitting patterns category for even more great ideas – Free Knitting Patterns
What Supplies Do You Need To Knit Cables?
To knit cables, you’ll need a few essential supplies.
First, acquire a cable needle, a short tool designed to temporarily hold stitches while you work other stitches to create the twists in cable patterns.
If you don’t have one, you can always use a double point needle.
It’s also a good idea to have a few stitch markers; they are helpful for keeping track of specific points in your pattern, and a clear understanding of your cable pattern, whether presented in written or chart form, is crucial.
Having a row counter can help track the rows, especially for more complex cable patterns, and a good grasp of basic knitting techniques is essential before attempting cables.
With these supplies, you’ll be ready to embark on the rewarding journey of knitting intricate and textured cable patterns.
Knitting Lessons
If you are a new knitter and need help with the knitting basics, check out these posts here and be your own knitting instructor – Knitting Lessons (With Video Tutorials).
There, you will find step-by-step tutorials for all the different knitting techniques a newbie needs to know.
Including how to cast on, how to bind off, how to knit the basic knit stitches, how to knit the knit stitch, the stockinette stitch, the rib stitch, the garter stitch, the mattress stitch, short rows, how to fix knitting mistakes, and a list of knitting abbreviations (UK + US terms), and more.
For easier projects, check out this pattern category. There, you will find a range of knitting patterns – Beginner Knitters
Plus, learn everything about the different yarn weights here, including ( worsted yarn, chunky yarn, super bulky yarn, and more) – Yarn Weight Guide {+ Conversion Chart}
Learn everything about yarn fibers here – Yarn Types Explained: A Guide To Different Fibers
And if you need more video tutorials to help you practice your basic knitting skills, check out my YouTube channel here – Handy Little Me – YouTube.
Easy Cable Knitting Patterns
- Chunky Cable Knit Blanket Pattern (Free Easy Throw)
- 20 Celtic Cable Knitting Patterns (Free)
- 30+ Free Cable Knitting Patterns
- Cable Knit Baby Blanket Pattern
- Chunky Celtic Cable Knit Sweater Pattern
- 17 Cable Knit Hat Patterns
- Cable Hat Free Knitting Pattern | The Bordeaux
- Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers
Could you share your work with us?
I love seeing your finished projects on social media.
If you enjoyed making any of these projects, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Handylittleme Facebook Group and share a photo.
You can also check out my Facebook page here.
You can also find us on Pinterest, Ravelry, and Twitter.
I’d love to see your work.
Happy Knitting!
