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Article: Cable sweater patterns for spring, autumn, & winter knitting projects

Cable sweater patterns for spring, autumn, & winter knitting projects

Cable sweater patterns for spring, autumn, & winter knitting projects

Nothing screams fall knitting project more than cable knitting patterns for sweaters and accessories! They are so versatile, and easier than you think to work up. To me, cable knit sweater patterns scream "October!!" and fall colors like nothing else.

Read on for some of our favorite sweaters and accessories so you can knit up your dream cable wardrobe. All of these great projects are available via a  downloadable PDF. 

Classic gansey styling with cable yoke 

The Matthew Pullover is the perfect menswear inspired drop shoulder fall knitting project. Doesn't this basic cable knitting pattern just scream October?

I designed the Matthew with a vintage style with traditional cables, but with a modern twist. It comes with a modern fit, a size inclusive range, and optional bust darts for those who need room in the chest! 

This stunning gansey-inspired piece is knit up in a chunky gauge at 14 sts over 4"/10 cm. Last year, I wore a Matthew Pullover worked up in Nutiden all through fall and winter as outerwear. 

If you are feeling apprehensive about knitting a whole garment with cables in it, this is the one for you! 

This is an easy one because:

  • It has cables and texture in the yoke only, in all the right places.
  • By the time you work cables, you've already knit most of the sweater in Stockinette Stitch, with minimal shaping. 
  • The front panel and back panel are separate so it comes in small chunks. And you will never work a cable crossing on the wrong side rows.
  • Not only are the cable repeats on the right side rows, each twist is actually quite narrow. Therefore, you can easily work the simple cable pattern without using a cable needle (see a tutorial by my friend Lauren here). 

This gansey-inspired piece is timeless and stylish no matter what current trends are. The stitch pattern is so rhythmic and easy. The circular combo bottom up and then top down sleeve construction means there's no mattress stitch required, and the whole sweater is worked simply. The long sleeves are easy to modify if you need more or less sleeve length. 

The Matthew Pullover pattern on

Cable panels on a raglan for high impact

Friendship Pullover - Aimee Sher Makes

The Friendship Pullover is knit bottom up with intricate cables that are just mesmerizing. Cable panels are a good idea if you're looking for an alternative to knitting all-over cables. You'll work a bit of a cable front panel, then you get to just knit plain stockinette stitch around before the next cable round! 

The alluring cable knit sweater pattern flows from ribbing on the first row and into ribbing at the end, meeting other cables, criss-crossing like streams along the way, symbolizing the interconnected nature of our knitting community. This is a great project for knitting with your friends or for your next fiber festival outing. 

The bottom up structure is easy to work up. You won't have to keep track of raglan increases AND starting new cable repeats at the same time. The decrease rows are simple to track and not in the middle of the cable details. 

The resulting sweater is sporty and stylish, and suitable for all your best autumn outfits. The funnel neck creates a well-shaped high neck that doesn't choke you but fits amazingly, which creates a sporty modern twist. Choose a yarn with great stitch definition so the front panel really pops. 

The Friendship Pullover pattern on

Mix and match with lace in convertible mittens

Marilla's Mittens - Knitting Pattern (PDF) - Aimee Sher Makes

Cable knit patterns for sweaters and things are great! But there's a whole world of stunning stitch patterns that feature both cables and lace. 

Marilla's Mittens is a pattern that is super versatile. To preserve the pattern over the top of the hand, I created a new (as far as I know!) technique to create convertible mittens that don't involve ribbing on the top of the hand. 

They come in regular ol' mitten version, fingerless, and convertible so you can knit them any way that suits your lifestyle. The cables and lace create a beautiful botanical motif. Additionally, they're also inclusively sized, from toddler all the way up to adult large, which makes it a good pattern for the whole family. 

Marilla's Mittens pattern on

Cables on a dickey for a big statement

Vinstokke Dickie - Knitting Pattern (PDF) - Aimee Sher Makes

Have you ever knit a dickey with a knit cable pattern before? They're amazing for keeping your neck and core warm without adding additional bulk, so that you can wear them under jackets. 

By knitting a dickey, you'll be able to have a useful accessory to go with any outfit that'll layer flawlessly under work jackets and winter coats. The Vinstokke Dickey is truly an autumn-to-winter garment, so start now! 

Vinstokke pattern on

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