How to cable knit: beginner’s guide and 24 cable stitch patterns

2. V-shaped cable needle

3. U-shaped cable needle

4. Flexible cable needle

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Cable stitch abbreviations

The world of cables can be confusing, especially if you see an abbreviation you’ve not done before. Sometimes cables can be called twists, so you might see T4F rather than C4F, but they often mean the same thing.

If you’re working from a pattern, it should give you an explanation of the abbreviation and how to work the stitch. In case you do see a term you don’t know, here’s a guide to explain some of the cabling and twisting techniques you might come across.

As you read through all these different cabling techniques, you’ll see that some twists work with odd numbers of stitches, while others create rib-effect cables by mixing up knit and purl stitches. There are near-endless possibilities for cabling and twisting stitches to create all sorts of effects!

C2B: Cable 2 Back
Slip next st to cable needle and hold at back of work, K1 from left needle, then K1 from cable needle.

C2F: Cable 2 Front
Slip next st to cable needle and hold at front of work, K1 from left needle, then K1 from cable needle.

C3B: Cable 3 Back
Slip next st to cable needle and hold at back of work, K2 from left needle, K1 from cable needle.

C3F: Cable 3 Front
Slip next st to cable needle and hold at front of work, K2 from left needle, K1 from cable needle.

Cr2b: Rib Cross 2 Back
Slip next st to cable needle and hold at back of work, K1 from left needle, then P1 from cable needle.

Cr2f: Rib Cross 2 Front
Slip next st to cable needle and hold at front of work, P1 from left needle, K1 from cable needle.

C4B: Cable 4 Back
Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold at back of work, K2 from left-hand needle, then K2 from cable needle.

C4F: Cable 4 Front
Slip next 2 sts to cable needle and hold at front of work, K2 from left needle, K2 from cable needle.

Cr4R: Odd Cross 4 Right
Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at back, K1 from left needle, K3 from cable needle.

Cr4L: Odd Cross 4 Left
Slip next st onto cable needle and hold at front, K3 from left needle, then K1 from cable needle.

C6B: Cable 6 Back
Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold at back of work, K3 from left needle, then K3 from cable needle.

C6F: Cable 6 Front
Slip next 3 sts to cable needle and hold at front of work, K3 from left needle, then K3 from cable needle.

C10B: Cable 10 Back
Slip 5 sts onto a cable needle, hold at back of work, K5 from left needle, then K5 from cable needle.

C10F: Cable 10 Front
Slip 5 sts onto a cable needle, hold at the front of work, K5 from left needle, then K5 from cable needle.

Tw3B: Purl Twist 3 Back
Slip next st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K2 from left needle, then P1 from cable needle.

Tw3F: Purl Twist 3 Front
Slip next 2 sts onto cable needle, hold at front of work, P1 from left needle, K2 from cable needle.

T3B: Twist 3 Back
Slip next st onto cable needle, hold at back, K2 from left needle, then K1 from cable needle.

T3F: Twist 3 Front
Slip 2 sts onto cable needle, hold at front, K1 from left needle, then K2 from cable needle.

Tw4B: Purl Twist 4 Back
Slip 2 sts onto cable needle, hold at back, K2 from left needle, then P2 from cable needle.

Tw4F: Purl Twist 4 Front
Slip 2 sts onto cable needle, hold at front, P2 from left needle, then K2 from cable needle.

T8B rib: Twist 8 Back Rib
Slip next 4 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, K1, P2, K1 from left needle, then K1, P2, K1 from cable needle.

T8F rib: Twist 8 Front Rib
Slip next 4 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, K1, P2, K1 from left needle, then K1, P2, K1 from cable needle.

More knitting stitch patterns

Add to your repertoire of knitting stitch patterns with our guides to the basics, plus decorative stitches you can use to give your knits the wow factor. We cover garter stitch, stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), moss stitch, rib stitch, lace knitting, how to cable knit and slip stitch knitting.

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Cable knitting patterns: stitch library

Get creative with cables using our collection of cable stitch patterns. Our library features everything from simple plaits to basketweave cables and honeycomb eyelets.

Whether you’re looking for a simple twist to add to a hat or want to design your very own gansey, these patterns are sure to provide inspiration.

