Owl Cable Knitting Pattern

ByKristen McDonnell Last updated:
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The Owl Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern lets you create an adorable textured woodland creature. With this pattern, you’ll learn how to knit a square and add the unique cable stitch to your own designs, whether flat or in-the-round. Bring your Great Horned Owl to life by adding craft buttons of your choice.

Get your written pattern instructions both flat and in the round, along with knitting chart and video tutorial.

Owl Cable Stitch Square in beige yarn color with brown button eyes.

Owl Cable Stitch Construction

This pattern is knit from the bottom-up.

Resting atop a reverse stockinette background, the outline of our owl’s body, head, and horns are knit in smooth stockinette cables. Within the body, we have extra textural interest with the Seed Stitch.

Row Repeat

Knit up the Owl Cable Square with 30 stitches in a 38-row repeat. If you wish to knit a series of owls within your own design, the cable section is created with 16 stitches in a 34-row repeat.

Owl Cable Stitch in pink yarn color with button eyes by Studio Knit.

Knitted Square Size

Thinner or thicker gauges of yarns, knit with appropriately sized needles, will yield either smaller or larger completed squares.

  • 6×6 inch square: Worsted #4 yarn with size 8US needles
  • 8×8 inch square: Bulky #5 yarn with size 10US needles (pictured samples)
  • 12×12 inch square: Super Bulky #6 yarn with size 11US needles
Side view of the texture for Owl Cable Stitch in beige yarn color.

Is this Cable Stitch Reversible?

No, this is not a reversible pattern since the right side of the work displays the cable stitch design while the wrong side does not.

Can this stitch be knit in the round on circular needles?

Yes, this pattern includes written instructions to knit in the round. Try it out with either circular or double-pointed needles to include in hats, sweater sleeves, or infinity cowls.

Although blocking is optional, it is highly recommended to do so for best results. The stockinette stitch tends to curl within itself. Simply wet-blocking overnight will create a flat piece with beautifully shaped cables.

Owl Cable Stitch in brown yarn color by Studio Knit.

Watch Video Tutorial

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Knitting Supplies

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My pictured samples were created with size 10 US knitting needles and Cascade 128 #5 bulky weight yarns, resulting in a 8×8 inch square knitting piece.

You can choose whether to add button eyes to your owl. Remember, buttons can be dangerous for babies, children, and pets, so consider this carefully before including them.

Knitting supplies of yarn, knitting needles, tapestry needle, cable needle, and craft buttons.

Knitting Techniques

For this Owl Cable Stitch design, we are using the following knitting techniques and abbreviations:

  • RS = Right Side (front of work)
  • WS = Wrong Side (back of work)
  • CO = Long Tail Cast On
  • K = Knit Stitch
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • 2/2RC = 2/2 Right Cross Cable. Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 from left needle, knit 2 from cable needle.
  • 2/2LC = 2/2 Left Cross Cable. Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 from left needle, knit 2 from cable needle.
  • 4/4RC = 4/4 Right Cross Cable. Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 4 from left needle, knit 4 from cable needle.
  • 4/4LC = 4/4 Left Cross Cable. Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 4 from left needle, knit 4 from cable needle.
  • ST/STS = Stitch/Stitches
  • BO = Bind Off
  • Weave-in Yarn Ends

Knitting Chart

I have created a color-coded system in the chart patterns to easily discern the 4 different cable stitches at a glance. Knitters have told me they love it and I hope it helps you, too! Get your printable chart in the pattern card below.

More Cable Stitch Knitting Patterns

cable stitches

Printable Knitting Instructions

Owl Cable Stitch Square in beige yarn color with brown button eyes.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Owl Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern lets you create an adorable textured woodland creature.

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

Materials

  • Yarn in any weight, fiber, & color of your choice

Tools

  • Knitting Needles sized appropriately for your yarn
  • Cable Needle
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Scissors
  • Blocking Mats + T-Pins (optional, but highly recommended)
  • Buttons of your choice. I added these Craft Buttons to my sample owls.
  • Sewing Needle and Thread, if adding button eyes
  • Reminder: Buttons can be dangerous for babies, children, and pets, so consider this carefully before including them.

Instructions

KNITTING TECHNIQUES

  • K = Knit Stitch
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • 2/2RC = 2/2 Right Cross Cable. Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 2 from left needle, knit 2 from cable needle.
  • 2/2LC = 2/2 Left Cross Cable. Slip 2 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 2 from left needle, knit 2 from cable needle.
  • 4/4RC = 4/4 Right Cross Cable. Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in back, knit 4 from left needle, knit 4 from cable needle.
  • 4/4LC = 4/4 Left Cross Cable. Slip 4 stitches to cable needle and hold in front, knit 4 from left needle, knit 4 from cable needle.

