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How to Knit the Honeycomb Cable Stitch

The Honeycomb Cable Stitch is a textured pattern that looks more complicated than it really is. Resembling the hexagonal structure of a beehive, this stitch creates cable twists that form a raised, dimensional effect. It’s often used in scarves, sweaters, cushion covers, and knit panels to add visual interest and texture.

A swatch of the honeycomb cable worked in blue yarnHoneycomb Cable Stitch

Skill Level

Intermediate (Requires knowledge of basic cables and working with a cable needle.)  But even if you have never picked up a cable needle, you can learn this stitch with a bit of practice.

Skills Needed

  • Casting on
  • Knitting and purling
  • Using a cable needle (or cabling without one)
  • Reading a simple 4-row repeat

Abbreviations

K: Knit
P: Purl
C4B: Cable 4 Back (Slip 2 sts to CN, hold in back, K2, then K2 from CN)
C4F: Cable 4 Front (Slip 2 sts to CN, hold in front, K2, then K2 from CN)
CN: Cable needle
RS: Right side
WS: Wrong side

Supplies Needed for a Practice Swatch

  • Worsted or aran-weight yarn.  Solid colored yarns will show off the texture.
  • US Size 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles
  • Cable needle (optional but recommended if you are a beginner)
  • Tapestry needle (for weaving in ends)
  • Stitch markers (optional)

Notes About the Pattern

  • The texture is reversible in the sense that both sides are attractive, but only one side shows the full 'honeycomb' definition.
  • Blocking enhances the 3D appearance of the stitch.
  • Use a lofty wool yarn to highlight the raised cables best.

Project Ideas

  • Cabled headbands or earwarmers
  • Throw pillows or afghans
  • Sweater yokes or center panels
  • Cowls and infinity scarves

Instructions for Working Flat

Cast on in multiples of 8 stitches (24, 32, 40 )

I cast on 24 stitches for the practice swatch.

Row 1:  K 

Row 2: P

Row 3: *2/2 RC. 2/2 LC, rep from * to end.

Row 4:  P

Row 5: K

Row 6: P

Row 7: *2/2 RC. 2/2 LC, rep from * to end.

Row 8: P

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the honeycomb cable stitch hard?

Not at all! It only requires basic 4-stitch cables (C4B and C4F) and a 4-row repeat. It’s an excellent beginner cable project.

Can I knit the honeycomb stitch without a cable needle?

Yes! Once you're confident, you can use your working needle to cross-stitch—just be careful to keep tension even.

How do I block the honeycomb stitch?

Wet block or steam block gently to open the cables slightly without flattening the texture.

Pin Now for Reference

Honeycomb cable stitch swatch on a pin imageHoneycomb Cable Stitch

Summary

The Honeycomb Cable Stitch is a perfect way to practice cable knitting while creating bold, geometric texture. It's a fantastic choice for projects that benefit from structure and depth.

Other Cable Stitches

Mock eyelet cable stitch worked in bright pinkMock Cable
A cable swatch worked in the pattern of four stitches that lean to the right2/2 RC