This cable hat pattern is an excellent project for anyone who is learning how to knit cables.
I wanted to share with you a warm, cosy knitted hat that has been knit with one of my favourite yarns – The Petite Wool from We Are Knitters.
Add a pom-pom made from yarn to the top of the hat or a faux fur pom pom.
An Intermediate Level Knitting Pattern
This is an intermediate level pattern and the techniques you will need to know are knit, purl, k2tog, cable stitches and knitting in the round.
Using mainly knit and purl stitches, it will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.
If you have never knit in the round before you can watch my video tutorial here.
*Please scroll down to see the free pattern*
The Cable Forward Knit Stitch
This pattern is for advanced beginners or intermediate knitters, as the cable stitch shown in the hat pattern is a great beginner cable for anyone who has not worked cables before.
The cable stitch used in this pattern is C4F – Cable four forward.
A tip for remembering which way a cable will twist, either to the front or the back of the work is to think of this;
- The RIGHT way – these stitches are held behind – C4B
- The LEFT way – these stitches are held in the front – C4F
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.
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any intermediate knitters.
- You should be comfortable casting on and casting off, as well as knitting in garter stitch.
- You should be comfortable working the purl stitch.
- You should be comfortable knitting in the round.
- You should be comfortable working cable stitches and using a cable needle.
- You should also be comfortable reading knitting patterns.
- And understanding knitting abbreviations and terms.
More Cable Knitting Patterns
For more patterns featuring cables please take a look at these posts:
- Cable Knit Mittens Pattern
- Cable Knit Hat Pattern
- Cable Hat Pattern – The Bordeaux
- Chunky Cable Knit Blanket Pattern
- Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers
- Cable Wrap Knitting Pattern
Cable Hat Pattern
Get the ad-free, printable PDF pattern HERE.
Notes
The hat knits up quickly and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
- 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 the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- For the copyright T&C’s please read my Terms of Use.
Skill Level – Intermediate.
Size – Women’s medium
Finished measurements – laying flat and unstretched = 18 inches circumference / 9 inches long w/out pom.
Gauge – 16 sts and 20 rounds in 4 inches.
Yarn
- 1 skein of The Petite Wool in the colour Spotted Grey – by We Are Knitters.
- Bulky/Chunky/12 Ply Weight Yarn.
- Yarn weight guide
Needles
- 8mm (US 11) 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 8mm double-pointed needles (DPNs).
- If you do not have those, you could use a 60cm/24″ cable and use the magic loop technique.
Notions
Other Materials
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations 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 next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- PM – Place marker
- P2tog – Purl next 2 stitches together
- Rep = Repeat
- Rnd(s) = Round(s)
- Sl – Slip one (or more) stitch(es)
- St(s) = Stitch(es)
Pattern
With 8 mm (US 11) 16″ circular needles: CO 60 sts – join in the round and pm, being careful not to twist sts.
1st Round – K1, P1 – rep to the end of the round.
Cont to work in K1, P1 rib (1 x 1 ribbing) every round for 2 inches.
- Round 1 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 2 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 3 – *P2, C4F – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 4 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 5 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
Rep rounds 1-5 until the hat measures 7 inches from the cast-on edge (End on round 2).
Decrease:
- Round 1 – *P2, sl next 2 sts onto the CN and hold in front of the work, K2tog, then K2 from CN – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 2 – *P2, K3 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 3 – *P2, K3 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 4 – *P2, K3 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 5 – *P2, sl next st onto the CN and hold in front of the work, K2tog, then K1 from CN – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 6 – *P2, K2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 7 – *P2tog, K2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 8 – *P1, K2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 9 – *P1, K2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 10 – *P1, K1 – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 11 – *K2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
- Round 12 – Knit.
Cut yarn and thread through the rem sts, pull up to close and secure.
Weave in all loose ends.
Attach the pom pom (either made from yarn or faux fur).
I love seeing your finished projects!
If you enjoyed making the pattern, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook page and share a photo! I’d love to see your work!
Viola says
Good morning from Toronto.
I just received your email for the CABLE KNIT HAT pattern and love the look.
In your pattern, though, you state the Petite Wool yarn is a Bulky/Chunky/12 Ply Weight Yarn.
On doing a search for the yarn you used, their website gives the following information:
The Petite Wool in the colour Spotted Grey – by We Are Knitters.
+/-100 GR. PER +/-140 M. IN EACH BALL. WEIGHT: WORSTED / ARAN
I’m really interested in knitting this cable hat and in my stash I have #5 which is a bulky yarn.
Can you please confirm which yarn is correct to use ?
FYI…love your emails and patterns you share and save them all !! Thank you.
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Vicky,
Their recommended needle size for that yarn is 8mm (US 11).
This yarn can be knit with a number of needle sizes, sometimes I use 6mm (US 10) or 8mm (US 11) depending on the project.
So any yarn that can be paired with 8mm (US 11) needles will work well with this hat pattern.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Sarah says
Hi there! If I was wanting to make this wider, would I increase length by six stitches at a time? I’m not sure how to figure out if that’ll work with the decrease pattern or not. Thank you!!
Louise Bollanos says
Hello Sarah,
Increasing by 6 sts should work out because the cable pattern uses a P2, K4 repeat.
Then you would just follow the same decreases.
I hope that helps!
Louise