The traditional cable sweater is sometimes referred to as an angler’s sweater.  Its roots date back to the Irish Gaelic times, and were worn in the outdoors by fishermen and other tradesmen.  Cable sweaters are often bulky sweaters designed for warmth that adorn a tell tale cable or rope design on the front.  The easiest way to distinguish a cable sweater from another type of sweater is to look for complex stitched patterns on the front. 

Most commonly, these sweaters are knitted using wool, which was water proof and helped to protect the fishermen from damp conditions.  Traditionally, the sweaters came only in cream or beige, because the wool was easier to find and less expensive in those colors. 
 
Today, cable sweaters have morphed a long way from their humble roots and are now handsomely crafted and engrained into modern winter and fall fashion.  Most cable sweaters today are not knitted by hand, and are instead created by machines.  This not only makes them less expensive for the typical consumer but also ensures that they are more attractive and colorful than the cable sweaters of yesteryear. 

Additionally, they are no longer made with just wool, and are easy to find in such durable fibers as cotton.  This makes them more comfortable and has eliminated much of the bulk associated with wool cable sweaters. 
 
Types of Cable Sweaters Sold Today
 
If you are looking for versatile and washable cable sweaters, you have many choices.  Today, you can find the typical cable sweater pattern available in turtlenecks, V-necks, cardigan style sweaters and crew necks.  Many are embellished with buttons and clasps to make them more modern.  You can also find sweaters with the intricate cable roped designs that are especially made for infants and toddlers. 
 
Many companies have also infused today’s fashion trends into the making of the cable knit sweaters and offer them in varying lengths.  Some can be worn as tunics, while others are designed with ¾ cap sleeves to be worn alone or with a long sleeve shirt underneath. 

Cable sweaters made for women are often fancier than those made for men are.  The best news about today’s cable sweaters is that they come in washable fabrics which means that you don’t have to worry about shrinkage or shredding of the wool when machine washing.  For a long time, a cable wool sweater was dry clean only, which made it a costly investment. 
 
Cable sweaters are designed for both casual and professional wear.  Most people today pair their cable sweaters with jeans or dress slacks.  Since the designs and color options today are so vast, they are a great choice for people looking for warm clothing that can be worn around the house and to work.  You will also find that many popular stores such as Old Navy, The Gap, LL Bean, Ralph Lauren, and Cabela’s offer a wide assortment of cable sweaters in various fabrics and colors. 
 
While hand knitted cable sweaters tend to be expensive, costing around $100 because of all the handiwork involved, machine created sweaters from popular retailers range in the $30 to $80 price category, depending on style and fabrics.  Essentially, cable sweaters are an affordable, common sense piece of clothing that are designed for functionality, warmth, and style. 


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