This cable knit baby beanie is a lovely project for knitters who are comfortable with the basics and ready to practice cables in the round.

Sized for babies aged 6–12 months, the hat is worked in worsted/Aran yarn using two coordinating colors. It has a folded ribbed brim, a textured cable design, and a pom-pom for a cozy finish.

Scroll down for the free pattern and printer-friendly version.

An Intermediate-Level Baby Hat Pattern

This intermediate-level knitting pattern is worked in the round.

You will need to know how to knit and purl, increase and decrease stitches, follow cable instructions, and knit in the round.

You may also need double-pointed needles to shape the crown.

baby beanie hat with a cable knit design

Helpful Resources

This baby beanie pattern is great for any intermediate-level knitters.

Baby Beanie Hat Pattern (Cable Knit)

Purchase the inexpensive ad-free, printable PDF pattern in my shop here.

Pattern Notes

Skill Level – Intermediate

The hat knits up quickly, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

The hat is knit from the bottom up, starting with the folded ribbed brim and working up, changing color and starting the cable stitch patterns.

You can use any worsted-weight yarn in baby-friendly fibers, including acrylic, yarns from Lion Brand, and any of your other favorite yarns.

The hat band and pom pom are made in a coordinating color; however, you could make this hat in stripes if you wish.

Scroll down for the free pattern, or purchase the printer-friendly, ad-free PDF from my shop.

Copyright Info

Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
You may sell items produced using this pattern.
Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.

Size Information

Size – 6–12 months

To fit a head circumference of approximately 18–20 inches/46–51 cm.
Finished width lying flat: 5.5 inches.
Finished length lying flat, excluding the pom-pom: 9 inches.

Baby head sizes can vary, so measure the recipient’s head if possible.

Gauge

16 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches/10 cm using the larger 5 mm (US 8) needles.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

1 skein of yarn – Kartopu Melange Wool in Grey/100 g (3.5 oz)/170 m (185 yd)
1 skein of yarn – Kartopu Melange Wool in Light Grey/100 g (3.5 oz)/170 m (185 yd)
Worsted weight yarn/Aran weight yarn
Yarn weight: Medium 04
Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

The original yarn may no longer be widely available.

You can substitute any worsted/Aran-weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge.

Choose a soft, washable, baby-friendly fiber and avoid anything too fluffy or loosely spun.

Knitting Needles

Set of 4 mm (US 6) 16-inch circular needles.
Set of 5 mm (US 8) 16-inch circular needles.
You may also need a set of 5 mm (US 8) double-pointed needles for the decreases.
5 mm (US 8) Cable needle.

Notions

Tap e measu re
Darni ng needle/yarn needle
Scissors
Stitch markers

Other Tools

Pom-pom maker Clove r 2 – 1/2 inch Large.

Abbreviations

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

CO – Cast on
Cont – Continue(ing)
C2B – Cable 2 back – slip the next st onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K1, then K1 from the cable needle.
C4B – Cable 4 back – slip the next 2 sts onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K2, then K2 from the cable needle.
C6B – Cable 6 back – slip the next 3 sts onto a cable needle and hold at the back of the work, K3, then K3 from the cable needle.
C6F – cable 6 forward – slip the next 3 sts onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, K3, then K3 from the cable needle.
K – Knit
K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
M1 – Make one stitch
P – Purl
P2tog – Purl the next 2 stitches together
PM – Place marker
Rep – Repeat
St(s) – Stitch(es)

Pattern Instructions

Yarn A – Grey
Yarn B – Light Grey

Using 4 mm (US 6) 16″ circular needles and Yarn A, Cast on 62 sts, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.

Round 1: *K1, P1 – rep from * to end of the round.

Repeat round 1 until the brim of the hat measures 4 inches.

Change to 5 mm (US 8) 16″ circular needles.

Next round: *K5, M1, – rep from * to last 2sts, K1, M1, K1. (75 sts).

Change to Yarn B.

