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It’s the most wonderful time of year: when we give away free crochet patterns every week leading up to the holiday gift-giving season. We’re featuring a new free pattern every Tuesday for 12 weeks. This week’s free crochet pattern is Pineapple Beanie.
To help you with your holiday gift list, we offer our favorite annual tradition: the 12 Weeks of Gifting, where we release a brand new free pattern every Tuesday for 12 weeks, counting down the days to mid-December. We are featuring all sorts of projects—from cozy shawls to cushy scarves and pretty hats—a little something for everyone on your list!
Hats are a quick handmade gift for the whole family. The Pineapple Beanie is a great project to introduce you to the pineapple stitch pattern.
This hat is worked from the top down with pineapple increase and decreases. Post stitches highlight pineapples and make them more noticeable. The edging is worked in post stitches.
Stay Tuned for More 12 Weeks of Gifting Patterns to Come
Mighty Mittens
Winter Cable Hat
Multiverse Colorwork Hat
Cozy Infinity Scarf
Bright Gifts Wrap
Vanilla Latte Superscarf
Triana Shawl
Holiday Sweets Shawl
Bambino Ripple Blanket
We can’t wait to reveal the rest of this year’s 12 Weeks of Gifting Patterns, so check back next Tuesday to find out what the next pattern will be.
In the meantime, check out last year’s 12 Weeks of Gifting Patterns to inspire you as you craft up your holiday gifts (or maybe just make something for yourself!)
Once you’ve mastered the crochet basics, it’s time to branch out! Maybe you want to learn some fun new crochet stitches, or perhaps it’s time to learn to crochet cables! In this article, we’ll learn how to crochet cables, and then find some great patterns to start cable crocheting with.
First, let’s just chat about cables. Before I started working for WeCrochet, I didn’t know that crocheting with cables was a thing (I thought cables were only for knitters). Think again! It turns out you CAN crochet cables, and it’s not even that hard once you have some basics down.
So, what are the building blocks of crochet cables? Simple, post stitches are the most basic building block of crochet cables.
First, you need to know how to front post double crochet (FPDC) and back post double crochet (BPDC). If you’re afraid, don’t be! These are highly useful, and not hard at all once you practice them a bit.
How to FPDC and BPDC:
How to work front post double crochet (FPDC): YO, insert hook around post of indicated st from front to back to front, YO, pull through, [YO, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice.
It’s not hard once you understand that you need to put your hook AROUND a stitch (as shown in the photo above). Learning FPDC is essential to learning how to crochet cables.
How to work back post double crochet (BPDC): YO, insert hook around post of indicated st from back to front to back, YO, pull through, [YO, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice.
Back post double crochet is basically the same as FPDC, but you stick your hook in from behind the work, around the post, and back out to behind the work.
How to Use Post Stitches to Crochet Cables:
Use crochet cables to make Fishtail cables, 2×2 cables, or even textured stripes
Now that you know the basics for creating post stitches, you can use them to create more intricate stitch patterns, like cables! Cables use crossed front post stitches to create an appearance of twisted fabric.
Crochet patterns will have different cable instructions, depending on the design, and there are many kinds of cables, such as (shown above, left to right) Fishtail cables, 2×2 cables, or even textured stripes using front- and back-post stitches.
But how do you actually make a cable happen?
It’s usually a combination of skipping stitches, doing post stitches, and then coming back to continue crocheting on the skipped stitches, either crocheting in front of the last stitches or behind them, depending on which way you want the cable to appear to twist.
Let’s see a visual demonstration:
How to crochet a left cable
Crocheting a Left Cable (LC): Sk next 3 sts, FPtr around next 3 sts, FPtr around 3 skipped sts, working in front of sts just made.
How to crochet a right cable
Crocheting a Right Cable (RC): Sk next 3 sts, FPtr around next 3 sts, FPtr around 3 skipped sts, working behind sts just made.
Want to know more about crochet cables?
You’ve just learned the basics of learning to crochet cables. Still want more? Learn more about crocheting cables, including our Pro Tips for crocheting cables in Issue 4 of WeCrochet Magazine.
You’ll also find 13 full crochet cable patterns printed in the magazine, from beginner to intermediate, to more advanced cables. There’s a crochet pattern for everyone in this issue!
Speaking of crochet cable patterns, I promised to point you toward some good crochet cable patterns to start with. Let’s go!
Good Beginner Crochet Cable Patterns:
Here are some great patterns to download for practicing your crochet cables. They’re small, have simpler cables, and will allow you to focus on practicing your technique.
A single braid stands out in the center of this easy-to-wear headband, creating a striking cabled texture that looks intricate without being difficult to make.
The headband is worked in short rows using basic stitches with a 2-row repeat creating the braided cable. The cable uses front and back post treble crochet stitches.
2. Railway Hill Set
This set (hat, mittens, and cowl) is a perfect way for beginners to learn to crochet cables. Build up confidence by only using front post stitches with a background of double crochet and then learn how to do back post stitches while crocheting the ribbing.
Interlocking columns of left- and right-twisting cables evoke the structure and movement of a cable-operated mountain railroad, which is where this cowl gets its fun name. The post-stitch cables reach upward from the bottom edge of the cowl, giving it rich allover texture.
This cowl is a tubular design worked in rounds from bottom to top. The cable pattern is created by crossing groups of three Treble Crochet post stitches over one another. Because this pattern is worked in the round, you only crochet cables on the right side (RS).
