Step into Cables Shawl Knitalong: A Free Cable Knit Stitch Library

There is nothing quite like watching a simple stitch grow into something structured and textured, and that is exactly what our newest make-along is all about. It is time to step into cable knitting with the Step into Cables Shawl KAL, our new cable knitalong here on the blog.

Challenge yourself to step into cable knitting without the overwhelm in this FREE cable knit shawl knitting pattern. Knit a beautiful, textured shawl while building your own cable knit stitch library, from a simple cabled ribbing to 8 more structured cable patterns.

Using just four colors, you will create 9 gorgeous cable stripes and a simple divider worked between each one to form your own cable knit shawl.

No time right now? Pin this free cable knitalong knitting pattern for later!

Get Your Step into Cables Shawl KAL eBook

We know not everyone likes to jump around the website to follow each section’s instructions, or prefers to knit without any ads, so I have put together an eBook for the Step into Cables Shawl KAL which includes all 9 cable stitch sections’ knitting patterns in one place, with detailed instructions, step-by-step tutorials for the special stitches, and charts.

You can also choose to upgrade to the Journey Pass for the FULL knitalong experience, with ad-free access to the videos, a 30-day free trial to the Stitching Squad, plus some extra bonus content.

You can already get a head start and grab the eBook or the Journey Pass here.

Share Your Progress and Join the Community

Join the Knitting with Chopsticks community to share your progress and see everyone’s makes. This is also the perfect place to ask any questions and get advice. Don’t be shy, it’s a really lovely community of knitters and crocheters.

More ways to share your progress:

• Use hashtag #StepIntoCablesShawlKAL and tag me @knittingwithchopsticks
• Add your project to Ravelry

What You’ll Need for the Step into Cables Shawl KAL Free Knitting Pattern

Materials List

• 3.75 mm/US 5 knitting needles
• DK weight yarn: Lion Brand Cottino (DK weight (3), 100 g, 55% cotton, 45% Merino Wool, 296 yds/271 m): You will need:
  • 1 skein Goose Down [614-098BE]: 40 g/120 yd/110 m2 skeins Dusk [614-109AF]: 110 g/328 yd/300 m2 skeins Eucalyptus [614-175Q]: 120 g/357 yd/327 m
  • 1 skein Straw [614-157AZ]: 30 g/88 yd/81 m
• Tapestry needle
• Scissors
• Cable needle (note: I like to just use my tapestry needle as a cable needle and it works fine)
• Optional: markers to help you keep track of repeats and edging stitches

The Yarn

The Step into Cables Shawl KAL is worked in Lion Brand Cottino, a DK weight (category 3) cotton and superwash merino blend yarn.

It’s a cotton and superwash merino blend, which means it blocks beautifully and shows off cable stitches with lovely definition. The cotton content has very little memory though, so it stays where you block it. Don’t skip blocking your swatch, and be thoughtful when you block the finished shawl too.

If you’re swapping yarns, always check the label and follow the washing instructions. A springy wool will hold the cables tighter and pull the fabric in more, while a smoother cotton or blend lets them relax and open up.

And as always, check your gauge. If it’s off, adjust your needle size before you get too far in.

Grab the Kit

We are putting together a yarn kit bundle for the Step into Cables Shawl KAL so you can grab your eBook and all the yarn you need in one purchase. The kit link will be added here as soon as it is available, so check back if you don’t see a button yet.

You will get the EBOOK PDF and the selected yarn kit all in one purchase!

Option 1: Sample Colors

Lion Brand Cottino (DK weight (3), 100 g, 55% cotton, 45% Merino Wool, 296 yds/271 m). You will need:

• 1 skein Straw [614-157AZ]
• 2 skeins Dusk [614-109AF]
• 2 skeins Eucalyptus [614-175Q]
• 1 skein Goose Down [614-098BE]

Option 2

Lion Brand Cottino (DK weight (3), 100 g, 55% cotton, 45% Merino Wool, 296 yds/271 m). You will need:

• 1 skein Peony [614-101AD]
• 2 skeins Jam [614-146AV]
• 2 skeins Dill [614-172V]
• 1 skein Goose Down [614-098BE]

Option 3

Lion Brand Cottino (DK weight (3), 100 g, 55% cotton, 45% Merino Wool, 296 yds/271 m). You will need:

• 1 skein Goose Down [614-098BE]
• 2 skeins Azul [614-106BL]
• 2 skeins Eucalyptus [614-175Q]
• 1 skein Wisteria [614-144T]

Option 4

Lion Brand Cottino (DK weight (3), 100 g, 55% cotton, 45% Merino Wool, 296 yds/271 m). You will need:

• 1 skein Goose Down [614-098BE]
• 2 skeins Cider [614-125V]
• 2 skeins Dill [614-172V]
• 1 skein Turmeric [614-158T]

More or Fewer Colors?

What if you want to make the Step into Cables Shawl KAL with more or fewer colors?

Great idea! As each stripe has a different cable design, it will look great in one or up to 10 colors.

