We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Culinary

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What is a Cable Knit Sweater?

By Marie Biondolillo
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 18,434
Share

A cable knit sweater is a sweater that is knitted in a cable pattern. The patterns typically resemble twisted or braided ropes, and range in style from quite simple to the complicated. Originating in Ireland where they traditionally were created by hand, the sweaters are now mostly made by knitting machines.

The sweater as first made in the Aran Islands of Ireland. Aran sweaters are a subtype of cable knit sweaters, and they are also known as fisherman's sweaters. The Aran sweaters were originally made from unwashed wool, which gave them a waterproof quality due to the lanolin oils present in the wool. Although most of these types of sweaters are not made from unwashed wool, those made from wool are still quite water resistant and help the wearer to remain warm even when wet. The majority of the sweaters still are made from wool, but they may also be made from cotton and other fabrics, as well.

A cable knit sweater is considered to be a classic item of apparel. The sweaters may be worn by men, women, and children alike. They come in a variety of styles, from crew necks to cardigans. Although the classic cable knit is cream colored, they are now produced in a huge range of hues, from fuchsia to black.

To create a cable knit sweater, several knitting techniques are utilized. In knitting, a wale is a series of stitches that are each suspended from the next. To make a cable knit, several wales are made to cross over each other. Cables then may be made into braids and other patterns, with some patterns utilizing up to seven braids.

A six cable braid is known as a Saxon braid, while a five cable braid is known as a Celtic Princess braid. Cable knit sweater patterns may also incorporate knots, double helixes, and lattices. Another popular pattern is the honeycomb. The cable knit is not just used to create sweaters. Other cable knit items include socks, scarves, and hats.

Generally, a certain amount of myth surrounds cable knit sweaters. Some people believe that different clans in Ireland each have their own cable knit sweater patterns. This is not the case; however, some cable knit patterns do have regional or local affiliations.

Most modern cable knit sweaters are no longer made by hand; instead, they are machine knit. While some knitters do still produce cable knits by hand, the sweaters are quite expensive due to the length of production time. Since it is difficult for machines to weave the more intricate cable knit patterns, most machine-made cable knits tend to be simpler in design than handmade ones.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-is-a-cable-knit-sweater.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.