• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
two sugar bugs
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Coffee Talk
  • come say hello
    • Contact
    • Privacy Policy
  • Navigation Menu: Social Icons

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About
  • Recipes
  • Coffee Talk
  • Come say hello
  • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • subscribe
    search icon
    Homepage link
    • About
    • Recipes
    • Coffee Talk
    • Come say hello
    • Work With Me
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
  • ×

    Home » Cookies

    How to Decorate Cable Knit Sweater Cookies

    November 12, 2020 by Tasia 2 Comments

    pinterest graphic for how to decorate cable knit sweater cookies

    Decorate cable knit sweater cookies like a pro with this step-by-step tutorial! Photos and a video included to create these cozy cookies.

    hand holding a cable knit sweater decorated sugar cookie

    Learn how to create these cozy cable knit sweater patterns on sugar cookies with buttercream. I walk you through the process step-by-step with photos and videos. The process isn't as hard as you might think!

    decorated cable knit sweater cookies on parchment paper

    Disclosure | This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Fall is full upon us and these cozy sweater cookies are a great way to spread some cheer! I've been smitten with this cable knit pattern showing up on cakes over the past few years and I wanted to share how you can create this look on sugar cookies. Just imagine how wonderful these will look on a cookie tray for Christmas!

    Tools you need to decorate cable knit sweater cookies

    • baked sugar cookies {classic recipe, chocolate recipe, cinnamon recipe, gingerbread recipe}
    • buttercream {here's the recipe for my favorite American buttercream}
    • off-set spatula
    • piping bags {here are the disposable bags that I use}
    • piping tips {here are the Wilton tips used 4, 18, 21}
    • assorted gel colors {optional}
    • couplers {optional}

    All the cookies shown in this post are my soft gingerbread sugar cookies. The white patterns are created on a 3 ¼ inch cookie and the pink patterns are created on a 3 inch cookie using this fluted cookie cutter.

    • three wilton piping tips and a coupler
    • top view of three wilton piping tips

    Prepare the cookies

    The sugar cookies need to be fully cooled before piping. I like to freeze my cookies for at least a few hours prior to decorating. Cold cookies are easier to decorate {in my opinion} and freezing them helps to create a softer final cookie.

    Start by taking a small amount of buttercream and smooth it over the circumference of the cookie, leaving a small edge. An off-set spatula works perfectly for this part. This does not need to be perfect!! It keeps the cookie from showing through in the pattern.

    cookie with a light layer of smooth buttercream
    Cookies with a thin layer of buttercream.

    There is no correct pattern to create with these cookies. Just have fun!! I will walk you through one pattern to give you some ideas.

    Let's decorate cable knit sweater cookies!

    First pipe an "x" with the Wilton 18 tip. You will make a column of x's down the length of the cookie.

    first piping step for cable knit sweater cookies using a Wilton 18
    Create a column of x's going down the length of the cookie.

    For the second row, use a Wilton 4 and create horizontal lines in a short pattern down the length of the cookie.

    second row of piping added to cookie using Wilton 4
    Create a column of horizontal lines back and forth with a Wilton 4.

    For the third row, use a Wilton 21 and pipe individual stars in a column down the cookie. Hold the piping bag directly over the cookie and apply some pressure and then release to create each star.

    third row of piping on sweater cookie using Wilton 21
    Create a column of stars down the length of the cookie using a Wilton 21.

    The fourth row will repeat the horizontal lines with a Wilton 4.

    fourth row of piping added using a Wilton 4
    Create a column of horizontal lines back and forth with a Wilton 4.

    Now create another column of x's going down the length of the cookie.

    Fifth row of cable knit sweater piping added using Wilton 18
    Create a column of x's going down the length of the cookie with a Wilton 18.

    I left a little bit too much room on the left side of the cookie, so I created another row of stars at the beginning with the Wilton 21.

    Final row of piping added using Wilton 21

    Finally, use the Wilton 18 to pipe stars around the outside of the cookie. Use the same method as you used with the Wilton 21, hold the tip directly over the cookie, use some pressure and then release to create each star. Ta da! All done! For your information, each cookie took about 2 minutes to pipe in real time.

    fully decorated cable knit sweater cookie

    Another pattern using the same tips

    This pattern turned out to be my favorite and I did not video or photograph it being created. 🤦🏻‍♀️ Murphy's law, right??

    decorated cable knit sweater cookie with labels of what tips were used

    what is a coupler and why would I want to use one?

    A coupler is plastic device that goes in the bottom of your piping bag before adding the buttercream. It allows you to quickly change piping tips on the same piping bag.

    It's helpful to use a coupler when you may want to use the same piping tip on different bags of buttercream. They are not a necessity for this type of cookie, but they can be very useful when decorating cookies, cupcakes and cakes. {You can see that I did use them during the video}

    I hope this tutorial is helpful and I cannot wait to see what you create!

    Remember to snap a picture and tag me @twosugarbugs on Instagram if you make these Cable Knit Sweater Cookies. It warms my heart to see you bring these recipes to life! Thank you for being here and happy baking!

    More Cookies

    • Raspberry Crumble Cookies
    • Pie Cookies
    • Peanut Butter Thumbprint Cookies
    • Iced Molasses Cookies

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christie

      November 13, 2020 at 1:27 pm

      You're so talented Tasia! I loved seeing the step by step pictures of how you decorated these gorgeous cookies!

      Reply
      • Tasia

        November 13, 2020 at 2:12 pm

        Aww, thank you for always being so kind Christie!💗. Piping cookies is a very happy and therapeutic activity for me and I hope to pass that on to others!

        Reply

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    welcome graphic

    Hi, I'm Tasia! I'm here to inspire you to get into the kitchen and create food from scratch. I make delicious and approachable recipes that you will want to make again and again. The recipes you find here will always be sweet and sometimes savory.

    More about me →

    https://thefeedfeed.com/

    Come Follow Along...

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter

    Reader Favorite Recipes

    • Sprinkle Cookies
    • Buttercream Sugar Cookies
    • Cookie Butter Cake
    • Homemade Caramels

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Meet Tasia
    • Privacy Policy
    • Comment Policy

    Newsletter

    • Sign Up! for emails and updates

    Contact

    • Work with Me
    • Come Say hello

    All images and content are copyright protected.  Please do not use our images without prior permission. 

    Copyright © 2023 two sugar bugs

    357 shares