Sand Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern

The Sand Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern creates a graceful texture resembling a beach landscape on a smooth Stockinette fabric. Enjoy knitting up this soft piece with wavy, undulating edges reminiscent of your favorite seaside retreat.

I’ve created free printable knitting pattern and chart, as well as a video tutorial, for both flat and in-the-round projects for you below.

Close up of the Sand Cable knit stitch texture in blue yarn color.

About the Sand Cable Knit Texture

Easy to Memorize

Because we are knitting up this cable texture in an easy series of knit, purl, and just two cable techniques, this is a very easy-to-memorize pattern.

Is the Sand Cable Stitch Reversible?

No, this is not a reversible pattern because the right side of the work displays the design, however the wrong (back) side does not.

Right and wrong sides of Sand Cable knit stitch pattern knitted flat with a straight knitting needle in beige yarn color.

Knitting in the Round

With a simple adjustment to the odd number of rows, this pattern includes written instructions to knit it in the round. Try it out with either circular or double-pointed needles.

Sand Cable knit stitch texture on circular wooden bamboo needles with brown colored yarn.

Recommended Knitting Projects

This Sand Cable texture is a great choice for soft scarves, hats, and blankets.

I’m currently creating a stunning scarf in Juniper Moon Farm’s Moonshine yarn. It’s a blend of baby alpaca, wool, and silk that I picked up at my local yarn shop Fengari here in Half Moon Bay, California. I chose the blue color Oasis 77 to resemble ocean waves.

Long scarf in Sand Cable knit stitch pattern knitted flat with a straight knitting needle in blue yarn color.

Does this stitch curl or lay flat?

Because the texture is on a stockinette background your piece will likely have a tendency to curl within itself on the side edges. It is recommended to wet-block your work for the best results.

Sand Cable stitch side view texture on wooden bamboo knitting needle with beige colored yarn on a blue background.

Knitting Techniques

Both a right and a left crossing cable technique is added to the easy stockinette of knits and purls.

6 Stitch Right Cross Cable (3/3R): Slip 3 stitches to your cable needle and hold it to the back. Knit three stitches from your main needle, then knit three stitches from your cable needle.

6 Stitch Left Cross Cable on the wrong side (3/3L WS): Slip 3 stitches to your cable needle and hold it to the front of your work. Similarly, first purl three stitches from your main needle, then purl three stitches from your cable needle.

To best understand the knitting techniques, make certain to watch my full video tutorial further down on this page.

  • Long Tail Cast On
  • K = Knit Stitch
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • 3/3R = 6 Stitch Right Cross Cable on the Right Side
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to back;
    K3 from main needle;
    K3 from cable needle.
  • 3/3L (WS) = 6 Stitch Left Cross Cable on the Wrong Side
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to front;
    P3 from main needle;
    P3 from cable needle.
  • Cast Off
  • Weave-in Yarn Ends

Printable Knitting Instructions

Sand Cable stitch on wooden bamboo knitting needle with beige colored yarn on a blue background.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The Sand Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern creates a graceful motif resembling beach landscapes.

Makes: Sand Cable Knit 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
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Cable Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On a Multiple of 12 Stitches

  1. Row 1 (right side): Knit All
  2. Row 2 (wrong side): Purl All
  3. Row 3: Knit All
  4. Row 4: Purl All
  5. Row 5: * 3/3R, K6 *
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to back;
    K3 from main needle;
    K3 from cable needle.
  6. Row 6: Purl All
  7. Row 7: Knit All
  8. Row 8: Purl All
  9. Row 9: Knit All
  10. Row 10: * 3/3L (WS), P6 *
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to front;
    P3 from main needle;
    P3 from cable needle.

____

KNITTED IN-THE-ROUND ON CIRCULAR or DOUBLE-POINTED NEEDLES:

Cast On a Multiple of 12 Stitches

  1. Row 1: Knit All
  2. Row 2: Knit All
  3. Row 3: Knit All
  4. Row 4: Knit All
  5. Row 5: * 3/3R, K6 *
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to back;
    K3 from main needle;
    K3 from cable needle.
  6. Row 6: Knit All
  7. Row 7: Knit All
  8. Row 8: Knit All
  9. Row 9: Knit All
  10. Row 10: * K6, 3/3L *
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to front;
    K3 from main needle;
    K3 from cable needle.

Notes

Repeat Pattern between * *

Repeat Rows 1 – 10 until your piece is the length you desire, repeat rows 1 - 4, then Bind Off.

Reversible Knit Stitch Pattern.

_____

KNITTING TECHNIQUES AND ABBREVIATION

  • CO = Cast On Long Tail Method
  • K = Knit Stitch
  • P = Purl Stitch
  • 3/3R = 6 Stitch Right Cross Cable on the Right Side
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to back;
    K3 from main needle;
    K3 from cable needle.
  • 3/3L (WS) = 6 Stitch Left Cross Cable on the Wrong Side
    Slip 3 stitches to cable needle and hold to front;
    P3 from main needle;
    P3 from cable needle.
  • BO = Bind Off
  • Weave In Ends

_____

KNITTING CHART

Knitting Chart for Sand Cable Knit Stitch Pattern by Studio Knit.

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Kristen McDonnell
Author & Designer

After publishing her first knitting tutorial video, Kristen founded StudioKnit LLC. Enamored with teaching online, she films knitting lessons and designs from her vibrant production studio on Half Moon Bay’s California coast.

Kristen McDonnell is the author of the highly acclaimed book Knit Stitch: 50 Knit + Purl Patterns featuring vintage and unique designs.

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