Are you looking for the perfect cable knit sweater pattern for this winter? Fret not! I have a collection of 17+ cozy and warm cable knit sweater patterns here. With detailed braided patterns, these sweaters will make your winter more stylish and comfy.
Although these sweater patterns appear intimidating, they are usually easy to make. To work a cable knit sweater, you only need basic knitting materials and the knowledge of the two most basic knitting stitches, knit, and purl. You will need chunky yarn to make this type of sweater. And the best part is, no matter which style you love, whether a cute look or a chick and bold version, you can make any cable knit sweater.
Without further ado, let’s move into later sections to explore these exciting styles and vibes of cable knit sweater patterns.
Table of Contents
- What Is A Cable Knit Sweater?
- Required Materials To Make A Cable Knit Sweater
- 17+ Free Cable Knit Sweater Patterns For All Skill Levels
- Pandora Mixed Cable-knit Sweater
- Deep Woods Cable Knit Sweater
- Graham’s Aran Mens Cable Knit Sweater
- Emerald Lake Cable Knit Sweater
- Feather Women’s Cable Knit Sweater
- Winter Cable Knit Sweater
- Aran Cable Knit Sweater
- Arani Cable Knit Sweater For Men
- House Of Tudor Cable Knit Sweater
- Cable Knit Cotton Sweater
- Cable Knit Cotton Sweater For Kids
- Sonaatti Cable Knit Sweater
- Women’s Cable Knit Sweater Cotton/ Aran Silk
- Free Bernet Cable Knit Sweater
- Crop Sleeve Women’s Cable Knit Sweater
- Wicket Cable Knit Sweater For Kids
- Turtle Neck Aran Cable Knit Sweater For Women
- Fiona Flower Cable Knit Sweater For Women
- Final Words
- Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Key Takeaways:
- Use a medium or heavy-weight yarn like wool blend yarn to make a cable knit sweater.
- Make sure to gather the cable needle and stitch holder before starting to work on your knitted sweater.
- Remember to follow the written pattern for your chosen cable knit sweater properly and do not forget to follow the size chart.
What Is A Cable Knit Sweater?
A cable knit sweater is a warm and cozy garment that showcases beautiful raised, braided, or twisted patterns that resemble cables or ropes. To make such patterns you will work with basic knitting stitches and overlap them with each other. This pattern originally came from the Aran island of Ireland. However, it gradually became a fashion sensation. Nowadays, you will see people wearing these cable knit sweaters in casual outings to formal occasions.
Required Materials To Make A Cable Knit Sweater
To make a cable-knit sweater, you will need some basic knitting materials. Take a glance at them.
Materials Name | Functions |
---|---|
Yarn | You can use medium-weight yarn (worsted weight, aran yarn, etc.) or chunky yarn (wool, etc.). |
Knitting Needles | You can use both straight and circular needles. However, for the body part, it is better to use the circular one and for the smaller parts like the sleeves, you can use the straight one. |
Cable Needles | To hold the stitches while making the cables, use this needle. |
Stitch Markers | To mark any row or stitch, use the stitch markers. |
Measuring Tape | Knowing the perfect body size is essential to making a properly fitted cable knit sweater. So, use the measuring tape to take the measurements of the body meticulously. |
Darning needle | You will need the darning needle to attach the sleeves or weave the end of a sweater. |
Scissors | After completing the knitting, cut the yarn with a sharp scissor. |
Row Counter (optional) | It is important to keep track of the rows while knitting. While this is easy for veteran knitters, it is safer for beginner or mid-level knitters to use a row counter. |
17+ Free Cable Knit Sweater Patterns For All Skill Levels
Are you feeling excited to jump into the world of our top 17+ free cable knit sweater patterns? No more delay then! Let’s get immersed!
1
Pandora Mixed Cable-knit Sweater
Imagine a cute cable-knit sweater with timeless elegance suitable for casual and formal outings. Do not wonder! This Pandora mixed cable is such a garment. This sweater uses a wool blend yarn, so it is very warm and cozy. The design itself is unisex, that is, it is a cable-knit sweater for both men and women.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Necessary Materials: One pair of 4 mm (US 6/UK 8) straight knitting needles, one cable needle, two stitch holders, pewter color yarn, darning needle, and scissors.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: 70% Falkland wool 30% British alpaca DK weight yarn.
- Designer Name: Emma Wright.
