Have you ever seen a cozy winter sweater or scarf that features a raised, braid-like texture? These are some of my favorite accessories, and they’re made with a technique called cable crochet.
So what exactly is cable crochet? How do you do it?
The basic building block of cable crochet is front-post and back-post stitches, which means working your newest stitch into the post of a stitch from the previous row, rather into the loops that form the top of that stitch. You can work into either the front or the back of the post, as shown below:
That photo is from a super helpful overview of cable crochet by The Unraveled Mitten, who’s also written up a post stitch tutorial.
As you can see, cable crochet is perfect for beginner crocheters who have a bit of experience under their belt, know the basic crochet stitches, and feel ready to learn a new technique!
There are so many things you can make with cable crochet, so let’s dive right in, starting with stunning cable crochet hats and headbands!
Table of Contents
1. Caron Crochet Cable Twist Hat
First up is this cozy cable crochet beanie, which also features a fun pom-pom! As with any cable crochet pattern, you’ll need to know how to work in the front and back posts, and for this pattern specifically you will also need to know how to do a double crochet decrease in the front post. The pattern is for one size of hat that should fit most adults, and it includes instructions for how to make the pom-pom.
2. Cable Stitch Hat
Here’s another fun and cozy cable crochet hat, this time featuring an accent color brim and multicolor pom–pom. For this project, you’ll need lightweight number three yarn and knowledge of simple stitches plus working in the front post.
3. Women’s Cable Ear Warmer
If you prefer an ear warmer to a full hat, this is the pattern for you. To make one, you will need worsted-weight yarn and knowledge of cable crochet. This is a good pattern if you are pretty new to cable crochet, because there’s a video tutorial and helpful progress photos.
4. Easy Fit Cable Headband
This is a great headband because it’s made with elastic and can adjust to the size of your head. And if you’ve never done cable crochet before, don’t worry! There are helpful photos to guide you through the process. So just pick up some worsted weight yarn—sparkly versions look especially wonderful—and you’ll have a cozy headband in no time.
5. Cable Stitch Square Hat With Pom Poms
I love this hat because it has not one but two pom-poms! The pattern includes both youth and adult sizes, and the hat is worked as a rectangle which is then folded and seamed together. It’s a great choice if you prefer working in rows to working in the round.
6. Dreamy Cable Hat
This cable hat features a stunning braided texture and looks especially good in gradient yarn. For this project, you will need two skeins of sock weight or fingering yarn, so you can hold two strands together.
7. Newborn Cable Beanie
And if you want to make a cable beanie for a baby, check out this pattern! This hat should fit newborns through 3-month-olds and is absolutely adorable! To make one, pick up some fingering weight yarn and get ready to work in the front and back posts to create a lovely cable motif.
Now let’s move on from accessories that will keep your head warm to accessories that will keep your hands warm!
8. Cable Wrist Warmer
These cable wrist warmers are the perfect solution for chilly winter days when you still need to be able to use your hands. They’re made with worsted weight yarn and a variety of front-post and back-post stitches.
9. Cable Gauntlets
These crochet cable gauntlets are made with worsted-weight yarn and feature a gorgeous offset cable that lend a pop of style to your winter outfit. I love the blue color used by the designer because it’s absolutely perfect for a frosty winter day.
10. Cable Fingerless Gloves
These cable fingerless gloves are not just cozy, they’re also practical. They leave your thumbs entirely free so you can do any tasks you need to—even crochet!
And we all know that our necks can get chilly in the winter too, so let’s turn to scarves.
11. Red Heart Crochet Starter Scarf
Scarves are a great way to show off cable crochet because the cable extends the length of the scarf. This scarf in particular reminds me of a beautiful forest, and best of all, it’ll keep you warm. Just grab your favorite weight of yarn, make sure you know how to work in the front and back posts, and make sure you know the popcorn stitch. Then you’ll be ready to start crocheting!
12. Crochet Cable Stitch Scarf For Men
My favorite thing about this scarf is the repeating rows of a cable design, though the tassels are a close second! For this project, you’ll need worsted-weight yarn, and if you haven’t done cable crochet before, you can easily learn through the video tutorial.
13. Cable Scarf
This cable scarf looks absolutely beautiful in a cream colored yarn, and the best part about the pattern is that you can use any yarn weight and corresponding hook size. I think using a thick wool yarn would be a wonderful way to stay warm this winter.
Of course, accessories aren’t the only thing you can make with cable crochet—let’s take a look at some other free patterns that feature this technique.
14. Cable Stitch Dishcloth
One great project you can use to feature the cable stitch is a dishcloth. These look so fun especially when they’re multicolor, and the pattern even includes a link to a cable stitch tutorial.
15. Cable Christmas Stocking
With the holidays coming up, you might want to crochet some Christmas stockings! With their cable design, these stockings look just like a cozy sweater, combining some of the best parts of winter all in one project. To make a stocking, grab some worsted-weight yarn in your favorite Christmas color, and get ready to work in the front and back posts.
16. Cable Diamond Pillow
Or maybe you just want some home décor, in which case this pillow cover is the perfect choice. It features multiple cabled motifs that come together in a cohesive and beautiful design. To make one, you will need sport weight yarn in a color that matches your home.
17. Tiny Cable Stitch Basket
This cable stitch basket is super cute! It’s the perfect place to store pens, pencils, or even crochet hooks. And since it’s small, it’ll work up quickly.
18. Cable Stitch Crocheted Coffee Sleeve
One fun part of fall and winter is trying festive beverages, whether that be a pumpkin spice latte or a peppermint mocha. And this cable stitch crocheted coffee sleeve is the perfect accessory to carry around whatever warm beverage you find yourself sipping in the winter chill. It’s made with sport-weight yarn and can even be made multicolor!
19. Simple Chunky Cable Crochet Slippers
Last but not least are these chunky cable crochet slippers, which, like the accessories at the beginning of this round-up, will keep you nice and warm as the snow begins to fall. For this project, you’ll need a weight 5 bulky yarn, which not only lends warmth but also helps the project work up quickly. The pattern includes two sizes, for women’s shoe size 6 to 8 and women’s shoe size 9 to 11, and you can make both sizes in either an average or a wide width.
So which cable crochet projects will you be making as the winter gets colder? Let us know in the comments!
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