Looking for a lace and cable pullover knitting pattern that combines delicate openwork with playful twisted stitches? This lightweight cotton sweater is the perfect project for intermediate knitters who love texture. The design features a beautiful repeat of an eyelet lace panel followed by a small, reversible cable motif, creating a fabric that is both airy and substantial. Knit in a soft apricot-colored cotton yarn, this pullover is breathable and perfect for spring or summer evenings. Whether you are a fan of cable knitting or want to try lace knitting for the first time, this lace and cable pullover offers the best of both worlds.
This pattern includes three sizes (Small, Large, and XL), full written instructions for the back, front, sleeves, and a neat neckband, plus charts for the stitch patterns. The lace and cable pullover knitting pattern is worked flat in pieces and seamed, leaving side slits for a relaxed fit. Let’s get started!
Materials & Gauge
Sizes:
38/40 (44/46) 50/52 – corresponds to US sizes: Small/Medium (Large) XL/2XL
*Finished bust circumference: approx. 39½ (45¼) 51″ / 100 (115) 130 cm*
Yarn:
Cotton (100%; 170 m / 186 yds per 100 g / 3.5 oz) – 600 (700) 800 g in light apricot.
Needles & Notions:
- Straight needles size US #6 (4 mm)
- Circular needle size US #6 (4 mm) – 16″ (40 cm) for neckband
- Cable needle (CN)
- Tapestry needle for seaming
Gauge (after blocking):
- Ribbing: 19 sts × 27 rows = 4″ × 4″ (10 × 10 cm)
- Lace & Small Cable patterns: 18.5 sts × 30.5 rows = 4″ × 4″ (10 × 10 cm)
Stitch Patterns & Abbreviations (US terms)
- k – knit
- p – purl
- yo – yarn over
- k2tog – knit 2 together
- ssk – slip slip knit
- RC – right cross (slip 1 to CN and hold in back, k1, then k1 from CN)
- LC – left cross (slip 1 to CN and hold in front, k1, then k1 from CN)
- RS – right side
- WS – wrong side
Ribbing (multiple of 6 + 1 + 2 edge sts):
Follow Chart A. RS rows as charted, WS rows work all sts as they appear (knit the knits, purl the purls). Repeat Rows 1–2 only.
Stockinette Stitch:
Knit on RS, purl on WS.
Lace Pattern (multiple of 6 + 1 + 2 edge sts):
Follow Chart B. RS rows as charted; WS rows: knit the knits, purl the purls, purl all yo’s. Work Rows 1–20 once.
Small Cable Pattern (flat / back-and-forth):
*Multiple of 12 + 1 + 2 edge sts*
- Row 1 (RS): Edge st, k4, * RC, k1, LC, k7 * repeat from * to *, end with RC, k1, LC, k4, edge st.
- Row 2 (WS): Edge st, k4, * p5, k7 * repeat from * to *, end p5, k4, edge st.
- Row 3 (RS): Edge st, k4, * LC, k1, RC, k7 * repeat from * to *, end LC, k1, RC, k4, edge st.
- Row 4 (WS): same as Row 2.
Work Rows 1–4 twice = 8 rows total.
Small Cable Pattern (in the round for neckband):
Multiple of 12
- Rnd 1: * k4, RC, k1, LC, k3 * repeat around.
- Rnd 2: * p4, k5, p3 * repeat around.
- Rnd 3: * k4, LC, k1, RC, k3 * repeat around.
- Rnd 4: same as Rnd 2.
Work Rnds 1–4 once.
Pattern Sequences
Sequence A (Back & Front – lower to upper):
44 rows Ribbing, then work the following repeat 2 times:
20 rows Lace Pattern,
2 rows Stockinette,
8 rows Small Cable Pattern (flat version),
2 rows Stockinette.
After that, work remaining rows in Ribbing.
Sequence B (Sleeves):
36 (42) 48 rows Ribbing, then work the following repeat 2 times:
20 rows Lace Pattern,
2 rows Stockinette,
8 rows Small Cable Pattern (flat version),
2 rows Stockinette.
Total = 100 (106) 112 rows from cast-on.
Back
Using a crossed cast-on (or long-tail) with double strand of yarn, cast on 111 (123) 135 sts.
Purl 1 WS row (this row is not counted in the row total).
Work in Sequence A as written above.
After 49 cm / 140 rows (52.5 cm / 150 rows) 55.5 cm / 158 rows from cast-on, bind off all sts.
- The center 49 sts form the back neck.
- The outer 31 (37) 43 sts on each side are shoulders.
Front
Work exactly as for the Back until the neck shaping.
At 44 cm / 126 rows (47.5 cm / 136 rows) 50.5 cm / 144 rows from cast-on, bind off the center 39 sts.
Work each side separately.
Neck shaping (inner edge):
Bind off 1 st at the neck edge every 2nd row, 5 times in total.
Finish the other side symmetrically.
Sleeves (make two)
Using crossed cast-on with double strand, cast on 75 (87) 99 sts.
Purl 1 WS row (not counted).
Work in Sequence B as written above.
After 34.5 cm / 100 rows (36.5 cm / 106 rows) 38.5 cm / 112 rows from cast-on, bind off all sts loosely.
Finishing & Assembly
Shoulder seams: sew both shoulders using mattress stitch.
Neckband:
With the circular needle (16″), pick up and knit 96 sts evenly around the neck opening.
Knit 1 round.
Then work 4 rounds of the Small Cable Pattern (in the round).
Important: In Round 4 of the cable pattern, decrease as follows: in every second section of stockinette, work the middle 3 sts as k3tog.
You will have 88 sts remaining. Bind off all stitches loosely in pattern.
Set in sleeves: sew the sleeves into the armholes.
Sleeve seams: sew the underarm seams.
Side seams: sew from armhole down, leaving the bottom 15 cm (6″) open for side slits.
Weave in all ends. Block gently to open up the lace and even out the cables.
Final Notes – Tips for American Knitters
This lace and cable pullover knitting pattern is an excellent choice for those who love texture but want a lightweight, wearable garment. The combination of eyelet lace and small twisted cables creates a fabric that is neither too dense nor too sheer. The side slits add modern ease, and the cotton yarn makes this sweater machine-washable on a delicate cycle (lay flat to dry). If you have never worked a lace and cable combo before, trust the process – the repeat is short and rhythmic. Once you finish your first lace and cable pullover, you will want to knit another one in a different color. Happy knitting! 🧶
Knitting Chart
Symbol Key
- + = edge stitch
- □ = k (knit)
- — = p (purl)
- U = yo (yarn over)
- V2 = k2tog (knit two together)
- ↓ = ssk (slip, slip, knit)
- ↑ = k3tog tbl (knit three together through back loops)
Sweater Schematic