2
Deep Woods Cable Knit Sweater
Looking for a simple yet elegant winter outfit that will make you stand out from the crowd? Then, try this wood cable knit sweater. This sweater showcases a beautiful cable design only on the sleeves. To make this sweater, you will work in a top-down style. This is also a free pattern, and as the cable design is only on the sleeves, it is easier to knit this winter garment. On top of that, this pattern comes in six different sizes.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Necessary Materials: Dark green color yarn, size 5 mm pointed needles, size 5 mm circular needles (remember, you can use a needle slightly bigger or smaller than the recommended one), cable needle, scissors, and darning needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Drops Alpaca and Drops Kid Silk yarns. You can also use any yarn from the A+A or C groups.
- Designer Name: Garnstudio.
3
Graham’s Aran Mens Cable Knit Sweater
Thinking about what to gift your beloved partner, father, or any male for this winter? What could be greater than a hand-made sweater then? This Graham’s Aran cable knit sweater is not only a perfect solution for you, but it also carries the original vibe of the Irish cable knit sweaters. So, no matter whether looking from the aspect of sincerity or the historical part, this sweater stands out from either consideration. And above all, this pattern showcases different cable styles and ribbing methods. So, in terms of skills, it is a great project.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Needles of size 4 mm (US 6) and 5 mm (US 8), circular needles, cable needles, and a darning needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Yarn mixed with 80% acrylic and 20% wool, weight #4 (medium weight).
- Designer Name: Louise Bollanos.
4
Emerald Lake Cable Knit Sweater
Imagine wearing a sky-colored sweater and roaming around the lake. How surreal is it! No need to be tempted, you can easily make that outfit by knitting this beautiful Emerald Lake Cable sweater. It is a free pattern and with just a few practices, you can make this.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Sky color yarn, circular needles of 4.5 mm size and 3 mm size, 4.5 mm and 3 mm sizes double pointed needles, cable needle, scissors, and darning needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: DK (11 wp)
- Designer Name: DROPS design.
5
Feather Women’s Cable Knit Sweater
Want an elegant yet lightweight sweater for your ladies’ outing? This Feather Cable Knit sweater is here for you. The pastel shade of light pinkish-red color gives this sweater a dignified vibe. So, it is also a perfect outfit to go out with family or on a date.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Necessary Materials: Straight needle of size 3½ mm (US 4) for the body of the sweater, circular needle of size 3½ mm (40 cm / 16 in) for the neckline, Novita yarn color code 607 or any light color same blend yarn, scissors, and a darning needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Novita Lumous, Dk weight yarn 44% Acrylic, 26% Nylon, 15% Merino blend.
- Designer Name: Sari Nordlund.
6
Winter Cable Knit Sweater
This is a perfect pullover for the cold and snowy winter. The design itself has a heavily knitted cable pattern. Also, you will use wool to make this cable knit sweater. So, it feels very warm and cozy. Also, it is a buttoned sweater, that is, you can style it in different ways.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Circular needles of sizes 4.5 mm (US 7) and 5.5 mm (US 9), scissors, any color yarn (white, red, etc.), a tapestry needle, stitch holder, and stitch markers.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: A yarn of 60% fine Irish wool, 40% New Zealand wool blend.
- Designer Name: Kate Gagnon Osborn.
7
Aran Cable Knit Sweater
Want an original style cable knit sweater made with Fisherman wool yarn? This Aran knit is such a garment. It carries the traditional vibe of a cable knit sweater. It is super cozy, comes in various sizes, and you can customize the color too. Moreover, it is a perfect cable knit sweater for women as most heavily knitted sweaters are for men.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of sizes 4.5 mm (US 7) and 5.0 mm (US 8), split ring stitch markers, scissors, stitch holders, a darning needle, and cable needles.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Lion Brand Fishermen’s Wool and Lion Brand Martha Stewart Crafts Merino.
- Designer Name: Lion Brand Yarn.
8
Arani Cable Knit Sweater For Men
Are you missing the trendy high-collar style? Here is a great type for you. This Arani cable knit sweater perfectly showcases the beautiful knitting pattern with its cool vibe. You can use deep colors of yarn like army green to have a cool vibe or use a light one like sky blue color to have a refreshing vibe. Also, this pattern is suitable for both professional and casual outings.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of sizes 3.0 mm (US 2½), 3.25 mm (US 3), and 3.5 mm (US 4), a darning needle, stitch holder, and scissors.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Light-fingering weight Merino wool yarn.
