Vintage Women’s Cable Knit Sweater – FREE Knitting Pattern

Women’s cable knit sweater
Women’s cable knit sweater

Vintage Women’s Cable Knit Sweater – Modernized Pattern from 1954

This timeless women’s cable knit sweater pattern was originally published in the Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats & Clark in 1954. Featuring classic cables and elegant shaping, it’s a versatile design perfect for any wardrobe. I’ve re-written the instructions using modern terminology and simplified formatting to make it more accessible and beginner-friendly. Whether you’re a vintage knitting enthusiast or looking for a chic, retro-inspired project, this updated pattern is sure to inspire. Enjoy creating your very own piece of 1950s fashion history!

This is a vintage crochet pattern originally published in Knit and Crochet Style Parade by Coats and Clark’s in 1954. The pattern has entered the public domain as the original copyright was not renewed. I’ve modernized it using today’s crafting terms and made it more reader-friendly for modern crafters. You can read more about copyright essentials here.

To explore all the FREE patterns from this book, click here.

Materials

  • Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4 Ply (1 oz skeins), use double yarn throughout:
  • Skeins needed:
    • Size 30: 26 skeins
    • Size 32: 28 skeins
    • Size 34: 30 skeins
    • Size 36: 33 skeins
    • Size 38: 36 skeins
  • Needles:
  • One pair of No. 6 knitting pins (4.25 mm)
  • One pair of No. 8 knitting pins (5 mm)
  • Other Tools:
  • Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Crochet Hook No. 8
  • Crown Lightweight Separating Zipper, Style F.3
  • Cable needle or double-pointed needle
  • Gauge:
  • 4.5 stitches = 1 inch
  • 6 rows = 1 inch

Cable Knit Sweater Back

  1. Cast On:
  • Using double yarn and No. 6 knitting pins, cast on:
    • Size 30: 66 stitches
    • Size 32: 70 stitches
    • Size 34: 74 stitches
    • Size 36: 82 stitches
    • Size 38: 86 stitches
  1. Ribbing:
  • Work in k2, p2 ribbing as follows:
    • Row 1: *K2, p2; repeat from * across.
    • Row 2: *P2, k2; repeat from * across.
  • Repeat these two rows until the piece measures:
    • Size 30: 2 1/4 inches
    • Sizes 32–38: 2 3/4 inches
  • For sizes 30, 32, and 34, increase 1 stitch at both ends of the last row.
  1. Pattern:
  • Switch to No. 8 knitting pins and begin working in pattern:
    • Row 1: Purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, *knit 10, purl 6; repeat from * to the last 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) stitches, knit 10, purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21).
    • Row 2: Knit 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, *purl 10, knit 6; repeat from * to the last 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) stitches, purl 10, knit 13 (15, 17, 19, 21).
    • Row 3 (Cable Row): Purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, *work a cable over the next 10 stitches:
    • Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, knit 3, knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.
    • Slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.*
      Purl 6. Repeat from * to the last 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) stitches, work the cable over the next 10 stitches, purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21).
    • Row 4: Repeat Row 2.
  • Repeat Rows 1 and 2 for Rows 5–14.
  • Row 15 (Cable Row): Purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, *work an alternate cable over the next 10 stitches:
    • Slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in back, knit 2, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.
    • Slip 2 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front, knit 3, knit the 2 stitches from the cable needle.*
      Purl 6. Repeat from * to the last 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) stitches, work the alternate cable over the next 10 stitches, purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21).
  • Row 16: Knit 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, *purl 2, (knit 1, purl 1) 3 times, purl 2, knit 6; repeat from * to the last 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) stitches, purl 2, (knit 1, purl 1) 3 times, purl 2, knit 13 (15, 17, 19, 21).
  • Row 17: Purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, *knit 2, (purl 1, knit 1) 3 times, knit 2, purl 6; repeat from * to the last 23 (25, 27, 29, 31) stitches, knit 2, (purl 1, knit 1) 3 times, knit 2, purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21).
  • Repeat Rows 16 and 17 for Rows 18–25.
  • Row 26: Repeat Row 16.
  1. The last 24 rows (Rows 3–26) form the cable pattern repeat.
  2. Work in Pattern:
  • Continue in the established pattern until the piece measures:
    • Size 30: 12 inches
    • Size 32: 12 1/4 inches
    • Size 34: 13 inches
    • Size 36: 13 1/4 inches
    • Size 38: 14 inches
  • End with an even row.
  1. Mark for Armholes:
  • Place a marker at both ends of the row to indicate the start of the armhole.
  1. Armhole Section:
  • Continue working in pattern until the piece measures 6 1/2 inches (size 30), 7 inches (size 32), 7 1/4 inches (size 34), 8 inches (size 36), or 8 inches (size 38) from the armhole marker.

