XO Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern (Hugs and Kisses)

ByKristen McDonnell Last updated:
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The XO Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern, also affectionately known as “Hugs and Kisses,” is created from intertwining stitches seamlessly combining two simple right- and left-crossing rope cables.

XO Cable textured pattern knitted on straight needles with white colored yarn.

About the XO Cable Stitch Stitch

Knit just one vertical rope of XO cable repeats, or combine XO and OX with alternating repeats for a larger panel design. The crossed cables rest atop a reverse stockinette background.

Row Repeat

Knit up the XO Cable Stitch in a 16-row repeat. If you wish to knit one verticle XO rope, the cable section is created with 8 stitches. There is also a double cable rope pattern provided that alternates the XO pattern horizontally.

XO Cable textured pattern knitted on straight needles with pink colored yarn.

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.

XO Cable pattern knitted in the round on circular needles with orange colored yarn.

Sweet History Behind XO: Hugs and Kisses

The use of “XO” to signify hugs and kisses has a playful and historical origin.

In medieval times, when many people were unable to read or write, they would sign documents with an “X” as a symbol of sincerity. Over time, this practice evolved, and the “X” began to represent a kiss. The letter “O” was later added to symbolize a hug, creating the familiar “XO” combination. Just like Gossip Girl, doubling it up with “XOXO” is also a fun way to sign off with love.

Today, this is a charming and widely recognized way to express affection, both in writing and even in the world of knitting patterns, adding a delightful touch to the XO Cable Knit Stitch Pattern in my Valentine Knitting Collection.

Side view with texture detail of the XO Cable pattern knitted on straight needles with white colored yarn.

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Knitting Techniques

For this XO 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
  • 2/2LC = 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.
  • 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.
  • ST/STS = Stitch/Stitches
  • BO = Bind Off
  • Weave-in Yarn Ends

Cable Stitch Knitting Patterns

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Printable Knitting Instructions

XO Cable textured pattern knitted on straight needles with white colored yarn.

Printable Knitting Pattern

The XO Cable Stitch Knitting Pattern, also affectionately known as “Hugs and Kisses,” is created from two simple right- and left-crossing rope cables.

Makes: XO 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
  • Tapestry Needle
  • Cable Needle
  • Scissors

Instructions

KNITTING TECHNIQUES

K = Knit Stitch

P = Purl Stitch

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.

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.

/////

SINGLE ROW - KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On in Multiples 10 plus 2 stitches

Repeat Pattern between * *

  1. Row 1: * P2, K8 *, P2
  2. Row 2: K2, * P8, K2 *
  3. Row 3: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *, P2
  4. Row 4: K2, * P8, K2 *
  5. Row 5: * P2, K8 *, P2
  6. Row 6: K2, * P8, K2 *
  7. Row 7: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *, P2
  8. Row 8: K2, * P8, K2 *
  9. Row 9: * P2, K8 *, P2
  10. Row 10: K2, * P8, K2 *
  11. Row 11: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *, P2
  12. Row 12: K2, * P8, K2 *
  13. Row 13: * P2, K8 *, P2
  14. Row 14: K2, * P8, K2 *
  15. Row 15: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *, P2
  16. Row 16: K2, * P8, K2 *

Repeat Rows 1 – 16 until your piece is the length you desire.

---

SINGLE ROW - KNITTED IN-THE-ROUND:

Cast On in Multiples 10 stitches

Repeat Pattern between * *

  1. Row 1: * P2, K8 *
  2. Row 2: * P2, K8 *
  3. Row 3: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *
  4. Row 4: * P2, K8 *
  5. Row 5: * P2, K8 *
  6. Row 6: * P2, K8 *
  7. Row 7: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *
  8. Row 8: * P2, K8 *
  9. Row 9: * P2, K8 *
  10. Row 10: * P2, K8 *
  11. Row 11: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *
  12. Row 12: * P2, K8 *
  13. Row 13: * P2, K8 *
  14. Row 14: * P2, K8 *
  15. Row 15: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *
  16. Row 16: * P2, K8 *

Repeat Rows 1 – 16 until your piece is the length you desire.

____

DOUBLE ROW - KNITTED FLAT ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES:

Cast On in Multiples 20 plus 2 stitches

Repeat Pattern between * *

  1. Row 1: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  2. Row 2: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  3. Row 3: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC, P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *, P2
  4. Row 4: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  5. Row 5: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  6. Row 6: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  7. Row 7: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *, P2
  8. Row 8: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  9. Row 9: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  10. Row 10: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  11. Row 11: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *, P2
  12. Row 12: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  13. Row 13: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  14. Row 14: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *
  15. Row 15: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC, P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *, P2
  16. Row 16: K2, * P8, K2, P8, K2 *

---

DOUBLE ROW - KNITTED IN-THE-ROUND:

Cast On in Multiples 20 stitches

Repeat Pattern between * *

  1. Row 1: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  2. Row 2: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  3. Row 3: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC, P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *
  4. Row 4: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  5. Row 5: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  6. Row 6: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  7. Row 7: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *
  8. Row 8: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  9. Row 9: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  10. Row 10: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  11. Row 11: * P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC, P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC *
  12. Row 12: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  13. Row 13: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  14. Row 14: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2
  15. Row 15: * P2, 2/2RC, 2/2LC, P2, 2/2LC, 2/2RC *
  16. Row 16: * P2, K8, P2, K8 *, P2

Notes

KNITTING CHARTS

I have created a color-coded system in the chart patterns to easily discern the 2 different cable stitches at a glance. Knitters have told me they love it and I hope it helps you, too!

XO Cable Stitch Single row knitting chart by Studio Knit.

XO Cable Stitch Double rows knitting chart by Studio Knit.

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

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