- Designer Name: Ronja Hakalehto
9
House Of Tudor Cable Knit Sweater
This is a pretty sweater inspired by the historical Tudor-style windows. It uses a bottom-up knitting method and a no-seem sweater. Also, the cable pattern of this sweater is identical on both sides. You will need medium-weight yarn to make this Tudor cable knit sweater. So, it will keep you perfectly warm during the winter. It is a women’s cable knit sweater that offers many sizes.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Circular needles of sizes 4.5 mm (US 7) and size 4mm (US 6), stitch markers, cable needle, a darning needle, measuring tape, and waste yarn.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Worsted weight yarn,
- Designer Name: Camilyn Crane.
10
Cable Knit Cotton Sweater
Want to gift your sports lover partner or son a gift for this winter? Then, this mens cable knit sweater is a perfect choice. It is a tennis sweater with a minimal cable knit pattern. So, the making process is easier and you will enjoy it. Though the deep blue color is featured for this pattern, you can use any other light or dark color yarn to make it.
- Skill Level: Beginner.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of size 2.75 mm (US 2) and 2.0 mm (US 0), stitch holder, cable needle, and stitch markers.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Fingering weight (14 wpi) cotton yarn.
- Designer Name: Vogue Knitting.
11
Cable Knit Cotton Sweater For Kids
Make this pretty and cute cotton cable knit sweater for your toddler or elementary schooler. This sweater helps to enhance their playful innocent feature and keep them warm in the winter. Also, this sweater offers a range of sizes from 3 years to 10 years old. You can customize the yarn color too.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of size 3.25 mm (US 3), 3.75 mm (US 5 ), and 4.0 mm (US 6), light color yarn (sky blue, baby pink, etc.), cable needle, stitch holder, and scissors.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: DK (11 wpi) cotton yarn.
- Designer Name: Debbie Bliss.
12
Sonaatti Cable Knit Sweater
This is a high-neck or turtle-neck sweater featuring the traditional cable knitting style. It is a women’s cable knit sweater made with bulky yarn. Also, the sweater has a light brownish tone that makes it perfect for a professional setting. The pattern supports various sizes and so, you can make it for any adult size.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Circular needles of size 80 cm (32 in) and 10 mm (24 in), double-pointed needles 8 mm (UK 0 / US 11) and 10 mm (UK 000 / US 15), cable needle, stitch holder, and stitch markers.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Super Bulky (5-6 wpi) wool yarn.
- Designer Name: Linda Permanto.
13
Women’s Cable Knit Sweater Cotton/ Aran Silk
Looking for a meticulously made sweater featuring different types of cable knits? This white color cable knit sweater is such a piece. You can also use silk aran yarn instead of cotton. Also, both the size and color of this cable knit pullover are customizable.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of size 3.75 mm (US 5), 4.0 mm (US 6), and 4.5 mm (US 7), stitch markers, stitch holders, and a cable needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: DK weight cotton yarn or, Aran (8 wpi) yarn.
- Designer Name: Debbie Bliss.
14
Free Bernet Cable Knit Sweater
Thinking about a mock neck sweater that offers great warmth and looks elegant? This free sweater pattern has all of these features. It is a cable knit sweater for women that you can wear at any professional or casual meeting. Also, you can customize its size and color to meet your choice.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of size 5.0 mm (US 8), and 5.5 mm (US 9), stitch holder, and cable needles.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Aran (8 wpi) yarn.
- Designer Name: Bernat Design Studio.
15
Crop Sleeve Women’s Cable Knit Sweater
This cable knit sweater pattern is free and has an elegant charm. Instead of the full sleeve, this pullover has crop sleeves. So, it is an excellent choice for autumn or a breezy day. This sweater also has a high neck, giving it a cool vibe.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Straight knitting needles of sizes 4 mm (U.S. 6) and 4½ mm (U.S. 7), circular needle (for collar) of size 4 mm (U.S. 6), 2 stitch holders, and a cable needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Worsted (9 wpi) bamboo yarn.
- Designer Name: Patons.
