10 Free Cable Knitting Patterns for Beginners!
Expand your knitting skills with knit cables!
10 Free Cable Knitting Patterns for Beginners!
Cable knitting patterns can look very intimidating. I remember the first time I started with cables… I cried while I frogged my first 10 inches! It turns out that I start with a more advanced pattern before I knew anything about the technique. Yikes!
Today I’m here to help ease you into knitting cables.
There are many cable knitting patterns online and it can be hard to spot beginner-friendly ones.I made sure to fill today’s list with 10 amazing cable knitting patterns that beginners like you can enjoy making!
I’ve arranged the patterns according to complexity which means that you can take your time browsing and before choosing your favorite cable knitting patterns from this list. Ready to expand your knitting knowledge? Keep scrolling!
What You Need for Cable Knitting Patterns
Cable knitting patterns typically need a few special tools that you may not already have in your stash. So let’s talk about them!
- Knitting needles – Knitting needles are a must-have for these gorgeous knitting patterns. You can find the right needle gauge in the beginning of each pattern or on your yarn’s label!
Pro tip: Wood knitting needles are “grabbier” than slick metal knitting needles. Try reaching for wood or bamboo needles that will help the stitches stay on your needles and will keep the accidental slipped stitches to a minimum.
- Cable needles – Cable needles hold stitches and help you rearrange them on the needles to create the cables we all know and love! You can also opt for large knitting safety pins. These are AMAZING for holding stitches in place when you’re taking a break or working on one side of your cable patterns!
- Yarn – Make sure to check the pattern to see what yarn weight to use. You can typically find all of the details on your yarn band or in the “suggested yarn” section of the free cable knitting patterns you’re following!
- Scissors – A pair of scissors is another important tool that you will use for all of your knitting projects. You’ll need them to cut the yarn when you’re done!
- Stitch markers – You might need stitch markers to keep track of where you are if you’re following a tricky stitch pattern. Stitch markers will be your best friends when it comes to keeping tract of your stitch count. Opt for stitch markers that close. This makes sure they stay where they’re anchored for the duration of your stitch repeats! You can also use yarn strands to mark stitches, but I don’t recommend those as you can easily pull out the strand as you work along.
- Yarn/darning needle – You will need a yarn needle or darning needle to sew in the loose ends. Pro tip: Have a few bent tip tapestry needles on hand. These are fantastic for weaving yarn ends through thick cable stitches!
- Chart keeper! Chart keepers store patterns and also have magnets that help you keep track of which row you’re on. Cable patterns can get complicated quickly so it’s a great idea to have as many tools to keep it as simple as possible.
- Free cable knitting patterns – Make sure to pick out your favorite cable knitting patterns on the list!
10 Free Cable Knitting Patterns for Beginners!
Adding cables to your knits can quickly elevate the whole look. Cables can be complicated and they’re definitely not for total beginners. BUT! They’re not impossible by any means.
Today we’ve got a great selection of beginner-friendly pattern that will get you used to some of the unusual techniques unique to cable knitting.
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1. Delicate Cable Scarf
By: Purl Soho
YARN: Worsted
SIZE: 13″ wide x 66″long
Your first cable knit scarf doesn’t have to be uber complicated. This is a great example of a cable knit scarf pattern that is easy for beginner knitters too.
This is a simple design that focuses on garter stitch with simple, thin cables crisscrossing the fabric.
Just imagine all the looks you’ll be serving with this wrapped around you neck!
2. Reversible Rivulet Scarf
By: Purl Soho
YARN: Aran
SIZE: 6″ (8″, 10″) wide x 70″ long
Looking for a cable knit scarf that has more texture? Then this Reversible Rivulet Scarf is the one you want!
This beautiful pattern is mostly knit ribbing with ocassional simple cables, creating a repeat that’s easy to read and follow.
It’s made using worsted weight Alpaca wool, so you just know it’s soft and snuggly too!
3. Mug Cozy – Celtic Saxon Braid Cable
By: Kristen McDonnell
YARN: Aran
SIZE: Unspecified
Celtic cables are gorgeous, GORGEOUS patterns. But they can be quite challenging in a larger project!
