Vintage Men’s Cable Knit Sweater – FREE Knitting Pattern

Men’s cable knit sweater

This is a vintage knitting pattern for a men’s cable sweater originally published in “Knit and Crochet Style Parade” in 1954 by Coats & Clark’s. It is now in the public domain as the original copyright was never renewed. I have re-written the pattern using modern terms and made the pattern more reader friendly. The original un-edited pattern is also listed below for those who are interested.

Man’s Cable Knit Sweater Pattern

Yarn: Chadwick’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4-ply (1 oz skeins).

  • Number of skeins needed:
    • Size 30: 13 skeins
    • Size 32: 15 skeins
    • Size 34: 17 skeins
    • Size 36: 19 skeins
    • Size 38: 21 skeins
    • Size 40: 24 skeins
    • Size 42: 27 skeins
    • Size 44: 30 skeins

Needles:

  • US Size 2 (2.75 mm) knitting needles for ribbing.
  • US Size 4 (3.5 mm) knitting needles for the body.
  • Double-pointed needles, US Size 2, for cables.

Gauge:

  • 6 stitches = 1 inch
  • 8 rows = 1 inch

Back

Ribbing

  1. Cast On: Using US Size 2 needles, cast on:
    • Size 30: 88 sts
    • Size 32: 96 sts
    • Size 34: 104 sts
    • Size 36: 108 sts
    • Size 38: 112 sts
    • Size 40: 120 sts
    • Size 42: 124 sts
    • Size 44: 132 sts
  2. Work Ribbing: Knit 2, purl 2 (k2, p2) ribbing for:
    • Size 30: 2 1/4 inches
    • Size 32: 2 1/2 inches
    • Size 34: 3 inches
    • Size 36: 3 inches
    • Size 38: 3 1/4 inches
    • Size 40: 3 1/4 inches
    • Size 42: 3 1/4 inches
    • Size 44: 4 inches
  3. Adjust Stitches:
    • For Sizes 32, 36, 40, and 44: Decrease 1 stitch at the end of the last row of ribbing.
    • For Sizes 30, 34, 38, and 42: Increase 1 stitch at the end of the last row of ribbing.
  4. Switch to US Size 4 needles.

Cable Pattern

Set Up Pattern (Rows 1–20):

  1. Row 1 (RS):
    • Knit (k) 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0) stitches.
    • Purl (p) 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) stitches.
    • Repeat the following across the row:
      • K1, p2, k8 (cable), p2. Repeat 5 (5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9) more times.
    • End with k1, p2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0), k3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0).
  2. Row 2 (WS):
    • Purl (p) 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0).
    • Knit (k) 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0).
    • Repeat the following across the row:
      • P1, k2, p8 (cable), k2. Repeat 5 (5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9) more times.
    • End with p1, k2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0), p3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0).
  3. Rows 3–6: Repeat Rows 1 and 2.
  4. Row 7 (Cable Row):
    • To create the cable, work as follows:
      • Slip the next 4 stitches onto a cable needle and hold in front of work.
      • Knit the next 4 stitches, then knit the 4 stitches from the cable needle.
    • On Size 42 only, make an additional cable at the beginning and end of the row.
    • Continue in pattern, ensuring cables align as established.
  5. Row 8: Repeat Row 2.
  6. Rows 9–18: Repeat Rows 1 and 2 alternately.
  7. Row 19: Repeat Row 7.
  8. Row 20: Repeat Row 2.

Work Evenly in Pattern

  • Continue working in the established pattern (Rows 3–20) until the piece measures:
    • Size 30: 12 1/4 inches
    • Size 32: 12 3/4 inches
    • Size 34: 12 3/4 inches
    • Size 36: 15 inches
    • Size 38: 15 1/4 inches
    • Size 40: 16 inches
    • Size 42: 16 inches
    • Size 44: 16 1/2 inches

To Shape Armholes:

  1. Bind off at the beginning of the next 2 rows as follows:
    • Size 30: 5 sts
    • Size 32: 6 sts
    • Size 34: 6 sts
    • Size 36: 6 sts
    • Size 38: 7 sts
    • Size 40: 7 sts
    • Size 42: 7 sts
    • Size 44: 8 sts
  2. Decrease 1 stitch at both ends of the next row and then every other row until there are:
    • Size 30: 73 sts
    • Size 32: 77 sts
    • Size 34: 85 sts
    • Size 36: 85 sts
    • Size 38: 89 sts
    • Size 40: 93 sts
    • Size 42: 97 sts
    • Size 44: 101 sts
  3. Work evenly in pattern (no decreases) until the piece measures 7 (7 1/4, 8, 9, 9, 9 1/4, 9 1/4, 9) inches from the first row of armhole shaping.

