No cable needle needed! Knitting patterns for using lace and texture stitches to get a cable look. Many of the patterns are free. Updated 9/6/24
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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.
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Free Patterns
First Frost Hat
What looks like a cable on this slouchy beanie is actually a mock cable lace design. No cable needle required! 2 sizes 18", 22". Uses 100g of Aran weight yarn, so could be one skein. Designed by Carlie Perrins.
Trailhopper Baby Hat
Earflap baby hat in stockinette with mock cable ribbing and I-cord ties. Sizes Newborn-3 mo (6-12 mo, 12-24 mo). Uses just 1 skein (230 yards) of the recommended yarn. Designed by Rachel Brockman. Note that the Crosscut sweater pattern is also free - link on my Baby Sweater pattern post.
Faux Cable Beanie
No cables needle needed for the 8 round repeat spiral columns on this beanie hat. 2 sizes 18", 22". Uses one skein 100 - 150 yards (91 - 137 m) of Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Meagan Poteete-Johnson. Pictured projects by designer and beaumerstitcher
Glacier Fingerless Gloves
No cables! This with a graceful curving lace pattern that looks like cables. Great showcase for self-striping sock yarn. DK weight yarn. Designed by Mirella Moments.
Symre Twist and Winter Lily
Dish cloths or afghans block knit with lace and slipped stitches that look like cables. Top pattern is Symre Twist. Below that is Winter Lily. I'd love to adapt these to full size blankets. DK weight yarn. Designed by Anne Eliassen. Pictured projects by IngerMarieR. Available in English and Norwegian
- Get the free Symre Twist knitting pattern
- Get the free Winter Lily knitting pattern
- See more Dish Cloth Knitting Patterns
Turtle Tracks Blanket and Pillow
Throw and cushion knit a zigzag and curving mock cable texture that is created with decreases and increases. No cables! Size Blanket: Approx 45 x 60 ins. Pillow: Approx 16 ins [40.5 cm] square. Quick knit in Super Bulky weight yarn. Designed by Premier Yarns Design Team.
- Get the free knitting patterns
- See the Ravelry page
- See more Blanket and Pillow Set Knitting Patterns
Crazy Ribs Fingerless Gloves
No cables! This diamond lattice rib pattern is created with increases and decreases. Great showcase for self-striping sock yarn. Uses less than one skein of 250 - 300 yards (229 - 274 m) of Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Laura Peveler.
Faux Cables Socks
These socks feature slipped stitches and twisted stitches creating a design that looks like cables. Worked from the top down with a heel flap and gusset. Only one color is used per round. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by imawale imawale. Available in English and French
No-Cable Cable Scarf
Scarf knit with a latticework design that mimics the look of cables. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Purl Soho.
Maze Mitts
Fingerless mitts with a 12 row repeat lace pattern that mimics the look of cables. 3 sizes. Uses 1 skein 120 - 137 yards (110 - 125 m) of the recommended DK weight yarn. Designed by Anna Zhuravleva.
Piles of Pistachio
The 4 round repeat pistachio stitch used in this hat gives the look of cables while maintaining a stretchy fit. The pistachios are created by pulling elongated loops up from rows below current working row and is a great way to highlight variegated yarns. Used 1 skein 200 - 230 yards (183 - 210 m) of the recommended Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Wren Couture.
Leaf of Life Scarf
Lace scarf knit with a 10 row repeat lace stitch that looks like a cable. Designed by Lena Skvagerson. Aran weight yarn. Featured in Knit and Crochet Now and also one of the patterns in Learn-a-Stitch Knit Scarves.
More Free Patterns
Bright Sparks Hat
Beanie knit with a 4 round repeat faux cable and rib pattern. Sizes S, M and L. Uses one skein 130 - 218 yards (119 - 199 m) of DK weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Nihoniho.
Sigga Baby Vest
Sleeveless baby pullover knit in a 4 row repeat Mock Cable stitch. Sizes 0-3 (6-9) 12-18 (24) months. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Sanne Bjerregaard for Filcolana. Available in English, Danish, and German
Keyhole Poncho
Pullover poncho with a 4 row repeat Keyhole Mock Cable stitch detail down front and back. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Julie Gaddy for Cascade Yarns.