This Mug Cozy – Celtic Saxon Braid Cable pattern is the perfect introduction to more intricate cable knitting patterns in small, fast project.
Smaller cable knitting patterns also allow you to take your time in observing how cable knitting patterns are created.
Also, this cup cozy is really cute! I’m going to make a stack of these for my coworkers so we can all match after our morning coffee runs!
4. Outlander Arm Warmers
By: Louise Bollanos
YARN: Aran + Lace
SIZE: Women’s small – medium
These Outlander Arm Warmers might just be the accessories you need to level up your outfits!
This is an advanced beginner knit that’s still within reach of a newer knitter. Once you learn how to knit in the round you’ll be able to whip up a pair of these cable knit arm warmers without too much difficulty.
5. Cable Beanie
By: Megan Hardison
YARN: Super Bulky
SIZE: One size – Adult
Based on personal experience, thicker cable knitting patterns such as this Cable Beanie can be a great first-time cable project!
The thick cable stitches are easier to see and there are fewer cable repeats to wrangle.
Hats are much faster to knit than, say, a cardigan or scarf! Plus, a chunky beanie is such a cute accessory.
6. Cable & Braided Beanies
By: Christine Rosen
YARN: Jumbo
SIZE: One size – Adult
Every knitter eventually develops their own unique way to work with cable knitting patterns — and soon you will too!
In the meantime, the Cable & Braided Beanies pattern uses big chunky knit cables to make quick, beautiful beanies that you can wear the second they’re off the needles!
Because you’re using jumbo yarn, the project works up SO fast and the stitches are super easy to see! Don’t forget to pick up a few pom pom makers to add an equally fluffy pompom to your beanies!
7. Cable Knit Ombre Leg Warmers
By: Joanne Loh
YARN: Bulky
SIZE: 5.25″ x 15.5″
Time for another cozy cable knit!
Cable knitting patterns like the Cable Knit Ombre Leg Warmers are perfect for colder days. You can pair them with leggings or boots for a chic vibe that works all year long. This cable pattern is slightly more complicated than the others in this list but it’s ballanced by how small and quick this project is.
8. Rosewood Scarf
By: Destiny Meyer
YARN: Worsted
SIZE: 8″ x 84″ [20 cm x 213 cm]
“What’s this? Another scarf?”
Not just a scarf! This is one of the most breathtaking cable knit scarves pattern I’ve ever seen. It has so much texture that it goes above and beyond ‘just a scarf’.
Chock full of elegant cables the twisting cables look like something right out of nature. I love the way the cables create a wavy edge too!
9. The Gaia Shawl
By: Leelee Knits
YARN: Worsted
SIZE: Wingspan : 74″ Depth : 42″
There’s still a couple more months before we start feeling the summer sun once again. While we wait, we need to keep ourselves cozy and warm!
The stunning Gaia Shawl is a beautiful cable pattern perfect for keeping warm on your days out.
This might be a slightly trickier pattern to follow. But the breathtaking shawl you end up with is truly worth all the time invested in making this breathtaking piece!
10. Coziest Cable Cardigan
By: Jessica Reeves Potasz
Yarn: Bulky
SIZES: Small – X Large
Ready for a larger project? Me too! This cable knit cardigan pattern might just be your first big cable knit project.
Don’t worry! The Coziest Cable Cardigan has large and loose cables that are easier for beginners to knit.
The finished cardigan is chunky, warm, and cozy — the perfect piece to layer over your favorite winter and spring OOTDs!
Easing into cables the right way!
Cable knitting patterns are absolutely beautiful but they can seem intimidating at first glance. The key is to ease into knitting cables. Start with doing one small project at a time!
Every knitter learns at their own pace and it’s worth getting the hang of cables before you cast on for bigger projects. It’s really hard to fix mistakes in cables so it’s best to avoid them in the first place.
I recommend starting with a small project like the lovely Outlander Arm Warmers or a pattern with fewer cables like the Delicate Cable Scarf. Both are breathtaking cable knitting patterns but won’t give you a headache while you work on them!
Not quite ready for cables? Check out our other pattern lists for simpler projects:
