Inspired Cable Knits: 20 Creative Designs for Making Sweaters and Accessories

Internationally acclaimed knitwear designer Fiona Ellis shares the meditative power of “mindful” knitting in this collection of 20 stunning cable designs. Enriched by notes from the author about the spark behind her creative process, Inspired Cable Knits is ideal for intermediate and returning knitters looking for a new approach to a traditional technique.

Fascinated by nature’s wonderful variety of patterns and textures, Ellis offers new twists on cable knits. Inspired by the beauty of sand rippled by the tide, the grooves and ridges of tree bark, jagged lightning bolts, and yoga poses—these patterns are beautiful and unique. Ellis, whose designs have been acquired by many top names in the fashion industry, explains cable knitting thoroughly and offers step-by-step instruction and charts for each pattern.

In this collection of 20 original, inspired designs, Ellis combines her extensive fashion expertise with her own creative approach. This unique selection of cable patterns ventures out of the predictable realm of vertical columns and constant repetition and into the spontaneous territory of a variety of natural designs. Each pattern is combined with easy-to-follow instructions, diagrams, and Ellis’s own thought-provoking “mindfulness” pointers to keep the mind engaged while the fingers are knitting. The four themes of change, nature, energy, and time present a range of captivating styles for the entire family. From sweaters to tank tops, yoga bags to pillows, wraps to scarves, each of the 20 patterns offers an opportunity to tune into a mindful approach to knitting.


The book’s 20 unique patterns are grouped according to the four themes that have shaped Fiona’s design philosophy: change, nature, energy, and time. This book encourages knitters not only to create everything from sweaters to tank tops, yoga bags to pillows, and wraps to scarves, but also to experience and think about the artistic process. Unwind with Fiona Ellis’s Inspired Cable Knits.

Fiona Ellis has been designing fashion knitwear professionally for over ten years. Her designs have been seen on the pages of premiere knitting magazines such as Vogue Knitting International and Interweave Knits. She also designs for leading yarn companies such as Classic Elite Yarns, Patons, and Berroco. Her design concepts have also been acquired by some of the world’s leading fashion houses. She lives in Toronto, Canada. This is her first book. Visit her website at fionaellisonline.com.

Lindsey Maier is a professional photographer and digital artist with a fresh approach to modern photography. She tackles each assignment with passion, intensity, and a sense of fun.