To Shape Shoulders:

  1. Bind off at the beginning of the next 4 (6, 6, 6, 8, 6, 6, 8) rows as follows:
    • Size 30: 7 sts
    • Size 32: 8 sts
    • Size 34: 9 sts
    • Size 36: 9 sts
    • Size 38: 7 sts
    • Size 40: 7 sts
    • Size 42: 8 sts
    • Size 44: 8 sts
  2. Bind off at the beginning of the next 2 rows as follows:
    • Size 30: 8 sts
    • Size 40: 9 sts
    • Size 42: 7 sts
  3. Place remaining stitches on a stitch holder to work later for the turtleneck.

Front

  1. Work the Front exactly as the Back until the piece measures 5 1/2 (6, 6, 6 1/2, 6 1/2, 6 1/2, 6 1/2, 6 3/4) inches from the first row of armhole shaping, ending with an even row.

To Shape the Neck:

  1. Work across the first 46 (48, 53, 53, 56, 58, 61, 64) stitches.
  2. Place the remaining 19 (19, 21, 21, 23, 23, 25, 27) stitches on a stitch holder for the turtleneck.
  3. Continue working in pattern over the last 27 (29, 32, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) stitches only.
  4. Decrease 1 stitch at the neck edge every other row until there are:

  1. Size 30: 22 sts
  2. Size 32: 24 sts
  3. Size 34: 27 sts
  4. Size 36: 27 sts
  5. Size 38: 28 sts
  6. Size 40: 30 sts
  7. Size 42: 31 sts
  8. Size 44: 32 sts
  9. Work evenly in pattern until the piece measures 7 (7 1/4, 8, 9, 9, 9 1/4, 9 1/4, 9) inches from the first row of armhole shaping, ending at the armhole edge.

To Shape the Shoulder:

  1. Bind off at the beginning of the next row and every other row as follows:
    • Size 30: 7 sts, 2 times
    • Size 32: 8 sts, 3 times
    • Size 34: 9 sts, 3 times
    • Size 36: 9 sts, 3 times
    • Size 38: 7 sts, 4 times
    • Size 40: 7 sts, 3 times
    • Size 42: 8 sts, 3 times
    • Size 44: 8 sts, 4 times
  2. Bind off any remaining stitches.
  3. Attach yarn to the opposite side of the neck and work to mirror the other side, reversing all shaping.

Sleeves

Ribbing:

  1. Cast On: Using US Size 2 needles, cast on:
    • Size 30, 32, 34: 52 sts
    • Size 36, 38: 64 sts
    • Size 40, 42, 44: 76 sts
  2. Work in k2, p2 ribbing for:
    • Size 30: 2 1/4 inches
    • Size 32: 2 1/2 inches
    • Size 34: 2 3/4 inches
    • Size 36, 38, 40, 42, 44: 3 inches
  3. Increase Stitches:
    • Sizes 30, 32, 34: Increase 1 stitch at the end of the last row.
    • Sizes 36, 38: Increase 1 stitch at both ends of the last row.
    • Sizes 40, 42, 44: Increase 3 stitches evenly across the last row.
  4. Switch to US Size 4 needles.

Cable Pattern:

  1. Begin working in the established cable pattern as follows:
    • Row 1 (RS): *K1, p2, k8 (cable), p2; repeat from * across to the last stitch, k1.
    • Continue in this pattern.
  2. Increase for Shaping:
    • Increase 1 stitch at both ends of every 8th row until there are:
      • Size 30: 75 sts
      • Size 32: 77 sts
      • Size 34: 81 sts
      • Size 36: 88 sts
      • Size 38: 92 sts
      • Size 40: 95 sts
      • Size 42: 99 sts
      • Size 44: 103 sts
  3. Work Evenly:
    • Continue without increasing until the sleeve measures 16 (18, 19, 20, 21, 21, 21, 21) inches from the cast-on edge.

