A cable knit sweater is the project a lot of knitters dream about from the start. The twisted columns look hard, but most cables are just a few stitches moved in front of or behind their neighbors. Once you work your first crossing, you will want to cable everything.
This list has 13 free cable sweater patterns we opened and checked one by one. You will find chunky sweaters with a single cable panel, classic aran pullovers, a shawl collar style, and a few modern shapes. Each one lists the skill level, yarn and needle size so you can pick the right fit for your hands.
Cable Knit Sweater Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Cable needles in a few sizes
- Interchangeable circular needle set
- Locking stitch markers
- Row counter
- Wool or wool-blend worsted or aran yarn
- Tapestry needles for seaming
- Blocking mats and pins
1. Chunky Cable Knit Sweater
Photo: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
This is the friendliest way into cable sweaters. It is knit in jumbo yarn on big needles, so it grows fast. A single six-row cable panel runs down the front while the back stays plain stockinette, which means you only cable on one piece. It is worked flat in four pieces with raglan shaping and then seamed. The full pattern is free on the page, with a paid ad-free PDF if you want one.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos / Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy (advanced beginner)
- Yarn: Jumbo (#7)
- Needle size: 12 mm (US 17) and 15 mm (US 19)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Split Hem Cable Pullover
A cozy pullover with cables and a split hem that looks great over leggings or jeans. It is made in Patons Alpaca Blend, which mixes alpaca warmth with easy-care acrylic. The size range goes from XS/S up to XL with a 52½” finished bust, so there is room to choose your ease. This is a solid second cable project once you can read a cable row.
- Designer: Patons / Yarnspirations
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: Patons Alpaca Blend (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Cable-Knit Pullover Sweater
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
A traditional fisherman-style aran with a mock turtleneck and drop sleeves. It uses Lion Brand Homespun, a soft bulky yarn, so the cables come out puffy and squishy instead of crisp. It is worked in pieces and sewn together. If you want the classic aran look without fine yarn, this is a good pick. Free registration on the Lion Brand site may be needed to download.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky (#5), Lion Brand Homespun
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9) and 8 mm (US 11), plus 5 mm (US 8) circular for the neck
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Shawl Collar Cable Pullover
Photo: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
The star here is a wide cabled shawl collar that flows down into the front. It is unisex, sized for chests from 32 to 52 inches, and knit flat in pieces in Lion Brand Wool-Ease. The written pattern is free on the page, with the cable charts as separate free downloads. It is rated advanced, so save it for when you are comfortable with charts.
- Designer: Joanne Loh / Craft Passion
- Skill level: Advanced
- Yarn: Worsted (#4), Lion Brand Wool-Ease
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6), 4.5 mm (US 7) and 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Men’s Cable Pullover
Photo: Lea Petäjä / Novita
A handsome crew neck with long sleeves and cables, written for men in sizes XS to XXL. It is worked bottom-up in an aran-weight wool and nylon blend that holds up to daily wear. If you have been asked for a sweater by a partner, dad or brother, this is a clean, classic option that does not look too fussy.
- Designer: Lea Petäjä / Novita
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran, Novita 7 Veljestä
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Quinn Pullover
A modern take on the classic cable sweater with drop shoulders. The body is worked in the round from the bottom up, then split for front and back and joined with a three-needle bind-off. Sleeves are picked up and knit in the round, so seaming is minimal. The size range is wide, from XS to 5X. Some experience with cable charts helps.
- Designer: Kaitlin Barthold / Originally Lovely
- Skill level: Intermediate (chart experience helps)
- Yarn: Lion Brand Re-Tweed (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Cloud Nine Cables
Photo: Sugar Bush Yarns
This one is for knitters who want detail. An intricate cable design covers the sweater, and it is meant for a fine merino, silk and cashmere blend that makes every crossing stand out. It is seamed and worked flat, with written instructions and a schematic. Sizes run S to L.
