Garden Path Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern

Knit this fun, easy & cozy Garden Path Cable Knitting Stitch. A simple twist on a classic cable knit stitch!

Swatch of the Garden Path Cable Knit Stitch on a fur blanket.Pin

Welcome to Day 16 of the 21 Days of Cable Knit Stitches Series!
Previous -> Day 15: Uneven Cable Weave Knitting Stitch
Next -> Day 17: Large Circle Cable Knitting Stitch Pattern

We’re going to take a little break today. This is a nice & easy cable. It’s only 6 stitches, so you’ll definitely want to use a super bulky yarn or a roving yarn like Magnum by Cascade, Crazy Sexy Wool by Wool and the Gang or The Wool by We Are Knitters. Maybe even knit this using two strands of Lion Brand Thick & Quick or another super bulky yarn.

Learn how to knit the Garden Path Cable Knit Stitch in today’s video tutorial + grab the FREE Headband Knitting Pattern below!

About the Stitch

The Garden Path Cable Stitch is a 12 row repeat, consisting of 2 simple cables which are used on 4 rows. 2 rows of left leaning cables followed by 2 rows of right leaning cables, rinse and repeat.

The cable stitches and twists create a lovely fabric with the gorgeous texture of woven cable stitches.

If you’re knitting a stockinette stitch scarf or blanket and you’d like to add this cable pattern, having a background of reverse stockinette stitch on either side of your cable will give it more definition, so it “pops.”

This is not a reversible pattern, meaning that the front and back are not the same.

There aren’t any increases or decreases, so you should always have the same number of stitches on the needles.

Skill level: Intermediate / Advanced Beginner Knitter

Yarn, Needles & Notions

Yarn Weight: Super Bulky Yarn
Yardage: 75 yards (68 meters)
Suggested Yarn: Purl Soho Gentle Giant
Needle Size: US 17 (12 mm) Knitting Needles
Cable Needle
Darning Needle / Tapestry Needle / Yarn Needle
Scissors

Yarn Substitutions

You can use any yarn you’d like. To get the right gauge, start with the recommended needle size. If you’re stitches are too loose, use smaller needles and if you’re stitches are too tight use larger needles.

Garden Path Cable Stitch Swatch Instructions

Knit flat using straight needles:

CO 8 STS

Beginning Rows:
Row 1 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Row 2 (RS): P1, K6, P1
Row 3 (WS): K1, P6, K1

Cable Rows:
Row 1 (RS): P1, K2, C4F, P1
Row 2 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Row 3 (RS): P1, K6, P1
Row 4 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Row 5 (RS): P1, K2, C4F, P1
Row 6 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Row 7 (RS): P1, C4B, K2, P1
Row 8 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Row 9 (RS): P1, K6, P1
Row 10 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Row 11 (RS): P1, C4B, K2, P1
Row 12 (WS): K1, P6, K1
Repeat Cable Rows 1 – 12 until desired length.

Video Tutorial

*Check out some of my other Cable Knit Stitches.

Garden Path Cable Stitch Headband Pattern Instructions
(Free Knitting Pattern)

Knit flat using straight needles:

CO 10 STS

Beginning Rows:
Rows 1, 3 (WS): K1TBL, K1, P6, K1, K1TBL
Row 2 (RS): WYIF S1PW, P1, K6, P1, WYIF S1PW

Cable Rows:
Rows 1, 5 (RS): WYIF S1PW, P1, K2, C4F, P1, WYIF S1PW
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12 (WS): K1TBL, K1, P6, K1, K1TBL
Rows 3, 9 (RS): WYIF S1PW, P1, K6, P1, WYIF S1PW
Rows 7, 11 (RS): WYIF S1PW, P1, C4B, K2, P1, WYIF S1PW
Repeat Cable Rows 1 – 12 until it’s about 18” (46cm) long, or desired length.

To End:
Repeat beginning rows 1 & 2
BO in the beginning row 3 pattern
Sew the CO & BO edges together
To see how I do it, watch my video: How to Sew the Seam on a Headband

Headband Notes

The CO edge is the width.
I like using circular knitting needles or dpns for a small swatch, it’s easier on my hands than full length straight needles.
You can use any category of yarn you’d like, just keep in mind that the thinner the yarn, the narrower your headband.

Cable Stitch Inspiration

This is one of my favorite stitches to create a thick & cozy fabric for just about any project!

Suggested Project Ideas:
Hats
Socks
Sweaters
Headbands
Scarves
Blankets
Shawl

Suggested Trim:
1×1 Rib Stitch
Seed Stitch
Garter Stitch
Moss Stitch

Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques

* – * – repeat between *asterisks* to the end of the round
BO – bind-off in pattern
CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
C4B – cable 4 back – 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the back of your work, knit the next 2 stitches off your left hand needle and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
C4F – cable 4 front – 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the front of your work, knit the next 2 stitches off your left hand needle and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
RS – right side of work
S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
STS – stitches
WS – wrong side of work
WYIF – with yarn in front

Right Side Rows : Front of Work

swatch of cable knit stitch

Wrong Side Rows : Back of Work

swatch of cable knit stitch

Garden Path Cable Stitch Swatch Instructions

The Garden Path Cable Stitch is a 12 row repeat, consisting of 2 simple cables which are used on 4 rows. 2 rows of left leaning cables followed by 2 rows of right leaning cables, rinse and repeat.
Prep Time15 minutes
Active Time1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time1 hour 45 minutes

Equipment

Materials

  • Any Yarn

Instructions

Knit flat using straight needles:

  • CO 8 STS
  • Beginning Rows:
  • Row 1 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Row 2 (RS): P1, K6, P1
  • Row 3 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Cable Rows:
  • Row 1 (RS): P1, K2, C4F, P1
  • Row 2 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Row 3 (RS): P1, K6, P1
  • Row 4 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Row 5 (RS): P1, K2, C4F, P1
  • Row 6 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Row 7 (RS): P1, C4B, K2, P1
  • Row 8 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Row 9 (RS): P1, K6, P1
  • Row 10 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Row 11 (RS): P1, C4B, K2, P1
  • Row 12 (WS): K1, P6, K1
  • Repeat Cable Rows 1 – 12 until desired length.

Abbreviations : Knitting Techniques

  • * – * – repeat between *asterisks* to the end of the round
  • BO – bind-off in pattern
  • CO – cast-on (long-tail cast-on method)
  • C4B – cable 4 back – 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the back of your work, knit the next 2 stitches off your left hand needle and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
  • C4F – cable 4 front – 2 stitches to a cable needle and hold it in the front of your work, knit the next 2 stitches off your left hand needle and then knit the 2 stitches off the cable needle
  • K – knit stitches (K1 means to knit 1 stitch)
  • K1TBL – knit 1 stitch through the back loop
  • P – purl stitches (P2 means to purl 2 stitches)
  • RS – right side of work
  • S1PW – slip one stitch purl-wise
  • STS – stitches
  • WS – wrong side of work
  • WYIF – with yarn in front