I’ve always loved those chunky cable knit blankets you see casually draped over the arm of a couch or across the end of a bed. They look so cozy and inviting that I couldn’t resist designing one of my own!
This free cable knit blanket pattern combines chunky cables with simple columns of knit and purl stitches for lots of texture. Worked with two strands of bulky-weight yarn held together, it creates a thick, cozy blanket that’s perfect for layering over a bed or curling up with on the couch.
The pattern as written makes a 36 × 46 in. (91 × 117 cm) blanket, but it’s easy to customize the width and length using the instructions below.
Cables and Columns Knit Blanket Pattern
Pattern Details
Skill level: Intermediate
Yarn: Bulky-weight yarn held double
Needles: 10 mm (US 15) and 12 mm (US 17) circular knitting needles with approximately 40 in. (100 cm) cables
Finished size: Approximately 36 × 46 in. (91 × 117 cm)
Construction: Worked flat from the bottom up with garter-stitch borders and repeating cable-and-column panels.
Materials
- 12 skeins bulky-weight yarn, approximately 136 yd (124 m) each
- 10 mm (US 15) circular knitting needles with approximately 40 in. (100 cm) cable
- 12 mm (US 17) circular knitting needles with approximately 40 in. (100 cm) cable
- Cable stitch holder or double-pointed needle for holding stitches
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
Knitting Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
rep – repeat
st(s) – stitch(es)
Pattern Notes
The blanket as written measures approximately 36 × 46 in. (91 × 117 cm).
To make the blanket wider, add stitches in multiples of 16 and work the additional stitches into the established pattern repeats.
To adjust the length, continue repeating Rows 11–16 until the blanket measures approximately 2 in. (5 cm) shorter than your desired finished length, then work the final garter-stitch border.
Note: Hold 2 strands of yarn together throughout the entire pattern.
Pattern Instructions
With smaller needles, cast on 84 sts.
Rows 1 through 6: Work garter stitch (knit every row).
Switch to larger needles.
Row 7: K4, P2, K8, P2, *K4, P2, K8, P2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 8: K4, K2, P8, K2, *P4, K2, P8, K2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 9: K4, P2, K8, P2, *K4, P2, K8, P2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 10: K4, K2, P8, K2, *P4, K2, P8, K2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 11 (cable row): K4, P2, slip next 4 sts to cable needle and hold to the front of your work, K4 from left needle, K4 from cable needle, P2, *K4, P2, slip next 4 sts to cable needle and hold to the front of your work, K4 from left needle, K4 from cable needle, P2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 12: K4, K2, P8, K2, *P4, K2, P8, K2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 13: K4, P2, K8, P2, *K4, P2, K8, P2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 14: K4, K2, P8, K2, *P4, K2, P8, K2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 15: K4, P2, K8, P2, *K4, P2, K8, P2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Row 16: K4, K2, P8, K2, *P4, K2, P8, K2, repeat from * 3 more times, K4 — 84 sts.
Repeat Rows 11–16 until the blanket measures 44 in. (112 cm), or approximately 2 in. (5 cm) shorter than your desired finished length.
Switch to smaller needles and work 6 rows in garter stitch (knit every row).
Bind off.
More Cable Stitch Patterns to Knit
- Standard Rope Cables Pattern
- Loose 5-Rib Braid Cable Pattern
- No Cross Diamond Knit Cable Pattern
- 4-Rib Symmetrical Pretzel Knit Cable Pattern
Looking for another project? Browse all of my free knitting patterns
Hi, Your pattern write up on ravelry mentions other sizes are available. Where would I find them?
Thanks,
Leah
Trying to use the needles I already have. Would the pattern work with sizes 13 and 15?
It should but your stitch gauge and finished size may differ.
thanks, I am thinking now I could make the outside dege navy blue the main sections blue and gold and the small plain knitted strips green. Thanks for your idea. I will try a small swatch and see how I like it. Not only will I be making a nice gift for my granddaughter, but I am learning new things to do with my knitting myself. Thanks so much for your ideas and support. Marilyn
I would love to knit this , but I would like to use three different colors so I can use the three colors of my granddaughter’s college. She is at Notre dame so the colors would be navy blue, gold and Kelly green. If you think I could do it, can you give me some ideas on how to plan it out. If you don’t think it will work do you have other knitting pattern ideas ? Thanks to anyone who can help with this. Sometimes a grandma needs help from lots of folks to do a good job. Thanks, Marilyn Fogerty
Hi Marilyn 🙂 What a nice idea to make afghans for your granddaughters in their school colors!! Since this pattern uses two strands of yarn together, you could use two strands of different colors so that there is no color changing but both colors will run through the whole afghan. You may also like this striped blanket pattern which can use multiple colors and can be made to any size you desire: http://www.petalstopicots.com/2015/07/grow-with-me-knit-blanket-pattern/
Would it be possible to make this in a smaller version?
I don’t see why not; she notes to make it bigger, increase in increments of 16. So to make it smaller, try decreasing in increments of 16 as well. I am liking this to make panels for a poncho, using only single strand of worsted weight. You could practice the pattern on cheap “practice yarn” to see how it works up. We are supposed to make swatches anyway, right ;D
BEAUTIFUL. DEFINITELY SAVING TO MAKE ONE DAY.
So glad you like it!