Why not practise your cable knitting by making a sampler blanket out of your test swatches? It’s a great way to learn how to cable knit!

All of the patterns below use our standard knitting abbreviations. Here’s what you’ll find in our cable stitch library:

• 9 stitch plait
• Basket cable 1
• Basket cable 2
• Basket cable 3
• Cable rib
• Cables & eyelets
• Chains & links
• Chevron tracks
• Corded cable rib
• Fans & feathers
• Honeycomb
• Little cable rib
• Mini cables
• Mock cables
• Ripple effect
• Rolling waves
• Slanted double cable
• Soft cables
• Subtle curves
• Trapeziums
• Twists & turns
• Wavy cables
• Woven cable
• Woven twists

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Cable knitting patterns: 9 stitch plait

Cast on 33 stitches.

Row 1 P5, K9, P5, K9, P5.

Row 2 K5, P9, K5, P9, K5

Row 3 P5, C6F, K3, P5, K3, C6B, P5.

Row 4 K5, P9, K5, P9, K5.

Row 5 P5, K9, P5, K9, P5.

Row 6 K5, P9, K5, P9, K5.

Row 7 P5, K3, C6B, P5, C6F, K3, P5.

Row 8 K5, P9, K5, P9, K5.

Repeat these 8 rows to desired length.

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Cable knitting patterns: Basket cable 1

Add a traditional touch to your projects with this basketweave pattern.

Cast on a multiple of 8 sts plus 12 sts. (Try 44 sts.)

Row 1 (WS) K2, P to the last 2 sts, K2.

Row 2 Knit.

Rows 3 & 4 As rows 1 & 2.

Row 5 K2, P to the last 2 sts, K2.

Row 6 K2, (C8B) to last 2 sts, K2.

Rows 7-11 As rows 1-5.

Row 12 K6, (C8F) to last 6 sts, K6.

Repeat rows 1-12 to form pattern.

Abbreviations

C8B Slip 4 sts to a cable needle and hold at the back. K4, then K4 sts from the cable needle
C8F Slip 4 sts to a cable needle and hold in front. K4, then K4 sts from the cable needle

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Cable knitting patterns: Basket cable 2

Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 2.

Row 1 WS Purl.

Row 2 Knit.

Row 3 Purl.

Row 4 Knit.

Row 5 K2, *P4, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 6 P2, *C4F, P2; rep from * to end.

Rows 1-6 form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Basket cable 3

Cable knitting patterns: Basket cable 3

Cast on a multiple of 8 sts plus 2.

Row 1 (WS) Purl.

Row 2 Knit.

Row 3 Purl.

Row 4 K1, *sl next 2 sts to cn and hold in back, K2, then K2 from cn, K4*, K1

Row 5 Purl.

Row 6 Knit.

Row 7 Purl.

Row 8 K1, *K4, sl next 2 sts to cn and hold in front, K2, then K2 from cn*, K1.

Rep rows 1–8 to form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Cable rib

Cable worked over 10 stitches, with reverse stocking stitch. (Try 30 sts.)

Row 1 (RS) P10, K2, (P2, K2) twice, P10.

Row 2 K10, P2, (K2, P2) twice, K10.

Row 3 P10, T6L, P2, K2, P10.

Row 4 K10, P2, (K2, P2) twice, K10.

Rows 5-8 Rep rows 1 & 2 twice.

Row 9 P10, K2, P2, T6L, P10.

Row 10 K10, P2, (K2, P2) twice, K10.

Rows 11 & 12 Rep rows 1 & 2.

These 12 rows form the pattern.

Abbreviations

T6L (twist 6 left) Slip next 4 sts onto a cn and hold at front of work, K next 2 sts, then slip 2 purl sts from the cn on to the left-hand needle and purl them, then K2 sts from the cn.

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Cable knitting patterns: Cables & eyelets

Cast on a multiple of 11 sts plus 7.

Row 1 (WS) Purl.

Row 2 K1, *yo, ssk, K1, k2tog, yo, K6; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, ssk, K1, k2tog, yo, K1.

Row 3 Purl.

