Cable Hat Free Knitting Pattern | The Bordeaux

In this blog post, I want to share a free cable hat free knitting pattern any intermediate knitter can make. 

This project is excellent for anyone who wants to make a super cozy hat this winter!

Made with The Wool from We Are Knitters, this cozy hat only uses one skein and knits up fast.

Not only it’s super cozy, but the beautiful cable stitch running on the body of the hat makes for a timeless design.

Scroll down to view the entire pattern, or grab the inexpensive, printer-friendly, ad-free PDF download here. 

Make Your Own Cable Knit Hat

The beanie hat is really cozy to wear during the coldest of days. 

Plus, making a hat is perfect for trying different cables and cable techniques if you don’t want to commit to a larger project. 

I wore this hat on a trip to the snowy mountains in Greece and was really happy with it.

It was warm, probably because it is chunky and made from 100% Peruvian wool. 

It’s a beautiful yarn for a cozy beanie and any winter project. 

More Hat Knitting Patterns

If you need a more beginner hat knitting pattern that’s easy to make and a quick knit, check out this hat pattern here – How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners (+ Video Tutorial)

Made with the stockinette stitch, this hat is perfect for practicing the basic knitting stitches. 

Plus, there is a video tutorial on my YouTube channel here to help you seam the hat. 

For more free patterns, please take a look at these posts to find many different styles you can make as a gift or for your personal use. 

• One Skein Knit Hat Pattern (Easy Quick Simple Cable)
• Chunky Knit Beanie Pattern (Super Quick Easy Hat)
• Easy Hat Pattern | The Alexia
• Free Slouchy Beanie Knitting Pattern | The Phoebe

Cable Knitting For Beginners

This is an excellent pattern for advanced beginners looking to knit their first cable project.

The hat is knit in the round; therefore, you should be comfortable knitting in the round before you start this pattern.

The cable stitch used in the pattern is C4F – Cable 4 forward.

The abbreviation used in this pattern is explained below:

• C4F – Cable 4 forward.
• Slip the next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work.
• Knit the next two stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the two stitches on the cable needle.

Cable Knitting FAQ

What does cable back mean in knitting?    

In knitting, “cable back” (often abbreviated as C4B) is a cable knitting technique used to create a twist in the knit fabric by moving stitches to the back of the work.

It’s one of the fundamental cable knitting techniques that adds texture and a unique look to your knitting projects.

What does cable forward mean in knitting?  

In knitting, “cable forward” (often abbreviated as C4F) is a cable knitting technique used to create a twist in the knit fabric by moving stitches to the front of the work. 

It’s one of the fundamental cable knitting techniques that adds texture and visual interest to your knitting projects.

Can you do a cable stitch without a cable needle?    

Yes, you can do a cable stitch without a cable needle; this technique is often called “cabling without a cable needle.” 

It’s a handy skill, especially when you want to work more efficiently or don’t have a cable needle. 

Can you knit a cable hat with straight needles?    

Yes, you can knit a cable hat with straight needles, although it may require additional techniques and adjustments compared to knitting a cable hat with circular needles or double-pointed needles (DPNs).

 When knitting a cable hat with straight needles, you’ll typically knit it flat in rows and then seam it together to shape the hat. 

The Yarn I Used – The Wool

This warm cabled hat was knit on size 15 mm (US 19) 16″ circular needles.

The yarn I used for the hat was The Wool in the colour Bordeaux from We Are Knitters.

This is 100% Peruvian wool; you only need one skein to make the hat, with a little leftover.

So, if you wanted to make and add a pom pom, you would have enough with one skein. 

It’s a great way to eliminate any leftovers. 

A great substitute would be the Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick And Quick.

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This pattern is for any advanced beginners or intermediate knitters.