16
Wicket Cable Knit Sweater For Kids
This sweater is a great deal for cricket lovers as it looks like a traditional cricket sweater. The neck and sleeves of this sweater are made with rib knitting making them stretchy. So, it is very easy to dress little kids. Also, you can customize the color of this sweater, and feel free to customize the size for an adult too.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of size 3.25 mm (US 3), and 4.0 mm (US 6), knit holders, and a cable needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: DK (11 wpi) yarn.
- Designer Name: Torya Winters.
17
Turtle Neck Aran Cable Knit Sweater For Women
This is a white color cable knit sweater with a high neck. The pattern uses fishermen’s wool yarn. So, this sweater is very cozy and warm making it a perfect choice for winter. Though this pattern is marked as intermediate in terms of difficulty, it is very easy to make and only requires basic knitting stitches.
- Skill Level: Intermediate.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needles of size 5.5 mm (US 9) and 5.0 mm (US 8), circular needles of size 5.0 mm (US 8, 60 cm (24″)), stitch holders, a darning needle, and a cable needle.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: 100% Wool (Fisheman’s wool) yarn.
- Designer Name: Elaine Phillips.
18
Fiona Flower Cable Knit Sweater For Women
This is a pretty pullover pattern that showcases a unique combination of cable knitting and lace stitches. Although the making process of this cable knit sweater needs some time and close attention, it is worth every bit of the effort. The sweater is not only popular for its aesthetic appeal but also a great garment to keep you warm in the cold. So, let’s give it a try.
- Skill Level: Difficult.
- Necessary Materials: Knitting needle of size 4.5 mm (US 7, for the main body), 4 mm (US 6, for ribbing), and 3.5 mm (US 4, for double knitting), darning needle, cable needle, removable stitch markers, 4 buttons with around 16 mm, and dark brown color yarn.
- Yarn Type And Yarn Weight: Sport weight and lace weight yarns.
- Designer Name: Famke van der Wal.
Final Words
Dear knit-loving folks, our journey in the world of the collection of 17+ gorgeous cable knit sweaters has ended here! Now, grab your knitting tools and try out your favorite pattern. They are free and very well-written. Though, I have covered some common inquiries too, if you still have some issues, do not hesitate to reach out!
Here are my tips too. Remember, do not get frustrated if it does not work out for the first few times. Instead, practice making your cable knit sweater a few times and you will get the hang of it. See you soon with another amazing article. Till then, stay healthy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s)
Why Cable Knit Sweaters Are So Expensive?
Cable knit sweaters need meticulous attention and a good amount of time to make. The amount of thought and work behind making a cable knit sweater earned it a place among the luxury items. If you try to knit one, you will experience the challenges yourself. So, the time, the effort, and the thoughts are what make the cable knit sweaters expensive.
Why Is Cable Knit So Popular?
Cable knit sweaters are so popular for mainly two reasons. This cable knit is visually appealing and thus always stays on-trend. Also, as cable knitting is worked by overlapping cable patterns, it is thicker than normal knitting. So, it is an excellent choice for keeping warmth.
Are Cable Knit Sweaters Still In Style In 2025?
Of course! They are timeless elegance. In fact, after their debut to society, cable knit sweaters never get out of style. Aside from all the efforts behind these cable knits, they share beautiful patterns and designs created by overlapping different knitting stitches. The color and vibes also contribute to earning them these timeless style icons.
Can I Make A Cable Knit Sweater With Cotton Yarn?
Absolutely! Though for a handmade cable knit sweater, we usually prefer wool or wool blend as they provide a good warmth, using a cotton blend is also perfectly fine. Many luxury brands, like Ralph Lauren, use cotton blends for most of their cable knit sweaters. So, do not worry about trying this versatile yarn to make your favorite pattern.
How Can I Style A Cable Knit Sweater?
Cable knit sweaters are versatile and you can easily style them with almost all kinds of outfits. For a casual outing, pair them with jeans, or for women, pair an oversized one with a short skirt. For a professional look, pair a dark color cable knit sweater with a light color shirt or muted color blazer. You can also choose a light color sweater. However, remember the cable knit sweater needs to be polished looking to wear it in a professional meeting or office.
How Can I Care For The Cable Knit Sweaters?
These sweaters are easy to take care of. You can use any mild detergent to hand wash or machine wash them. However, remember the yarns especially natural blends can get stretched out or worn if you put the cable knit sweater in a quick or other heavy-duty cycle. Also, after washing, dry them in the sunlight and put the wrong side out. It will prevent the color from fading soon.