Free Cable Knitting Patterns

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I’ve created a roundup of some beautiful free cable knitting patterns. Lots of these are in my own Ravelry queue! Of course, you can always browse the massive archive of free patterns on Ravelry to find more free patterns. Many of these patterns are by established designers, so they shouldn’t have errors and should be well written. However, I have not tested them, so always check for errata to prevent future headaches! Trying out a designer’s free pattern is a good way to get to know how the designer writes, so if you like his or her instructions and methods, you might feel more comfortable purchasing another pattern of theirs.

From left to right, top to bottom:

Trumpeter’s Toque by Rosemary (Romi) Hill

Trumpeter’s Toque is inspired by the designer’s favorite trumpet player. It has a big fat cable and lots of room for extra hair. You can add a pompom or keep it pompom-free to go under your favorite hoodie. The pattern uses 174 – 183 m of aran weight yarn, and is available in one size. I’m sure you can use thinner yarn and smaller needles if you want to knit this for those with smaller heads! Check out Romi’s videos for techniques included in this pattern, such as knitting with two circular needles instead of using dpns or magic loop.

Honeycomb Aran by Patons

The Honeycomb Aran looks like a classic aran sweater from Ireland! The pattern calls for 1536 – 2880 m of worsted weight wool yarn. It includes six sizes, from bust of 71 cm to 157.5 cm (28 to 62″). The pattern instructs you to knit the raglan sweater bottom-up in pieces, and then the sweater is seamed together. Since cabled fabric can be heavy, the seaming at the sides, shoulders, and sleeves can add structure.

Lempster by Norah Gaughan

If you’re like me, you prefer knitting top-down sweaters. The Lempster by Norah Gaughan for Knitty Magazine is just that! It uses 896 – 1703 m of aran weight yarn and includes seven sizes, bust of 91.5 – 152.5 cm (36 – 60″).

This sweater starts with the back shoulders and is worked down for a few inches, then the front shoulders are picked up and worked down, joined in the round, finally picking up the top of the sleeve as you go.

Caradon Hill Jumper by Blacker Yarns Design Team

This raglan jumper is knit seamlessly in the round from the bottom up. The sleeves and body are worked separately to the underarms, then joined to knit the yoke. Afterwards, you knit short rows to shape the neckline before finishing with a rolled neckband. All cable motifs are charted, and are worked over a six-row repeat. The Caradon Hill Jumper uses 1088 – 1741 m or DK weight yarn, and includes six sizes, from a bust of 76 – 127 cm (30 – 50″).

Things That Matter by Dani Gherardi

Things That Matter is a round-yoked sweater that is worked seamlessly from the top down. You start at the neckline with a cable and lace pattern. The cleverly placed increases accommodate your shoulders perfectly and are hidden in the design. After finishing the yoke pattern some short-rows are worked back and forth to create a higher back neck to sleeve separation. This design combines the designer’s love of cables and some delicate lace for a beautiful sweater with feminine energy and personality.

It uses 823 – 2469 m of DK weight yarn and includes seven sizes, from a bust of 71 – 162.5 cm (28 – 64″).

Pandora Mixed Cables Jumper by Emma Wright

The Pandora Mixed Cables Jumper is worked flat from the bottom up, and then seamed. It calls for 900 – 1350 m of DK weight yarn in a wool-alpaca blend. The pattern includes eight sizes, from a bust of 81 – 117 cm (32 – 46″).

December Hat by Irina Anikeeva

After a tubular cast on, you knit 2 x 2 ribbing that transitions into thick cable panels for the body. Integrated decreased shape the crown and a pom pom completes the look. Like all hats from the Year of Hats by Kelbourne Woolens, including the seven October Hats that I knit, the December Hat uses just one skein (201 m) of aran weight wool yarn. Although the pattern calls for Kelbourne Woolens Germantown yarn, any aran weight wool yarn could work nicely. Just make sure the yarn gives good stitch definition for those beautiful cables!

Wishbone by Norah Gaughan

The Wishbone sweater by legendary Norah Gaughan features a unique cable, bracelet length sleeves and a neatly finished crew neck. This is one of the oldest patterns on Ravelry, since it’s from 2009. The pattern calls for 892 – 1562 m of worsted weight yarn in a merino-silk blend. It also includes seven sizes, from a bust of 81 – 132 cm (32 – 52″).

Belle Fille Hat by Espace Tricot

According to Espace Tricot, holiday displays at fine department stores inspired this classic women’s hat. Unlike the other cabled hats included here, this hat uses 200 m of sport weight yarn. Although the pattern includes just one size, you could use thicker or thinner yarns to fit larger or smaller heads.

Check out these other free knitting pattern roundups:

• knit hat patterns
• stranded colourwork knitting patterns
• cardigan knitting patterns
• summer knitting patterns
• lace shawl knitting patterns

• sweater knitting patterns
• miscellaneous knitting patterns
• sock knitting patterns
• mitten knitting patterns
• linen knitting patterns

• vest knitting patterns
• entrelac knitting patterns
• adult pants and legging knitting patterns