• You should be comfortable casting on (how to cast on knitting) and casting off (how to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)), as well as knitting in garter stitch (how to knit garter stitch).
• You should be comfortable working the purl stitch (how to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)).
• You should be comfortable knitting in the round (how to join knitting in the round with circular knitting needles).
• You should be comfortable working cable stitches and using a cable needle.
• You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns (how to read knitting patterns for beginners).
• And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK).
• How to Knit – A Complete Beginner’s Guide

More Cable Knitting Patterns

For more knitting patterns featuring cable stitches, please take a look at these posts:

• Free Cable Mittens Knitting Pattern (Classic Knit)
• One Skein Knit Hat Pattern (Easy Quick Simple Cable)
• Cable Hat Free Knitting Pattern | The Cassandra
• Chunky Cable Knit Blanket Pattern
• Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers
• Cable Wrap Knitting Pattern (Outlander Claire)
• 30+ Free Cable Knitting Patterns

Cable Knit Hat Pattern

Get the ad-free, printable PDF pattern HERE.

Notes

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

Copyright Info

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

Skill Level – Intermediate.

Size – Women’s medium

Finished measurements – laying flat and unstretched = 18 inches circumference / 12 inches long.

Gauge – 4 inches/10 cm – 6 stitches / 10 rounds

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

• 1 skein of The Wool by We Are Knitters in the colour Bordeaux (This is 100% Peruvian wool, 200g per 80m).
• Use my code – MGM4VHHAT – for 10 off on your WAK yarn order.
• Jumbo yarn.
• Yarn Weight Guide (+ Conversion Chart)

Needles

• 15 mm (US 19) 16″ circular knitting needles
• Cable needle
• Please note – you may have to change your needles for the decreases of the hat if working on the circulars becomes too tight.
• This would mean using a set of size 15 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs).
• If you do not have those, you could use a 60cm/24″ cable and use the magic loop technique. (View Tutorial – Magic loop knitting | step by step)

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List

• CO = Cast on
• C4F = Cable 4 forward (Slip the next two stitches onto a cable needle and hold at the front of the work. Knit the next two stitches from the left-hand needle and then knit the two stitches on the cable needle)
• CN = Cable needle
• K = Knit
• K2tog = Knit the next 2 stitches together
• P = Purl
• PM = Place marker
• P2tog = Purl the next 2 stitches together
• Rep = Repeat
• Rnd(s) = Round(s)
• Sl = Slip one (or more) stitch(es)
• St(s) = Stitch(es)

Pattern Instructions

With 15 mm (US 19) circular needles: CO 36 sts – join in the round and pm, careful not to twist sts.

1st round: K1, P1 to the end of the round.

Cont to K1, P1 (1×1 ribbing) for another 5 rounds.

Start the cable rounds as follows:

1. 1st round: *P2, K4, rep from * to the end of the round.
2. 2nd round: *P2, K4, rep from * to the end of the round.
3. 3rd round: *P2, C4F, rep from * to the end of the round.
4. 4th round: *P2, K4, rep from * to the end of the round.

Rep the 4 rounds above until the hat measures 8.5 inches from the co edge.

End on round 2 of the pattern – ready for round 3.

Decrease:

1. 1st round: *P2, sl 2 sts to CN, hold in front of work, K2tog, K2 from CN, rep from * to the end of the round.
2. 2nd round: *P2, K3, rep from * to the end of the round.
3. 3rd round: *P2, sl 2 sts onto CN, K1, K2 sts from CN, rep from * to the end of the round.
4. 4th round: *P2, K3, rep from * to the end of the round. 
5. 5th round: *P2tog, sl 1st st to CN, hold in front of work, K2tog, then K1 from CN, rep from * to the end of the round.
6. 6th round: *P1, K2, rep from * to the end of the round.
7. 7th round: *P1, K2tog, rep from * to the end of the round. 
8. 8th round: *P1, K1, rep from * to the end of the round. 
9. 9th round: *K2tog, rep from * to the end of the round. 

Cut yarn and thread through the rem sts, pull up to close and secure.

Weave in all loose ends.

Share your work with us…

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making the cable pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

View our Facebook page or share your work in the Facebook group here. 

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!