Round 1: *K9, P2, K2, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 2: *C6B, K3, P2, C2B, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 3: Rep round 1.
Round 4: *K9, P2, C2B, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 5: Rep round 1.
Round 6: *K3, C6F, P2, C2B, P2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 7: Rep round 1.
Round 8: Rep round 4.

Repeat Rounds 1–8 until the piece measures 8 inches from the cast-on edge, finishing after Round 8 before beginning the crown decreases.

Crown Decreases

You may need to change to 5 mm (US 8) double-pointed needles when there are too few stitches to work comfortably on the circular needles.

Round 1: *[K2tog, K1] 3 times, P2tog, K2, P2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round. (50 sts)

Round 2: *K6, P1, K2tog, P1; repeat from * to the end of the round. (45 sts)

Round 3: *K6, P1, K1, P1; repeat from * to the end of the round. (45 sts)

Round 4: *C4B, K2, P2tog, P1; repeat from * to the end of the round. (40 sts)

Round 5: *[K2tog, K1] twice, P2tog; repeat from * to the end of the round. (25 sts)

Round 6: *K2tog twice, P1; repeat from * to the end of the round. (15 sts)

Round 7: K2tog around to the final stitch, then K1. (8 sts)

Cut the yarn, leaving a tail of approximately 10 inches.

Thread the tail through the remaining 8 stitches, pull tightly to close the top, and secure it on the wrong side.

Weave in any remaining yarn ends.

Make a pom-pom using Yarn A and attach it securely to the top of the hat.

Free Printable Pattern

Would you like a printer-friendly copy to keep with your project?

Select the Print Pattern button on the pattern card below, enter your email address when prompted, and you’ll be able to print the pattern for free.

Yield: Baby hat

Cable Knit Baby Beanie

No Ratings

Knit a cozy cable baby beanie for ages 6–12 months with this intermediate-level pattern.

Worked in the round using worsted/Aran-weight yarn, the hat features a folded ribbed brim, a textured cable design, and a coordinating pom-pom.

Prep Time 10 minutes

Active Time 2 hours

Additional Time 10 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Difficulty Intermediate

Estimated Cost $10

Materials

1 skein of yarn - Kartopu Melange Wool in Grey/100 g (3.5 oz)/170 m (185 yd)
1 skein of yarn - Kartopu Melange Wool in Light Grey/100 g (3.5 oz)/170 m (185 yd)
Worsted weight yarn/Aran weight yarn
Yarn weight: Medium 04
The original yarn may no longer be widely available.
You can substitute any worsted/Aran-weight yarn that gives you the correct gauge.
Choose a soft, washable, baby-friendly fiber and avoid anything too fluffy or loosely spun.

Tools

Set of 4 mm (US 6) 16-inch circular needles.
Set of 5 mm (US 8) 16-inch circular needles.
You may also need a set of 5 mm (US 8) double-pointed needles for the decreases.
5 mm (US 8) Cable needle.
Tape measure
Darning needle/yarn needle
Scissors
Stitch markers
Pom-pom maker Clover 2 – 1/2 inch Large.

Instructions

Main Body Hat Instructions

Yarn A - Grey
Yarn B - Light Grey

Using 4 mm (US 6) 16" circular needles and Yarn A, Cast on 62 sts, join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist the sts.

Round 1: *K1, P1 - rep from * to end of the round.

Repeat round 1 until the brim of the hat measures 4 inches.

Change to 5 mm (US 8) 16" circular needles.

Next round: *K5, M1, - rep from * to last 2sts, K1, M1, K1. (75 sts).

Change to Yarn B.

Round 1: *K9, P2, K2, P2 - rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 2: *C6B, K3, P2, C2B, P2 - rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 3: Rep round 1.
Round 4: *K9, P2, C2B, P2 - rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 5: Rep round 1.
Round 6: *K3, C6F, P2, C2B, P2 - rep from * to the end of the round.
Round 7: Rep round 1.
Round 8: Rep round 4.