CABLED HEARTS Knitting Pattern: Free Chart & 2 Project Versions
This pattern was originally published in 2020. It has been fully updated for 2026 with a new high-resolution chart, clarified instructions based on reader feedback, and improved project versions.
There is something timeless about combining traditional cables with a heart motif, especially as we approach Valentine’s Day. Whether you are looking to knit a quick, textured dishcloth or a series of blanket blocks, the Cabled Hearts knitting pattern offers a beautiful relief texture that stands out in any yarn weight.
In this post, you will find instructions to make two different blocks using this motif: one with a central panel of hearts, and other with two lateral panels joined by a central stocking stitch tab (that you can customise with another stitch pattern of your choice!).
For a quick gift, you can join both squares to make a charming teapot cozy that always gets compliments at my home.
Below, you’ll find the technical breakdown, the digital chart, and the row-by-row instructions to help you cast on your next heart-filled project today!
| Project Detail | Requirements |
| Skill Level | Intermediate (cables) |
| Yarn Weight | DK or Worsted |
| Gauge | 21 sts x 28 rows in stocking st with US 6 (4 mm needles) and DK yarn = 4” x 4” (10 cm x 10 cm) |
| Needle Size | 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 to casting on and binding off sts) |
| Finished Size (after blocking) | Length: 8’’ (20 cm). Width: 9’’ (23 cm). |
💡 Prefer to knit away from the screen? You can purchase the ad-free, high-resolution printable PDF version of this pattern in the Oh La Lana! shop, on Etsy, or in my Ravelry store. It includes a clear, enlarged chart and row-by-row instructions, perfect for your project bag!
Materials & Tools for each Cabled Hearts block
- Yarn: 80 yds (73 m) of DK yarn (8 ply). OR 160 yds (146 m) of light fingering yarn (approx 3 ply) USED DOUBLE.
- Needles: 4mm / US 6 (and 4.5mm / US 7 for casting on and binding off stitches).
- Tools: cable, needle, tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends, scissors. Optional: stitch markers.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- BO: bind off
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- st(s): stitch(es)
- k: knit
- p: purl
- 2B, k2, k2B: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k next 2 sts, k 2 sts from cable needle.
- 2F, k2, k2F: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, k next 2 sts, k 2 sts from cable needle.
- 2B, k2, p2B: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in back, k next 2 sts, p 2 sts from cable needle.
- 2F, p2, k2F: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, p next 2 sts, k 2 sts from cable needle.
- 1B, k2, p1B: slip 1 st to cable needle and hold in back, k next 2 sts, p 1 st from cable needle.
- 2F, p1, k2F: slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold in front, p next st, k 2 sts from cable needle.
Central Cabled Hearts Block Pattern
General instructions
- Cast on sts
CO 50 sts with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.
I always cast on and bind off stitches with larger needles than I use for the main work. This prevents my cast on and bind off rows from being too tight. - Garter stitch bottom border
With US 6 (4 mm) needles, knit 4 rows.
Slip first stitch on every row as if you were to knit it, but without knitting it (except on the first row). It will form a neat and sturdy border. - Preparation rows
This step prevents the casting on edge from twisting and deforming your square, due to the early stitch crossings of the Cabled Hearts motif.
Work the next 6 rows:
1) (RS) k15, p4, k12, p4, k15
2) k3, p12, k4, p12, k4, p12, k3
3) k15, p4, k12, p4, k15
4) k3, p12, k4, p12, k4, p12, k3
5) k15, p4, k2, (2B, k2, k2B), (2F, k2, k2F), k2, p4, k15
6) k3, p12, k4, p12, k4, p12, k3 - Main pattern with garter stitch side borders
Continue working the next 40 rows like this:
3 garter sts, 12 stocking sts, CABLED HEARTS stitch (20 sts), 12 stocking sts, 3 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart, both located at the end of this post. - Garter stitch top border
Knit 4 rows.
- Bind off
Bind off all sts with a US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
- (Optional) Blocking
Block your square to its final measures.
in the article “How to Knit a Teapot cozy”.
Block with two lateral Cabled Hearts panels
General Instructions
1. Casting on stitches
CO 54 sts with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles.
I always cast on and bind off stitches with larger needles than I use for the main work. This prevents my cast on and bind off rows from being too tight.
2. Garter stitch bottom border
With US 6 (4 mm) needles, knit 4 rows.
Slip first stitch on every row as if you were to knit it, but without knitting it (except on the first row). It will form a neat and sturdy border.
3. Preparation rows
Work the next 6 rows:
1) (RS) k5, p4, k12, p4, k4, p4, k12, p4, k5
2) k3, p2, k4, p12, k4, p4, k4, p12, k4, p2, k3
3) k5, p4, k12, p4, k4, p4, k12, p4, k5
4) k3, p2, k4, p12, k4, p4, k4, p12, k4, p2, k3
5) k5, p4, k2, (2B, k2, k2B), (2F, k2, k2F), k2, p4, k4, p4, k2, (2B, k2, k2B), (2F, k2, k2F), k2, p4, k5
6) k3, p2, k4, p12, k4, p4, k4, p12, k4, p2, k3
This step prevents the casting on edge from twisting and deforming your square, due to the early stitch crossings of the Cabled Hearts motif.
4. Main pattern with garter stitch side borders
Continue working the next 40 rows like this:
3 garter sts, 2 stocking sts, CABLED HEARTS stitch (20 sts), 4 stocking sts, CABLED HEARTS stitch (20 sts), 2 stocking sts, 3 garter sts
You can follow either the row-by-row written instructions or the chart, both located at the end of this post.
5. Garter stitch top border
Knit 4 rows.
6. Binding off stitches
Bind off all sts with a US 7 (4.5 mm) needle. Cut yarn and weave in ends.
7. (Optional) Blocking
Block your square to its final measures.
CABLED HEARTS stitch pattern: Row-by-row written instructions
Over 20 sts and 10 rows.
Row 1) (RS) p4, (2B, k2, p2B), k4, (2F, p2, k2F), p4
Row 2) k4, p2, k2, p4, k2, p2, k4
Row 3) p3, (1B, k2, p1B), p2, (2B, k2, k2B), p2, (2F, p1, k2F), p3
Row 4) k3, p2, k3, p4, k3, p2, k3
Row 5) p2, (1B, k2, p1B), p3, k4, p3, (2F, p1, k2F), p2
Row 6) k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2
Row 7) p2, k2, p4, (2B, k2, k2B), p4, k2, p2
Row 8) k2, p2, k4, p4, k4, p2, k2
Row 9) p2, (2F, p2, k2F), (2B, k2, k2B), (2F, k2, k2F), (2B, k2, p2B), p2
Row 10) k4, p12, k4
CABLED HEARTS stitch pattern: Chart
Read all odd rows from right to left, and all even rows from left to right.
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These are wonderful! I’ll have to come up with some ideas for how to use your cabled hearts. Maybe a pillowcase
I’m not understanding the bulk of the pattern.
Continue working as follows:
3 garter sts, 2 stocking sts, CABLED HEARTS Stitch over 20 sts (see STITCH GLOSARY below), 4 stocking sts, CABLED HEARTS Stitch over 20 sts, 2 stocking sts, 3 garter sts.—do I do three rows of garter stitch? Then 2 rows stocking stitch? Is this K3, K1, P1?
I too had trouble understanding the “continue working” bit but after a bit of trial and error worked out that you keep doing the 3 garter st 12 (not 2) stocking st on every row then, for the middle 20 st panel you need to go to the stitch glossary for the cable instructions. I wrote out the abbreviations so I could follow them more easily!