You will need between 15 g/44 yd/41 m and 40 g/119 yd/108 m per section, depending on how long and how cable heavy it is, plus about 5 g/15 yd/13 m for each divider row.

Here are the section per section yarn requirements if you’d like to adjust your colors:

• Section 0: Divider (worked 8 times, once between each section): 5 g/15 yd/13 m in Goose Down, so about 40 g/120 yd/104 m in total
• Section 1: Cabled Ribbing: 25 g/75 yd/68 m in Dusk
• Section 2: Diamonds: 40 g/119 yd/108 m in Eucalyptus
• Section 3: Cruller Cables: 15 g/44 yd/41 m in Straw
• Section 4: Honeycomb: 30 g/89 yd/81 m in Dusk
• Section 5: Horseshoe Cable: 40 g/119 yd/108 m in Eucalyptus
• Section 6: Wave Cables: 30 g/89 yd/81 m in Dusk
• Section 7: Braids: 15 g/44 yd/41 m in Straw
• Section 8: Hourglass: 40 g/119 yd/108 m in Eucalyptus
• Section 9: Candy Cane Ribbing: 25 g/75 yd/68 m in Dusk

Note: keep in mind that these are approximate yardages, make sure to have some extra.

Feel free to mix and match the colors as you like, there are no fixed color combinations to follow for this shawl.

Size

The Step into Cables Shawl KAL is designed to be 30 cm/11.75″ wide and 172 cm/67.75″ long.

It can easily be adjusted! Individual stitch multiples for each section are given in the section instructions, but you can add or remove a multiple of 12 st to make it wider or narrower, except for the sections that feature a wide cable centered on a background of purl stitches, which need to stay centered. You can also easily adjust the length of each section.

Every section is 30 cm/11.75″ wide after blocking. The divider rows worked between the sections are approximately 1 cm/0.5″ high each and add about 8 cm/3.25″ to the total length.

Gauge

The blocked gauge for this shawl is 28 st and 30 rows for a 10 cm by 10 cm/4″ by 4″ square. I recommend using the stitch pattern from Section 1 for your gauge swatch (blocked!).

The shawl is designed with 3.75 mm/US 5 knitting needles. Although the exact size (and therefore gauge) isn’t critical for a shawl, superwash yarn and cable fabric both relax and open up a lot when blocked, so make sure to check your gauge after blocking. All measurements given are blocked.

Level

The knitalong shawl is an adventurous beginner to intermediate level knit shawl pattern. It is designed to introduce you to cable knitting, building up your skills section by section. Step-by-step video tutorials and charts are provided for any special stitches featured, so this is a great project to go beyond basic knits and purls.

Borders and Edges

To avoid any curling, a 1×1 ribbing border is built into the shawl design throughout each section. The first and last 6 stitches are worked in simple [k1, p1] ribbing.

Tip: add a stitch marker before the last 6 stitches on each end to mark the border.

The first stitch of every row is slipped to get a beautiful shawl edge, except on a color change row, where the first stitch is worked normally to keep the color change from being offset.

Video Tutorials

Find all the video tutorials for the Step into Cables Shawl KAL on my YouTube channel as each section releases.

General Notes

• This shawl maintains the same stitch count throughout. If your stitch count changes, it means a stitch was dropped or added accidentally, which is easy to do when slipping stitches onto a cable needle. Always double check at the end of your row.
• Don’t worry if sections look different in width before blocking. Cables pull in differently depending on the stitch pattern, and some sections will look thinner than others until they are blocked. Final size is achieved during blocking.

Changing Colors

• Cut yarn at each section.
• Leave a 10 to 15 cm/4 to 6″ tail.
• Weave in ends vertically along purl columns of the ribbing to keep them hidden.
• Avoid pulling too tight when weaving in your ends, they can distort the fabric and pull the cables out of shape.

Knitalong Goodies to Go With Your Shawl

A Knitalong is more fun with a few matching extras. I designed a small collection of Step into Cables goodies around the same stitches you’ll be working in the shawl, so you can carry your favorite section with you long after you bind off. Pick the stitch that catches your eye now, and it will keep you company from your first cable to your last.

• Totes ($19.99 to $29.99): 3 size options to choose from
  • 2 print options for totes with the same print on both sides: the Cabled Ribbing Tote, Wave Cables Tote,
  • 2 print options for totes with a different print on both sides: Diamonds & Cables Ribbing Tote, and Braided & Wave Cables Tote

• Notion pouches ($14.99 to $19.99): the Cabled Ribbing, Braided Cables, Wave Cables, and Hourglass pouches, for your cable needle, stitch markers, and tapestry needle – each design comes in 2 sizes.
• Notebooks ($13.99): the Cabled Ribbing, Diamonds, Horseshoe, Wave Cables, and Braided Cables notebooks, for row counts, notes to yourself, and your next project ideas.
• The Step into Cables Ceramic Mug ($14.99): for the tea or coffee that keeps you company between rows, 7 colors to choose from.

They also make a lovely gift for a knitting friend.

Shop all the Step into Cables goodies >>

Step into Cables Shawl KAL pattern Sections

Section 1 Coming October 14