Row 4 K2, *yo, sk2po, yo, K1, C6B, K1; rep from * to last 5 sts, yo, sk2po, yo, K2.

Row 5 Purl.

Row 6 K1, *yo, ssk, K1, k2tog, yo, K6; rep from * to last 6 sts, yo, ssk, K1, k2tog, yo, K1.

Row 7 Purl.

Row 8 K2, *yo, sk2po, yo, K8; rep from * to last 5 sts, yo, sk2po, yo, K2.

Rows 1–8 form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Chains & links

Cast on a multiple of 12 sts plus 2.

Row 1 (WS) Purl.

Row 2 K1, *C6B, C6F; rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 3 Purl.

Row 4 Knit.

Row 5 Purl.

Row 6 Knit.

Row 7 Purl.

Row 8 Knit.

Rows 1–8 form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Chevron tracks

Cast on a multiple of 10 sts plus 2.

Row 1 (RS) P2, *K8, P2; rep from * to end.

Row 2 (WS) K2, *P8, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 3 P2, *sl2 sts to cn and hold in back, K2, K2 from cn, sl2 to cn and hold in front, K2, K2 from cn, P2; rep from * to end.

Row 4 K2, *P8, K2; rep from * to end.

Rep rows 1–4 to form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Corded cable rib

Cast on 32 sts.

Row 1 (RS) P6, K6, P8, K6, P6.

Row 2 K6, P6, K8, P6, K6.

Row 3 P6, K6, P8, K6, P6.

Row 4 K6, P6, K8, P6, K6.

Row 5 P6, C6B, P8, C6F, P6.

Row 6 K6, P6, K8, P6, K6.

Repeat rows 1–6 to form the pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Fans & feathers

Cast on a multiple of 18 sts.

Row 1 (WS) Purl.

Row 2 *(K2tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; rep from * to end.

Row 3 K15, *P6, K12; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Row 4 K15, *C6B, K12; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Row 5 Purl.

Row 6 *(K2tog) 3 times, (yo, K1) 6 times, (k2tog) 3 times; rep from * to end.

Row 7 K15, *P6, K12; rep from * to last 3 sts, K3.

Row 8 Knit.

Rows 1–8 form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Honeycomb

Cast on 32 stitches.

Row 1 *C4B, C4F, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 P.

Row 3 K.

Row 4 P.

Row 5 *C4F, C4B, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 6 P.

Row 7 K.

Row 8 P.

Repeat these 8 rows to desired length.

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Cable knitting patterns: Little cable rib

Cast on a multiple of 6 sts. (Try 42 sts.)

Row 1 (RS) *K3, P3; rep from * to end.

Row 2 *Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts; rep from * to end.

Row 3 *K3, P3; rep from * to end.

Row 4 *Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts; rep from * to end.

Row 5 *K1, LC, P1; rep from * to end.

Row 6 *Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts; rep from * to end.

Rep rows 1-6 to form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns:  Mini cables

These Mini Cables are worked using an uneven cabling method.

Usually, cables are worked by slipping two or so stitches onto a cable needle and then working the next two stitches from the left-hand needle, before working those two stitches from the cable needle.

In this case, instead of splitting the stitches evenly into two and two, it’s three and one.

Cast on 9 sts per cable on a background of rev st st. (Try 43 sts.)

Row 1 (RS) P8, K9, P9, K9, P8.

Row 2 K8, P9, K9, P9, K8.

Row 3 P8, Cr4L, K1, Cr4R (left pattern), P9, Cr4R, K2, Cr4L (right pattern), P8.

Row 4 As Row 2.

Repeat these 4 rows to form the pattern.

Abbreviations

Cr4L Slip next st onto cn and hold at front. K3 from LH needle, then K1 from cn.

Cr4R Slip next 3 sts onto cn and hold at back. K1 from LH needle, K3 from cn.

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Cable knitting patterns: Mock cables

Cast on a multiple of 7 sts plus 2.

Row 1 (WS) K2, *P5, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 2 P2, *LT, K3, P2; rep from * to end.

Row 3 K2, *P5, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 4 P2, *K1, LT, K2, P2; rep from * to end.