To Shape Shoulders (Back)

  1. Bind off 8 (8, 6, 7, 7) stitches at the beginning of the next 4 (4, 8, 6, 8) rows.
  2. Bind off 6 (7, 0, 5, 0) stitches at the beginning of the next 2 (2, 0, 2, 0) rows.
  3. Place the remaining 24 (26, 28, 30, 30) stitches on a stitch holder for the neckband.

Left Front

  1. Cast On: Using No. 6 knitting pins and double yarn, cast on 40 (42, 44, 46, 48) stitches.
  2. Ribbing:
  • Work in k2, p2 ribbing:
    • Row 1: Purl 0 (2, 0, 2, 0) stitches, *k2, p2; repeat from * across.
    • Row 2: *K2, p2; repeat from * across.
  • For sizes 12 and 16 only, end Row 2 with k2.
  • Continue ribbing until the piece measures 2 1/4 (2 3/4, 3, 3, 3 3/4) inches.
  • For sizes 16 and 18 only, increase 1 stitch at the end of the last row.
  1. Body:
  • Switch to No. 8 knitting pins and begin the cable pattern:
    • Row 1: Purl 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches, (k10, p6) 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) times; k10, p1.
    • Row 2: K1, p10, (k6, p10) 1 (1, 2, 2, 2) times; knit 13 (15, 17, 19, 21) stitches.
  • Work in the cable pattern as established until the piece measures 12 (12 1/4, 13, 13 1/4, 14) inches.
  1. Mark Armhole:
  • Place a marker at the beginning of the row and continue in pattern until the piece measures 4 (4 1/4, 5, 5, 5) inches from the marker.
  1. Shape Neck:
  • Bind off 13 (14, 15, 15, 15) stitches at the beginning of the next row.
  • Decrease 1 stitch at the same edge every other row until 22 (23, 24, 26, 28) stitches remain.
  • Work without decreasing until the piece measures 6 1/4 (7, 7 1/2, 8, 8) inches from the marker, ending at the side edge.
  1. Shape Shoulder:
  • Bind off 8 (8, 6, 7, 7) stitches at the beginning of the next row and every other row 2 (2, 4, 3, 4) times.
  • For sizes 10, 12, and 16 only, work one more row and bind off remaining stitches.

Right Front

Work as for the Left Front, reversing the ribbing, cable pattern, and all shapings.

Sleeves

  1. Cast On: Using No. 6 knitting pins and double yarn, cast on 40 (40, 40, 44, 48) stitches.
  2. Ribbing:
  • Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 3 inches.
  • For sizes 10, 12, and 14 only, increase 1 stitch at both ends of the last row.
  1. Body:
  • Switch to No. 8 knitting pins and begin the cable pattern:
    • Row 1: Purl 0 (0, 0, 1, 3) stitches, (k10, p6) twice; k10, purl 0 (0, 0, 1, 3) stitches.
    • Row 2: Knit 0 (0, 0, 1, 3) stitches, (p10, k6) twice; p10, knit 0 (0, 0, 1, 3) stitches.
  • Continue in the cable pattern, increasing 1 stitch at both ends of every 8th row until there are 56 (58, 62, 66, 68) stitches.
  • Work without increasing until the sleeve measures 18 (19, 20, 20, 20 1/4) inches.
  1. Finish: Bind off loosely.

Neckband

  1. Sew the shoulder seams.
  2. Using No. 6 knitting pins and double yarn, pick up and knit evenly around the entire neck edge, including the stitches on the stitch holder. You should have 62 (62, 66, 70, 74) stitches.
  3. Work in k2, p2 ribbing for 1 inch.
  4. Bind off in ribbing.

Finishing

  1. Block all pieces to the specified measurements.
  2. Sew the side and sleeve seams.
  3. Set the sleeves into the armholes.
  4. Using a crochet hook, work a row of single crochet along both front edges to finish neatly.
  5. Sew the zipper into place along the front edges.

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