The twisting and braiding of cables in tandem with pops of bobbles conjure a picture of crawling ivy and climbing roses on this contemporary yet classic headband.
The Cascina Cabled Headband is an oval-shaped ear warmer, worked flat from point to point, then seamed together at the end with an elastic hair tie. Unique wedge cable shaping grows from one cable to six at the start and shrinks from six cables down to one at the end.
Build this practical and beautiful backpack using a textured stitch that looks similar to a honeycomb. The interesting part of this particular stitch is the use of front and back post double crochet stitches to create a pattern that works inside out.
What do you think? Do you feel ready to try crochet cables now? Which project will you make first?
We are so excited to announce that Issue 4 of WeCrochet Magazine is here! This issue is brought to you by lots of warm cozy texture, the comforting feeling of being at home with a WIP to work on, and lots of yummy yarn!
We’re excited about this issue’s collections—first, Comforts of Home has 9 brand new crochet patterns that focus on making your house a home with patterns for useful décor with classic style.
Check out all the texture from The Comforts of Home collection!
Next, Off the Beaten Path features 12 original projects that are all about crochet cables! In this collection you’ll find all the cozy cables and warm wools you need to fill your autumn closet.
Some of the texture in the Off the Beaten Path collection
We’re featuring a new free pattern every Tuesday for 12 weeks. This week’s free crochet pattern is the Braided Headband.
It’s almost that time of year! The time of year to exchange gifts with all your loved ones! Here at WeCrochet, we’ve been giving away a free pattern to make as a gift each week, and we’ve finally made it to week 12! In this final week of free patterns, we’re releasing the Braided Headband.
The Braided Headband is a cute wrap for your head with a simple cable braid working up the center. If you’re new to crochet cables, this is the perfect project for getting started. Once you’ve perfected your work with post stitches, you can work this simple repeat over and over until the headband reaches the circumference you want. Then add buttons and voila! A cute headband accessory to wear throughout the cold-weather months!
The Braided Headband‘s size is easily adjustable, making it the perfect gift for almost everyone on your list. This headband works up so quickly, you’ll have time to finish one (and maybe two or three), before it’s time to exchange gifts. The project is worked in silky soft Paragon, a super-soft fiber blend of Merino Wool, Baby Alpaca, and Mulberry Silk. This soft and luxurious yarn will make your handmade gift extra special.
12 Weeks of Gifting—Week 12: Braided Headband
We’ve finally made it to Week 12 of the 12 Weeks of Gifting! For the past 12 weeks, we’ve been giving away a pattern a week leading up to the ultimate gift-giving season. We’ve included a wide range of free patterns, so everyone on your list will be happy. The projects have gotten progressively smaller as we get closer to the end of year so you’ll have time to finish before gift exchanges.
If you’re on the hunt for fantastic patterns to carry you through the winter season, be sure to check out the past patterns from the 12 Weeks of Gifting. We’ve included afghan patterns, throws, market bags, clutches, cowls, mitts, and more! All patterns are in a range of yarns and yarn weights, all available in a ton of colors, so you’re sure to find the perfect project. Happy Holiday season, and happy 12 Weeks of Gifting!
Previous 12 Weeks of Gifting Free Crochet Patterns:
We’re featuring a new free pattern every Tuesday for 12 weeks. This week’s free crochet pattern is the Two-Color Cable Cowl.
The gift-giving season is here and we’re celebrating with free crochet patterns! We know you’ll love making this Two-Color Cable Cowl from Amy Gunderson almost as much as you’ll love gifting it. This stunning pattern is so soft and cozy, everyone on your list will love it!
The 12 Weeks of Gifting campaign celebrates giving season by releasing one pattern a week, every Tuesday leading up to mid-December. As we get closer to the holidays, the projects will get smaller so you’ll have time to finish before the big gift exchange.
There is a range of projects releasing from afghans, to bags, to headbands so you are sure to find a project that everyone on your list will enjoy! Be sure to check back each Tuesday leading up to the holidays for a free pattern we know you’ll love!
12 Weeks of Gifting—Week 9: Two-Color Cable Cowl
This week’s free pattern is the Two-Color Cable Cowl. This stunning project is so much fun to make, you might need to make a few of them. The unique stitch pattern is charted, so you’ll be able to pick it up with ease. Try out this interesting technique and enjoy the spirit of gift-making!
The Two-Color Cable Cowl is made in Simply Alpaca Aran, a luxuriously soft yarn that’s sure to keep you cozy and warm. The Aran weight will help this project go fast. Be sure to check out the range of neutral colors available in this lovely yarn. The colors are perfect for making a cold-weather outfit staple, sure to be worn for many years to come.
Previous 12 Weeks of Gifting Free Crochet Patterns:
![A hot pink text frame with black text that says: How to work front post double crochet (FPDC): YO, insert hook around post of indicated st from front to back to front, YO, pull through, [YO, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice. Learning FPDC is foundational in order to crochet cables.](https://ejxjjkak52w.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/fpdc.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
![A light pink text frame with black text that says: How to work back post double crochet (BPDC): YO, insert hook around post of indicated st from back to front to back, YO, pull through, [YO, pull through 2 lps on hook] twice.
Learning BPDC is foundational in order to crochet cables.](https://ejxjjkak52w.exactdn.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/05/bpdc.png?strip=all&lossy=1&ssl=1)