Row 5 K2, *P5, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 6 P2, *K2, LT, K1, P2; rep from * to end.

Row 7 K2, *P5, K2; rep from * to end.

Row 8 P2, *K3, LT, P2; rep from * to end.

Rows 1–8 form pattern.

Abbreviations

LT (Left twist) Skip 1st st, K into back of 2nd st, K the skipped st, then slip both sts from needle tog

RT (Right twist) Skip 1st st, K into front of 2nd st, K the skipped st, then slip both sts from needle tog

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Cable knitting patterns: Ripple effect

Cast on a multiple of 3 sts plus 1.

Row 1 *P1, T2B; rep from * to last st, P1.

Row 2 and all even rows Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

Row 3 K1, P1, *T2B, P1; rep from * to last 2 sts, T2B.

Row 5 *K1, P2; rep from * to last st, K1. Row 7 P2, *T2F, P1; rep from * to last 2 sts, T2F.

Row 9 *P2, K1; rep from * to last st, P2. Row 11 *P1, T2F; rep from * to last st, P1.

Row 12 Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

Rows 1–12 form pattern.

Abbreviations

T2F Slip next st to cable needle and hold at front, P1; K1 from cable needle
T2B Slip next st to cable needle and hold at back, K1; P1 from cable needle

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Cable knitting patterns: Rolling waves

Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 1.

Row 1 (RS) P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end.

Row 2 and all even rows Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

Row 3 P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end.

Row 5 P1, K2, P1, *CO, P1; rep from * to last 3 sts, K2, P1.

Row 7 P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end.

Row 9 P1, *K2, P1; rep from * to end.

Row 11 P1, *CO, P1; rep from * to end.

Row 12 Knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

Rows 1-12 form pattern.

Abbreviations

CO Crossover: slip 3 sts to cn and hold to back, K2, return P st from cn to left needle and P1, then K2 from cn

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Cable knitting patterns: Slanted double cable

Cast on 18 sts, plus some sts for the background of reverse st st. (Try 40 sts. This will give you 10 sts either side of the 20 for the cable.)

Row 1 (RS) P10 (or half of the extra sts cast on), pm, K1 tbl, P2, K2, P4, K4, P2, K1 tbl, pm, P to end.

Row 2 and every alt row Knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches.

Row 3 P to marker, slm, K1 tbl, P2, LC, P2, K4, P2, K1 tbl, slm, P to end.

Row 5 P to marker, slm, K1 tbl, P4, C4F, LC, P2, K1 tbl, slm, P to end.

Row 7 P to marker, slm, K1 tbl, P2, RC, LC, K2, P2, K1 tbl, slm, P to end.

Row 9 P to marker, slm, K1 tbl, P2, K2, P4, C4F, P2, K1 tbl, slm, P to end.

Row 10 As row 2.

Repeat rows 3–10 to form pattern.

Abbreviations

LC (left cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, P2, K2 from cable needle

RC (right cross) Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold at back, K2, then P2 from cable needle

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Cable knitting patterns: Soft cables

Add all-over texture to your knits with this simple cable pattern.

Cast on a multiple of 4 sts plus 2 sts. (Try 42 sts.)

Row 1 (RS) K1, *P2, K2; rep from * ending K3.

Row 2 P3, *K2, P2; rep from * ending P1.

Row 3 K1, *C4B; rep from * ending K1.

Row 4 *Knit; rep from * to end.

Rep Rows 1-4 to form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Subtle curves

Cast on a multiple of 6 sts plus 1.

Row 1 (RS) Knit.

Row 2 P2, *K2, P4; rep from * to last 5 sts, K2, P3.

Row 3 K2, *LT, K4; rep from * to last 5 sts, LT, K3.

Row 4 P2, *K1, P1, K1, P3; rep from * to last 5 sts, K1, P1, K1, P2.

Row 5 K3, *LT, K4; rep from * to last 4 sts, LT, K2.

Row 6 P3, *K2, P4; rep from * to last 4 sts, K2, P2.

Row 7 Knit.

Row 8 P3, *K2, P4; rep from * to last 4 sts, K2, P2.

Row 9 K3, *RT, K4; rep from * to last 4 sts, RT, K2.

