How to Knit Openwork Lace – Easy Drop Stitch Cable Pattern

If you’re looking to add a touch of elegance to your knitting projects, the Dropped Stitch Cable pattern is the perfect choice. It’s time to learn How to Knit Openwork Lace – Easy Drop Stitch Cable Pattern with the help of you BiCrafty Bestie, Marly Bird.

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This stunning stitch pattern can be used for a variety of projects, such as my Savannah Shutters top, a swimsuit cover-up, or a beautiful scarf. Its unique texture and drape highlight the beauty of silky yarns, making your creations truly stand out.

Here at MarlyBird.com, I’ve been a fan of drop stitches and use them in a variety of projects. You might remember doing a version of a drop stitch pattern on the very first Turkey Trot poncho pattern, or one of the very first youtube videos I did showing dropped stitches for this free pattern by Red Heart.

The Dropped Stitch Cable pattern is versatile and adaptable, suitable for any size needles or weight of yarn. However, it shines brightest when used with yarns that have silk, bamboo, or rayon in their blend. These fibers allow the fabric to drape gracefully and showcase the vibrant colors beautifully.

Fall in LOVE with Dropped Knit Stitches

What is not to love about these fun yarn over and drop stitches. It might be a bit nerve wracking at the start but once you let that stitch fall off the knitting needle and you see the beautiful (intentional) ladders that appear you will be mesmerized!

These dropped stitches enhance the drape and flow of silky yarns. They are also perfect for a variety of projects, from garments to accessories. And, the stitch pattern is easy to adapt to different yarn weights and needle sizes.

As mentioned, a great example of how a designer uses drop stitches to create openwork lace fabric with a highly textured yarn is the poncho I designed for the very first Turkey Trot mystery make-along (event held every Thanksgiving Day weekend).

Materials needed for the drop stitch cable pattern

• Any size knitting needles – choose a needle that works best with the yarn weight you choose to use for your project.
• Any weight of yarn (preferably with silk, bamboo, or rayon blended with a touch of wool or cotton) – this stitch pattern really highlights the beauty of the yarn. The drop stitch pattern allows for the texture and shine of the yarn to be on display. Plus, the drape of the overall fabric works best with the yarn has a bit of cellulose fiber in it.

Here are some yarn suggestions for this stitch pattern. I like the look and feel of these yarns coupled with openwork lace knit patterns like this one:

Knit Picks, Gloss DK weight yarn

Knit Picks, Galileo DK weight yarn

Knit Picks, Samia Fingering weight yarn

Madelinetosh, Pashmina Sport weight yarn

Or, if you have that extra special ball of yarn like Qiviut and you are looking for a simple yet dramatic knit pattern for it, this stitch pattern is the one for you. As a matter of fact, I used this exact yarn for one of my favorite pieces I’ve ever knit.

The drop stitch technique can be worked with basic knit cables like the cable 4 back or the cable 4 front, or with even more complex cables like those used in the Trail Hoodie pattern. As long as you keep the intended drop stitch outside of the cable pattern, you can achieve this look.

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Drop Stitch Cable Pattern Video Tutorial

To help you get started, I’ve created a detailed video tutorial where I guide you through each step of knitting the Dropped Stitch Cable pattern flat. You can find the video here.

The Dropped Stitch Cable pattern is a beautiful addition to any knitter’s skill set. Whether you’re a seasoned knitter or a beginner looking for a new challenge, this pattern offers endless possibilities for creating elegant and unique projects.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is openwork lace in knitting?

Openwork lace creates intentional holes or openings in knitted fabric through yarn overs paired with decreases. The yarn overs add stitches (creating the holes) while the decreases remove them (maintaining stitch count). The arrangement of yarn overs and decreases creates the specific lace pattern. “Open work” emphasizes the airy, open quality of the resulting fabric… the visible holes are the design element rather than mistakes to avoid. Drop stitch is a specific type of openwork where stitches are intentionally dropped and allowed to run down the fabric, creating dramatic vertical openings.

What is the drop stitch technique?

Drop stitch involves intentionally dropping a stitch off your needle and letting it “ladder” or run down several rows of knitting, creating a long, vertical open column in the fabric. Unlike accidentally dropping a stitch (which is a mistake), drop stitch is planned and deliberate… you often work a specific “over” stitch that creates an elongated loop, then drop that loop at a later point to create the ladder. The resulting fabric has dramatic vertical openings that create a striking, modern effect. It’s a technique that makes a visual statement with very little technical complexity.

How does drop stitch combine with cables?

The combination creates beautiful contrast! Dense, structured cable columns paired with open, airy drop-stitch sections creates a fabric with dramatic texture variation. The cable provides architectural strength and visual interest through the twisted stitches, while the adjacent drop-stitch sections open up the fabric and create lightness. This contrast makes each element look more impressive than it would alone. The easy drop stitch cable pattern in this post uses this combination to create a striking fabric that looks more complex than either technique alone.

Is drop stitch knitting beginner-friendly?

Basic drop stitch is actually very accessible… you’re literally dropping stitches on purpose, which feels counterintuitive at first but is technically simple. The challenge is maintaining your nerve and trusting the technique! The elongated/yarn-over version that creates controlled drop stitches is slightly more involved but still within advanced beginner reach. When combined with cables, you need intermediate knitting comfort (being comfortable with cable crosses and working with cable needles). The combined drop stitch cable pattern is intermediate territory but very achievable with video support.

What yarn shows drop stitch and openwork lace best?

Smooth yarn that clearly reveals the open spaces! Fuzzy or textured yarn fills in the deliberately open spaces and defeats the purpose. Wool and wool blends are beautiful… the elasticity keeps the stitches neat and the fabric springs back nicely. For drop stitch specifically, slightly heavier smooth yarns show the deliberate ladder effect most dramatically. Avoid cotton for drop stitch (it doesn’t have the memory to keep the laddered sections looking intentional) and definitely avoid anything that would obscure the openwork holes that are the whole point of the technique.