To Shape the Top of the Sleeves:

  1. Bind Off: At the beginning of the next 2 rows, bind off:
    • Size 30: 5 sts
    • Size 32: 6 sts
    • Size 34: 6 sts
    • Size 36: 6 sts
    • Size 38: 7 sts
    • Size 40: 7 sts
    • Size 42: 7 sts
    • Size 44: 8 sts
  2. Additional Bind Offs: At the beginning of the following rows, bind off as follows:
    • Size 30: None
    • Size 32: None
    • Size 34: 2 sts for 2 rows
    • Size 36: 2 sts for 2 rows
    • Size 38: 2 sts for 2 rows
    • Size 40: 2 sts for 4 rows
    • Size 42: 2 sts for 4 rows
    • Size 44: 2 sts for 4 rows
  3. Decrease Pattern:
    • Decrease 1 stitch at both ends of every 6th row:
      • Size 34: 5 times
      • Size 40: 5 times
    • Decrease 1 stitch at both ends of every 5th row:
      • Size 30: 4 times
      • Size 32: 6 times
      • Size 36: 8 times
      • Size 38: 4 times
      • Size 40: 2 times
      • Size 42: 4 times
    • Decrease 1 stitch at both ends of every 4th row:
      • Size 30: 2 times
      • Size 38: 5 times
      • Size 42: 5 times
      • Size 44: 10 times
    • Decrease 1 stitch at both ends of every row until you have:
      • Size 30, 32: 33 sts
      • Size 34: 35 sts
      • Size 36, 38: 36 sts
      • Size 40, 42, 44: 39 sts
  4. Final Bind Off:
    • Bind off 5 stitches at the beginning of the next 4 rows.
    • Bind off any remaining stitches.

Turtleneck

  1. Prepare Neckline:
    • Sew the shoulder seams to complete the bodice.
  2. Pick Up Stitches:
    • With double-pointed needles and the right side facing, pick up stitches evenly around the neck edge, including the stitches on both stitch holders.
    • Total stitches:
      • Size 30: 72 sts
      • Size 32: 80 sts
      • Size 34: 88 sts
      • Size 36: 88 sts
      • Size 38: 96 sts
      • Size 40: 100 sts
      • Size 42: 104 sts
      • Size 44: 112 sts
  3. Divide Stitches:
    • Divide the stitches evenly across 3 double-pointed needles.
  4. Work Ribbing:
    • Work in k2, p2 ribbing for the following length:
      • Size 30: 4 inches
      • Size 32–38: 5 inches
      • Size 40–44: 6 inches
  5. Bind Off:
    • Bind off loosely in ribbing to maintain elasticity.

Finishing

  1. Block the Sweater:
    • Block all pieces to the given measurements to shape the garment and set the stitches.
  2. Seams:
    • Sew the side and sleeve seams.
    • Set in the sleeves and sew them securely to the armholes.
  3. Final Touch:
    • Steam lightly if necessary to smooth seams and edges, taking care not to flatten the cables.
Cable knit crochet sweaters
Cable knit crochet sweaters

Original Men’s Cable Knit Sweater Pattern (un-edited)

Man’s Cable Sweater. Chadwick’s Red Heart Knitting Worsted, 4 ply, Art. E.232: (1 oz. ‘‘Tangle-Proof’’ Pull-Out Skeins):

Sizes (Chest Measurement)

30 32 34 36 38 40 42 44 Skeins 13 15 17 19 21 24 27 30

Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Knitting Pins, 1 pair No. 2 (234 mm. size) and 1 pair No. 4 (314 mm. size).

Clark’s O.N.T. Plastic Double-pointed Sock Needles, 1 set No. 2 (234 mm. size).

GAUGE: 6 sts make 1 inch; 8 rows make 1 inch.

BLOCKING MEASUREMENTS: Sce page 31.

Directions are given for Size 10. Changes for Sizes 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 42 and 44 are in parentheses.

BACK … Starting at lower edge with No. 2 knitting pins, cast on 88 (96, 104, 108, 112, 120, 124, 132) sts. Work in ribbing of k 2, p 2 for 24% (2%, 3, 3, 34%, 34, 3%, 4) inches. On Sizes 12, 16, 20 and 44 dec 1 st at the end of row. On Sizes 10, 14, 18 and 42 inc 1 st at the end of row. Change to No. 4 knitting pins and work in pattern as follows: Ist rew: Knit 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0) sts, purl 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) sts, * k 1, p 2, k 8, p 2. Repeat from * 5 (5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9) more times; k 1 st, purl 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) sts, knit 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0) sts. 2nd row: Purl 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0) sts, knit 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) sts, * p 1, k 2, p 8, k 2. Repeat from * 5 (5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9) more times; p 1 st, knit 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) sts, purl 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 8, 0) sts. 3rd to 6th rows incl: Repeat first and 2nd rows alternately. 7th rew: Make a cable over next 8 sts on Size 42 only—/u make a cable, slip next 4 sts onto a double-pointed needle and place in front of work, & next 4 sts, k the 4 sts from double-pointed needle—On all Sizes knit 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 0, 0) sts, purl 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) sts, * k 1, p 2, make a cable over the next 8 sts, p 2. Repeat from * 5 (5, 7, 7, 7, 7, 7, 9) more times; k 1 st, purl 2 (2, 0, 1, 2, 2, 2, 0) sts, knit 3 (6, 0, 0, 2, 5, 0, 0) sts. On Size 42 only make a cable over the next 8 sts. 8th row: Repeat 2nd row. 9th to 18th rows incl: Repeat first and 2nd rows alternately. 19th rew: Repeat 7th row. 20th row: Repeat 2nd row. The last 18 rows (3rd to 20th rows incl) constitute the pattern. Work in pattern until piece measures in all LIA (1244, 12Y3, 15, 15Y4, 16, 16, 16Y/) inches.

