Free knitting patterns for blankets, clothes, accessories that feature cables designed in creative ways with colorwork or shaped like animals, plants, musical instruments, and more. Updated 10/19/24
To get the knitting patterns, scroll down the page to the individual pattern you want and click on the link to that pattern.
These patterns are not my designs but links to other designers who have generously shared their patterns. If you have questions about how to knit a specific pattern, please contact the designer directly.
All links on this site are for informational purposes, but please note that some links are to affiliate sellers that pay me a small commission on purchases.
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Free Patterns
Deer Slippers
A cabled stag head embellishes these slippers knit flat with a cuff. Knit flat. 4 sizes. Designed by Janis Frank. Worsted weight yarn. Web version is free.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version. Scroll down the target page to see the pattern.
- Buy the PDF knitting pattern at Etsy
Marshmallow Swirls Sweater
Fun pullover with child and adult versions knit with two color cables reminiscent of candy or ice cream. Adult Sizes XS to XXL. Child Sizes 2 (4, 6, 8, 10) yo. Designed by Lirio.knitsfor Hobbii. Worsted weight yarn. A kit is also available.
Autumn Leaf Half Gloves
One skein fingerless mitts featuring cable leaf motifs on the back of the hands. Knit flat. 3 sizes. Designed by Janis Frank who allows you to sell any of the arm warmers, gloves or mitts you make from this pattern. Uses one skein 190 - 192 yards (174 - 176 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Web version is free.
- Get the free knitting pattern - web version. Scroll down the target page to see the pattern.
- Buy the PDF knitting pattern at Etsy
- See more Fingerless Mitts Knit Flat Knitting Patterns
Trilobite Hat
For fossil lovers, here's a hat featuring a trilobite in relief in cable design. Designed by Hannah Mason for Knitty. Aran weight yarn.
The Beat Goes On
A heartbeat cable forms the design on this infinity scarf cowl. A great gift for someone you love or those interested in heart medicine. Designed by Emma Galat. Fingering weight yarn.
Cat Cable Mitts weater
A cabled cat motif is featured on these fingerless mitts and the yoke of a pullover sweater. You could easily use this motif for other knitting projects. Aran weight yarn for sweater and fingering for the mitts. Designed by Bracadabra.
Fallow Fields Shweater
This shawl and cardigan hybrid has sleeves created with stitching and features a beautiful cable design of vines and branches that still stands out on a gradient background. Fingering weight yarn with 2 strands held together. Designed by Liz Capik.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- Buy the kit with 6 color choices (it's expensive!)
- See more Cable Cardigan Knitting Patterns
Bunny Rabbit Cable Washcloth
Dish or wash cloth featuring a rabbit in cables. You could easily use this motif for other knitting projects. DK weight yarn. Designed by The Knit Guru.
Totally Twisted Hat and Scarf
This set features a half and half color scheme that switches color in the central cables. Toddler size. DK weight yarn. Designed by improzora. Available in English and German
More Free Patterns
Pineapple Afghan
Cable blanket features cable pineapples, the symbol of hospitality and belonging. Worsted weight yarn. Size 48" x 53". Designed by Craft Yarn Council of America. Pictured project by rowwise
Campiglio Headband
Earwarmer with braided solid cables on a striped background. Knit flat in slipped stitch colorwork. Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Michela Francesconi.
Toukulele Hat
The cable pattern in this hat creates a ukulele or acoustic guitar motif, making it a great gift for the musicians in your world. It is a fast knit using one skein of Aran/Heavy Worsted weight yarn greater than 150 yards. Sizes S[M,L]; shown in size M. Designed by Angela Acito for Knitty.
Fjord Shawl
Striped garter stitch shawl with contrasting cables in solid color knit with slipped stitch colorwork so you only ever work with color at a time. This large winged shawl is inspired by the Kangerlussuaq fjord and by the fells surrounding it. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Charlotte Kaae for Filcolana. Available in English and Danish
Viridescent Mitts
Fingerless mitts inspired by the growth of new plants using twisted stitches, simple increases and decreases, and cables. Uses less than one skein of the recommended Fingering weight yarn. Sizes XS (5.5" wrist), S (6" wrist), M (6.5" wrist), L (7" wrist). Designed by Emma Jaeger.
Middlemarch Cardigan
This short-sleeved cardigan features a separate integrated lace and cable layer that is knit separately and added seamlessly to the waist. I don't think I've ever seen anything else like this. Sizes Bust Circumference: 32 to 55.25 inches. Named for George Eliot’s great Victorian novel. Worsted and fingering weight yarn. Designed by Miranda Davies for Knitty.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Cable and Lace Sweater Knitting Patterns
Flutterby Mitts
Fingerless mitts with cable and bobble butterfly and cable cuffs. Sport weight yarn. Designed by Karen Fournier.
Expo 67 Cowl
Latticed cables in one color on a striped background form triangles reminiscent of geodesic structures. DK weight yarn. Designed by Espace Tricot. May only be free for a limited time.
DNA Scarf
This scarf features a cable modeled after the double helix of DNA. Designed by June Oshiro. Pictured projects by heatherashley and 1les
Sunburst Cowl
Colorful infinity scarf cowl worked in sections of a sunburst cable pattern, some sections in one color, others in two colors. Row by row instructions in the free version. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Uma Padu. Web version is free
Patterns for Purchase
Snake-a-licious Sweater
This cable pullover has a ssssecret. The gorgeous cables transform into snakes at the hem. Sizes small 32-34 medium 36-38 large 40-42. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by tiny owl knits
Stag Head Pullover
Norah Gaughan's sweater design features a cable deer complete with antlers. Sizes 36½ (40, 43½, 47, 50¾, 54¼, 57¾, 61¼)". Pictured project by snoodfox. Worsted weight yarn.
Feather Scarf
Scarf knit with a cable pattern of feathers that looks just as good on the reverse side. Aran, worsted weight yarn. Designed by TheWarmHouse. Available in English and Dutch.
Glencoyne Dale Celtic Cable Shawl or Throw
Cabled sea creatures resembling stylized fish or whales flow the length of this knitted work of art inspired by a stone carving near Ullswater. Designed by Susanne Daum. DK weight yarn.
Owlie Shawl
Asymmetric triangular shawl worked sideways from the long end in garter stitch with a line of cable owls along one edge. 3 sizes - toddler, child and adult. Quick knit in bulky yarn. Designed by Heather Corcoran.
Papillon Baby Cardigan
Baby cardigan jacket with cable butterfly on back. Sizes Baby 6 months, 12 months, 18 months, and 24 months. Designed by Melissa Leapman. DK weight yarn.