Row 10 P2, *K1, P1, K1, P3; rep from * to last 5 sts, K1, P1, K1, P2.

Row 11 K2, *RT, K4; rep from * to last 5 sts, RT, K3.

Row 12 P2, *K2, P4; rep from * to last 5 sts, K2, P3.

Rows 1–12 form pattern.

Abbreviations

LT (Left twist) Skip 1st st, K into back of 2nd st, K the skipped st, then slip both sts from needle tog

RT (Right twist) Skip 1st st, K into front of 2nd st, K the skipped st, then slip both sts from needle tog

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Cable knitting patterns: Trapeziums

Cast on a multiple of 8 sts.

Row 1 (WS) *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 2 *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 3 *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 4 *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 5 *P4, C4F; rep from * to end.

Row 6 *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 7 *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 8 *K4, P4; rep from * to end.

Row 9 *C4F, P4; rep from * to end.

Rows 2-9 form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Twists & turns

Cast on a multiple of 9 sts plus 6.

Row 1 (RS) *P1, K4, (P1, K1) twice; rep from * to last 6 sts, P1, K4, P1.

Row 2 *K1, P4, (K1, P1) twice; rep from * to last 6 sts, K1, P4, K1.

Row 3 *P1, C4B, (P1, K1) twice; rep from * to last 6 sts, P1, C4B, P1.

Row 4 *K1, P4, (K1, P1) twice; rep from * to last 6 sts, K1, P4, K1.

Rows 1–4 form pattern.

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Cable knitting patterns: Wavy cables

Cast on a multiple of 8 sts. (Try 48 sts.)

Row 1 (RS) *K4, C4B; rep from * to end of row.

Row 2 Purl.

Row 3 *C4F, K4; rep from * to end of row.

Row 4 Purl.

Repeat these 4 rows to desired length.

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Cable knitting patterns: Woven cable

Cast on a multiple of 4 sts plus 6. (Example shown here is over 10 sts on a reverse st st background.)

Row 1 (RS) K2, *C4F, rep from * to end.

Row 2 Purl.

Row 3 *C4B, rep from * to last 2 sts, K2.

Row 4 Purl.

Repeat these 4 rows to desired length.

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Cable knitting patterns:  Woven twists

Cast on a multiple of 4 sts.

Row 1 (WS) Purl.

Row 2 K1, P2, *LT, P2; rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 3 K3, *P2, K2; rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 4 K3, *RT, K2; rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 5 Purl.

Row 6 K1, *LT, P2; rep from * to last 3 sts, LT, K1.

Row 7 K1, P2, *K2, P2; rep from * to last st, K1.

Row 8 K1, *RT, K2; rep from * to last 3 sts, RT, K1.

Rows 1–8 form pattern.

Abbreviations

LT (Left twist) Skip 1st st, K into back of 2nd st, K the skipped st, then slip both sts from needle tog

RT (Right twist) Skip 1st st, K into front of 2nd st, K the skipped st, then slip both sts from needle tog

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Free cable knitting patterns: 3 to try

1. Knit a cable hat

Everyone needs a snuggly hat for winter, so make your first cable project this cosy head-warmer. Our unisex design is quick to knit, so grab a ball of your favourite DK yarn and cast on today!

Knit our free unisex cable hat pattern.

2. Knit a pair of fingerless gloves

Cable knitting isn’t just about traditional gansey patterns (although we love those too!). Get creative with these playful owls, made from easy-to-knit cabled shapes and finished with button eyes.

Cast on the owl fingerless gloves knitting pattern.

3. Knit a bottle cosy

Keep your drink cool and your hands warm with our beer bottle cosy pattern. You can either knit it using a mixture of cables and intarsia colourwork, or make it in one shade for an easier knit.

Get the free beer cosy knitting pattern.

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Cable knitting: Easier than you think!

Learning how to cable knit is simpler than you think. As you can see from our guide, it’s easy to pick up a variety of cable knit styles once you know the technique!

Need a bit more guidance on your knitting journey?

We have a fabulous knitting stitch guide, which is jam-packed with helpful tips and tricks (even seasoned stitchers will get a kick out of this)!