To Shape Armholes: Bind off at the beginning of next 2 rows 5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8) sts. Dec 1 st at both ends of next row and every other row until there remain 73 (77, 85, 85, 89, 93, 97, 101) sts. Work without decreasing until picce measures from first row of armhole shaping 7 (74, 8, 9, 9, 9Y5, 9Y%, 9) inches.

To Shape Shoulders: Bind off at the beginning of next 4 (6, 6, 6, 8, 6, 6, 8) rows, 7 (8, 9, 9, 7, 7, 8, 8) sts. Bind off at the beginning of next 2 rows 8 (0, 0, 0, 0, 9, 7, 0) sts. Place the remaining sts on a stitch holder to be worked later for the turtle neck. FRONT . . . Work exactly as for Back until piece measures from first row of armhole shaping, ending with an even row

52 (5V2, 6, 6Y2, 6Y2, 6Y>, 6Y2, 6Yr) inches.

To Shape Neck: Work in pattern across first 46 (48, 53, 53, 56, 58, 61, 64) sts. Place the last 19 (19, 21, 21, 23, 23, 25, 27) sts just worked on a stitch holder to be worked later for Turtle Neck, work in pattern across last 27 (29, 32, 32, 33, 35, 36, 37) sts.

Turn and work in pattern over the last sct of sts only, decreasing 1 st at neck edge every other row until there remain 22 (24, 27, 27, 28, 30, 31, 32) sts. Work without decreasing until piece measures from first row of armhole shaping, ending at armhole edge 7 (744, 8, 9, 9, 91/4, 91%, 9Y5) inches.

To Shape Shoulder: Bind off at the beginning of next row and every other row 7 (8, 9, 9, 7, 7, 8, 8) sts, 2 (3, 3, 3, 4, 3, 3, 4) times. On Sizes 10, 20 and 42, work one more row. Bind off the remaining sts. Attach yarn to opposite side of neck edge and work to correspond with other side, reversing shapings.

SLEEVES . . . Starting at lower edge with No. 2 knitting pins, cast on 52 (52, 52, 64, 64, 76, 76, 76) sts. Work in ribbing of k 2, p 2 for 24%4 (24, 214, 3, 3, 3, 314, 314) inches. On Sizes 10, 12 and 14 inc 1 st at the end of last row; on Sizes 16 and 18 inc 1 st at both ends of last row; on Sizes 20, 42 and 44 inc 3 sts evenly across last row. Change to No. 4 knitting pins and work in cable pattern as follows: Ist row: * K 1, p 2, k 8, p 2. Repeat from * across to last st, k 1. Work in cable pattern as established, increasing | st at both ends of every 8th row until there are on needle 75 (77, 81, 88, 92, 95, 99, 103) sts. Work without increasing until piece measures in all 16 (18, 19, 20, 21, 21, 21, 21) inches.

To Shape Top: Bind off at the beginning of next 2 rows 5 (6, 6, 6, 7, 7, 7, 8) sts. Bind off at beginning of following 0 (0, 2, 2, 2, 4, 4, 4) rows, 0 (0, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2, 2) sts. Dec 1 st at both ends of every 6th row 0 (0, 5, 0, 0, 5, 0, 0) times. Dee 1 st at both ends of every Sth row 4 (6, 0, 8, 4, 2, 4, 0) times. Dec 1 st at both ends of every 4th row 2 (0, 0, 0, 5, 0, 5, 10) times. Dec 1 st at both ends of every row until there remain 33 (33, 35, 36, 36, 39, 39, 39) sts. Bind off 5 sts at the beginning of next 4 rows. Bind off remaining sts.

TURTLE NECK .. . Sew shoulder seams. With double-pointed sock needles and right side facing, pick up and knit around entire neck edge, including sts on both stitch holders 72 (80, 88, 88, 96, 100, 104, 112) sts. Divide sts among 3 necdles and work in ribbing of k 2, p 2 for 4 (5, 5, 5, 5, 6, 6, 6) inches. Bind off loosely in ribbing.

Block to measurements. Sew up side and sleeve seams. Sew in sleeves.

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