SQUARE - KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

This square can be knitted and bound off, or repeated for multiple owls in a vertical panel. (Knitting Chart is below)

Cast On 30 Stitches

  • Row 1 (Right Side): K2, P26, K2
  • Row 2 (Wrong Side): K30
  • Row 3: K2, P9, K8, P9, K2
  • Row 4: K11, P8, K11
  • Row 5: K2, P5, K4, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 6: K7, P5, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, P6, K7
  • Row 7: K2, P5, 2/2RC, (K1, P1) 3 times, K2, 2/2LC, P5, K2 
  • Row 8: K7, P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4, K7
  • Row 9: K2, P5, K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 10: K7, P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4, K7
  • Row 11: K2, P5, K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 12: K7, P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4, K7
  • Row 13: K2, P5, K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 14: K7, P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4, K7
  • Row 15: K2, P5, K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 16: K7, P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4, K7
  • Row 17: K2, P5, K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 18: K7, P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4, K7
  • Row 19: K2, P5, K16, P5, K2
  • Row 20: K7, P16, K7
  • Row 21: K2, P5, 4/4R, 4/4LC, P5, K2
  • Row 22: K7, P16, K7
  • Row 23: K2, P5, K16, P5, K2
  • Row 24: K7, P16, K7
  • Row 25: K2, P5, K16, P5, K2
  • Row 26: K7, P16, K7
  • Row 27: K2, P5, K16, P5, K2
  • Row 28: K7, P16, K7
  • Row 29: K2, P5, K16, P5, K2
  • Row 30: K7, P16, K7
  • Row 31: K2, P5, 4/4RC, 4/4LC, P5, K2
  • Row 32: K7, P4, K8, P4, K7
  • Row 33: K2, P5, K4, P8, K4, P5, K2
  • Row 34: K7, P3, K10, P3, K7
  • Row 35: K2, P5, K2, P12, K2, P5, K2
  • Row 36: K7, P1, K14, P1, K7
  • Row 37: K2, P26, K2
  • Row 38: K2, P26, K2

CHART FOR CABLE SQUARE

I have created a color-coded system in the chart patterns to easily discern the 4 different cable stitches at a glance. Knitters have told me they love it and I hope it helps you, too!

Owl Cable Square Knitting Chart by Studio Knit.

CABLE PATTERN ISOLATED - FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

This 16-stitch cable only pattern is indicated in the Knitting Chart between the colored lines. Here is the the written pattern for that portion when incorporating it into your own design knitted flat on straight needles.

  • Row 1: P4, K8, P4
  • Row 2: K4, P8, K4
  • Row 3: K4, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, K4
  • Row 4: P5, (K1, P1) 2 times, K1, P6
  • Row 5: 2/2RC, (K1, P1) 3 times, K2, 2/2LC 
  • Row 6: P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4
  • Row 7: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Row 8: P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4
  • Row 9: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Row 10: P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4
  • Row 11: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Row 12: P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4
  • Row 13: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Row 14: P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4
  • Row 15: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Row 16: P3, (K1, P1) 4 times, K1, P4
  • Row 17: K16
  • Row 18: P16
  • Row 19: 4/4RC, 4/4LC
  • Row 20: P16
  • Row 21: K16
  • Row 22: P16
  • Row 23: K16
  • Row 24: P16
  • Row 25: K16
  • Row 26: P16
  • Row 27: K16
  • Row 28: P16
  • Row 29: 4/4RC, 4/4LC
  • Row 30: P4, K8, P4
  • Row 31: K4, P8, K4
  • Row 32: P3, K10, P3
  • Row 33: K2, P12, K2
  • Row 34: P1, K14, P1

CHART FOR ISOLATED CABLE

Owl Cable Isolated Knitting Chart by Studio Knit.

CABLE PATTERN ISOLATED - KNITTED IN-THE-ROUND:

Here is the the written pattern for the isolated cable when incorporating it into your own design knitted in-the-round on circular or double-pointed needles.

  • Round 1: P4, K8, P4
  • Round 2: P4, K8, P4
  • Round 3: K4, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, K4
  • Round 4: K6, (P1, K1) 2 times, P1, K5
  • Round 5: 2/2RC, (K1, P1) 3 times, K2, 2/2LC
  • Round 6: K4, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, K3
  • Round 7: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Round 8: K4, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, K3
  • Round 9: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Round 10: K4, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, K3
  • Round 11: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Round 12: K4, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, K3
  • Round 13: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Round 14: K4, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, K3
  • Round 15: K3, P1, (K1, P1) 4 times, K4
  • Round 16: K4, (P1, K1) 4 times, P1, K3
  • Round 17: K16
  • Round 18: K16
  • Round 19: 4/4RC, 4/4LC
  • Round 20: K16
  • Round 21: K16
  • Round 22: K16
  • Round 23: K16
  • Round 24: K16
  • Round 25: K16
  • Round 26: K16
  • Round 27: K16
  • Round 28: K16
  • Round 29: 4/4RC, 4/4LC
  • Round 30: K4, P8, K4
  • Round 31: K4, P8, K4
  • Round 32: K3, P10, K3
  • Round 33: K2, P12, K2
  • Round 34: K1, P14, K1

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© Kristen McDonnell from Studio Knit
Project Type: Knit Stitch Pattern / Category: 12 or More Row Repeats

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