How to Knit the Lobster Claw Stitch Pattern + Video

Today, you’ll learn how to knit the Lobster Claw stitch (as requested by one of my followers on YT).

I’m happy to share this tutorial because it’s not only a delicate pattern; it’s much easier than many other cable designs.

In fact, from the six rows that form it, five of them are plain knit or purl rows.

So we’ll be crossing stitches in row 3 only… as easy as it gets!

And I think that the Lobster Claw Stitch will look pretty not only on sweaters, but also on blankets, hats, gloves, socks, and scarves or wraps.

It’s a 9 stitches-repeat pattern, and you can knit the cables together (making one repeat after the other).

Or separate them using a 4-6 stitch panel in Reverse Stockinette stitch (purling those stitches on the RS, and purling them on the WS).

If this is one of your first times knitting cables, I’ve shared my best tips to be successful at it in previous tutorials, so don’t miss them…

Last but not least, if your choice is to knit a scarf or any other project that should stay flat, add a nice edge on each side of the garment.

For example (depending on your gauge), leave 4-6 stitches ash the beginning and at the end of each row for a non-curling pattern (like the Seed stitch, the Irish Moss stitch, etc.).

Then, start and finish the project working some rows in the same stitch.

Ok, enough chatting. Grab your needles, and some yarn, and let’s get busy!

Abbreviations

CO: Cast on

st: Stitch

RS: Right side of the work

K: Knit

P: Purl

C4R: Cable 4 Right. Slip the next three stitches onto a cable needle, hold it at the back of the work, knit one stitch from the left-hand needle, and knit  3 stitches from the cable needle.

C4L: Cable 4 Left. Slip the next stitch onto a cable needle, hold it at the front of the work, knit three from the left-hand needle, and knit the stitch from the cable needle. 

There are several sorts of cable needles; you can use a third needle of the same size as the needles you’re working with (or smaller), a cable needle per se, a stitch holder, or even a Bobby Pin (hairpin), whatever works best for you! #ad

BO: Bind Off

How to Knit the Lobster Claw Stitch Pattern

Cast on multiples of 9 + 2 (edge/selvage st); i.e.: 9 * 2 = 18 + 2 = 20 st.

Rows 1 and 5 (RS): K across

Row 2 and every even row: P across

Row 3: *C4R, K1, C4L*. Repeat from * to *, to last st, K1 (edge)

Row 6: P across

These 6 rows create the pattern. Repeat them until the desired length is reached.

When finished, BO knitwise after row 4 (RS).

This is the other side of the work:

Enjoy the step-by-step video tutorial:

Lobster Claw Stitch Pattern

Thank you for watching 🙂

Hugs, and happy knitting,

Carolina – So Woolly

PS: Searching for more Cable Knitting Patterns? Take a look at my collection!