- Designer: Sugar Bush Yarns
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Sport / DK, Sugar Bush Bliss
- Needle size: 3.5 mm (US 4) and 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Claire Cable Sweater
Photo: Premier Yarns
A finer-gauge cable sweater knit in Premier Bamboo Joy, which gives it a soft drape. It uses two cable needles for the bigger crossings and comes in sizes Small through 3X. It is rated advanced, so it is a good “level up” project once you have a cable sweater or two behind you.
- Designer: Premier Yarns
- Skill level: Advanced
- Yarn: Premier Bamboo Joy (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6) and 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. First Snow
Photo: Naomi Odean / Knitty
An oversized pullover with one big cable built from several smaller cables, which keeps the fabric from puckering. The cable splits at the neckline to form a wide V. It is knit on 9 mm needles, so it is a quick sweater. Sizes run from XS to 3X, and the full pattern is on the page.
- Designer: Naomi Odean / Knitty
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: GGH Husky (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: 9 mm (US 13)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Sequoia Sweater
A relaxed bottom-up sweater with a front cable panel that runs up into a loose high neck. It is knit in a bulky superwash wool, so it is warm and easy to wash. With one panel instead of all-over cables, it is a nice middle step between beginner and full aran.
- Designer: Amy Gunderson / Universal Yarn
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Bulky, Universal Deluxe Bulky Superwash
- Needle size: 6.5 mm (US 10½)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Portico
Photo: Emma Wright (for Rowan)
A relaxed, oversized crew neck with drop sleeves and a mix of cable and textured stitches. It is worked flat in pieces and seamed. The DK cotton-yak blend keeps it lighter than a wool aran, so it suits spring and fall. Sizes run from 32 to 50 inches.
- Designer: Emma Wright (for Rowan)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3), Rowan Softyak DK
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Maija Pullover
Photo: Mari Muinonen / tikru
A fitted, seamless pullover worked top-down in the round with raglan sleeves and cable details. It has a collar and a buttoned front opening. Top-down means you can try it on as you go, which is a big help with fit. Sizes run from 83 to 142 cm bust.
- Designer: Mari Muinonen / tikru
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: Aran
- Needle size: 5.5 mm (US 9)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
13. Gina
Photo: Norah Gaughan / Berroco
A women’s sweater with a textured cable motif and a fitted bodice, knit in pieces with raglan armholes and a ribbed collar. It comes from a well-known cable designer and is rated experienced. Make this when you want a cable sweater with a little more shape than the usual boxy aran.
- Designer: Norah Gaughan / Berroco
- Skill level: Experienced
- Yarn: Berroco Vintage (see pattern for weight)
- Needle size: US 8 (5 mm)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First cable sweater ever? Start with #1. Jumbo yarn, one cable panel, and it is done in a few evenings.
- Want one panel, not all-over cables? Try #10 or #9. You learn to cross cables without tracking many charts at once.
- Knitting for a guy? Go with #5, or the unisex shawl collar in #4.
- Hate seaming? Pick #12 (seamless top-down) or #6 (mostly in the round).
- Ready for a challenge? #7, #8 and #13 are the most detailed on this list.
FAQ
Are cable sweaters hard to knit?
Not as hard as they look. A cable is just a few stitches held on a cable needle and knit out of order. If you can knit, purl and follow a row count, you can cable. Start with a single panel and bulky yarn so mistakes are easy to see and fix.
What yarn is best for a cable knit sweater?
Smooth, light-colored wool or wool blends show cables best. Worsted and aran weights are the classic choice. Very fuzzy or dark yarns hide the twists. Cables also pull the fabric in, so a cable sweater uses more yarn than a plain one of the same size.
Do I need a cable needle?
A cable needle makes things easier at first, especially for wide crossings. Many knitters later learn to cable without one. For small two-stitch twists, you can often skip it. Keep one handy for anything over four stitches.
Pick one pattern, grab a cable needle, and enjoy watching those twists stack up row by row.
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