Herringbone Stitch Cable Knitting Pattern

The Herringbone Stitch is a horizontal cable knit stitch pattern, named after the scales of a fish. It is a very tight weave making it strong and sturdy. As a result, this is a great choice to create home interior projects, like pillows and rugs.

Knitted Herringbone Stitch Pattern texture in beige color yarn.

Herringbone Stitch Texture

The design looks complex to knit, but it is simply a 2-row repeat pattern

This is not a reversible pattern because the right side of the work displays the design, but the wrong (back) side does not.

RIGHT SIDE (front) OF THE HERRINGBONE STITCH

How to Knit the Herringbone Stitch with Easy, Free Knitting Pattern + Video Tutorial by Studio Knit

WRONG SIDE (back) OF THE HERRINGBONE STITCH

How to Knit the Herringbone Stitch with Easy, Free Knitting Pattern + Video Tutorial by Studio Knit

Knitting Techniques

Need to brush up or learn a new technique? Check out my entire library of Knitting Techniques to help you along as you knit up this project.

Slip Knot 
• CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
• K2Tog = Knit Two Stitches Together
• P2Tog = Purl Two Stitches Together
• BO = Bind Off
Weave In Ends


Knitting Materials

In this example, I’m using size 11 US knitting needles with bulky weight wool yarn.

• Yarn in any weight, fiber, & color of your choice.
• Knitting Needles sized appropriately for your yarn.
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle


How to Knit the Herringbone Stitch with Easy, Free Knitting Pattern + Video Tutorial by Studio Knit

Watch Video Tutorial

Cast On Any Number of Stitches

The Herringbone Knit Stitch Pattern is unique because we are casting on absolutely any number of stitches of your choice. So, you can knit an odd number of stitches, an even number of stitches, absolutely any number you would like, it totally works… trust me on this one!

Row 1: * K2Tog Thru Back Loop – Removing 1st Stitch off Needle with 2nd Stitch Remaining * Slip Last Stitch

Once you have cast on however many stitches you chose, we knit two through the back loop.

While you put your right needle through the back, you are actually going to knit that through, but you’re going to keep those two stitches on your needle. Knit it through, and I like to pull a little bit of yarn out so it’s not too tight.

With your left needle, let go of that first stitch, taking that off the needle but keep the second stitch on. Knit this pattern all the way down your needle. With one stitch remaining on your needle, just slip that last stitch.

Row 2: * P2Tog – Removing 1st Stitch off Needle with 2nd Stitch Remaining * Slip Last Stitch

Row two is very similar but we’re going to Purl two together. To begin, we start out by purling two. When we purl, our yarn is in the front, and we’re going to take our yarn and we’re going to wrap it around and we’re going to purl through.

Next, on the left needle take one stitch off, leave the second stitch on, and then we repeat.

Finally, on your very last stitch, we are simply going to slip the last stitch.



Printable Knitting Instructions

Knitted Herringbone Stitch Pattern texture in beige color yarn.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Herringbone Stitch is a horizontal cable knit stitch pattern, named after the scales of a fish. It is a very tight weave making it strong and sturdy.

Makes: Herringbone Cable Stitch
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Active Time: 2 hours
Additional Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 20 minutes
Difficulty: Intermediate

Materials

  • Yarn - Any Gauge

Tools

  • Knitting Needles - Appropriate Size for Yarn
  • Cable Needle
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

Cast On Any Number of Stitches

  1. * K2Tog Thru Back Loop – Removing 1st Stitch off Needle with 2nd Stitch Remaining * Slip Last Stitch
  2. * P2Tog – Removing 1st Stitch off Needle with 2nd Stitch Remaining * Slip Last Stitch

Notes

Repeat Pattern between * *

Repeat Rows 1 – 2 until your piece is the length you desire and then Bind Off.

Non-Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern.

Very Tight Weave, try to knit loosely.

Tends to Curl Up.

_____

KNITTING TECHNIQUES AND ABBREVIATIONS

    • CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
    • K2Tog = Knit Two Stitches Together
    • P2Tog = Purl Two Stitches Together
    • BO = Bind Off
    • Weave In Ends

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Thank You for Visiting Studio Knit

I hope you are inspired to knit up this Herringbone Stitch Pattern in your next knitting project.

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