- Get the free knitting pattern
- See the Ravelry page - links don't work
- See more Collared Ponchos Knitting Patterns
Kaya's Scarf
Scarf knit with a 4 row repeat lace combination of Eyelet Mock Cables and a Zig Zag stitch. Web pattern is free. A printable pdf is available for purchase. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Rachel Carson Hill.
- Get the free knitting pattern - Web version - scroll to bottom of target page
- Purchase a printable pdf
- See more 4 Scarf Knitting Patterns
Mock Cable Socks
Cuff down socks with heel gusset and a mock cable eyelet lace pattern on cuff. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by JoAnne Turcotte.
Mock Cable Baby Hat and Blanket
Easy matching baby blanket and hat set knit in a 4 row repeat mock cable eyelet stitch. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Pam Bledsoe for Cascade Yarns.
Mock Cable Cardi
This cardigan fits American Girl Dolls as well as most 18” dolls. The mock cables featured on the front panels mirror each other. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Robin Lynn.
Sweet and Cozy Baby Blanket
Striped baby blanket knit with an 8 row repeat mock cable (no cable needle needed). Size Blanket measures 30" (76 cm) x 38" (96.5 cm) . Aran weight yarn. Designed by Corey Small.
Soft As A Cloud Cowls
Cowl knit as a 4 row repeat Mock Cable and Spiral Rib. Versions also included for only Mock Cable and only Spiral Rib. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Purl Soho.
Loopy Lace Scarf
This scarf features a reversible 4-row repeat lace honeycomb stitch and a loop to keep it in place! Designed by Katie Harris. Pictured project by crumbgrubbers
Gear Stick Sock
This gear shift cozy by imawhale protects your hand freezing in the winter or burning in the summer.
No Lo Sé Shawl
Crescent-shaped lace shawl that knits up in no time, starting at one tip and gradually growing larger, featuring a garter stitch section, mock cable eyelet section, and a lace section. Fingering weight yarn. Designed by Renate Siebke for Knotions.
Devant la cheminée
Mona NicLeoid’s legwarmers feature a simple faux cable pattern and cute ruffles. FYI, the name of the pattern means “In front of the chimney” in French though the pattern is in English.
Augusta Fingerless Mitts
Fingerless mitts knit with a 4 row repeat mock cable stitch. Designed by Lena Gjerald. Uses one skein 164 - 219 yards (150 - 200 m) of Sport weight yarn.
Patterns for Purchase
Keyhole Scarf
No cable needles! Easy knitting pattern for a long keyhole scarf in a beautiful mock cable pattern with opening allows the scarf to be pulled up snuggly in a coat neckline and stay securely in place. Worsted weight yarn. Designed by Karen Bennett
Suainte Fingerless Mitts
No cables! The beautiful trellis design on these mitts are not cables, but smocked or wrapped stitches. Two sizes. Suainte means entwined in Scottish Gaelic. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Liz Corke
High Seas Balaclava
This elegant balaclava features a 4 row/round repeat faux cable stitch (no cable needle necessary!) and a drawstring hood. Quick knit in bulky weight yarn. Designed by Alexandra Tavel of Two of Wands. Kit is also available.
Hat, Scarf, & Wrist Warmers
Mock cable matching hat, scarf, and arm warmers knit in a 4 row repeat twisted stitch that doesn't use a cable needle. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Sarah Murray
Tajimi Mock Cable and Lace Shawl
Shawl knit with lace stitches including mock cables. The stitches are charted and written out for this pattern. Designed by WearableArtEmporium.
Giro Mock Cable Scarf
Scarf knit with an intricate Japanese stitch. The stitch is charted and written out for this pattern. Sport weight yarn. Designed by WearableArtEmporium.
Faux Cable Slouchy Hat
Slouchy hat knit with wide brim of mock cable rib. DK weight yarn. Designed by haloopajoop.
Margo Poncho for Adults or Children
Pullover poncho open at sides and buttoned together. Worked flat in two pieces (front and back). Both the front and back feature an easy faux cable stitch pattern that is fun and interesting to knit. The back piece is longer than the front, creating a more modern silhouette. Two versions: Adult version sizes S/M (L/XL). Child version sizes 4-5 (6-7, 8-9, 10-11, 12-13, 14-15) yrs. Aran weight yarn. Designed by Elizabeth Smith.
- See more pics and get the ADULT knitting pattern at Lovecrafts
- See more pics and get the CHILD version
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