Cable Hat Free Knitting Pattern | The Cassandra

This cable hat free knitting pattern is an excellent project for anyone learning to knit cables.

I wanted to share a warm cabled hat that has been knit with one of my go-to yarns – The Petite Wool from We Are Knitters.

I love cable knit hat patterns, and this one is made with one of my favorite cables. 

Scroll down to view the free cable hat knitting pattern, or grab the inexpensive, printer-friendly, ad-free PDF here.

How Do You Knit A Perfect Cable?  

A cable stitch creates a timeless design that will make any knitted item you want to make not only unique but also very interesting to knit. 

Unfortunately, cable knitting can be intimidating even to an experienced knitter, so if you are embarking on your first cable project, I have some tips and advice to help you create flawless cable stitches. 

1. Use the Right Tools:

Choose the appropriate knitting needles and yarn for your project. The needle size should match the yarn weight to ensure even tension.

2. Understand Cable Notation:

Cable stitch patterns are typically written in a specific notation, such as “C4B” (Cable 4 Back) or “C4F” (Cable 4 Front). Understand these notations to know how to cross stitches.

3. Practice on a Swatch:

Before working on your main project, practice the cable pattern on a small swatch. This is a great way to get comfortable with the cable technique without risking mistakes on your final piece.

4. Use a Cable Needle:

Invest in a cable needle or cable hook. These tools help you hold the stitches while you cross them, making the process smoother.

5. Maintain Consistent Tension:

Keep your tension even while cable knitting. Avoid pulling the yarn too tightly or leaving it too loose when crossing stitches to maintain a uniform look.

6. Count Your Stitches:

Pay close attention to your stitch count before and after each cable twist to ensure you haven’t dropped or added any stitches accidentally.

7. Block Your Work:

After completing your project, block it. Blocking helps even out your stitches and enhances the appearance of your cables.

8. Read the Pattern Thoroughly:

Carefully read the cable pattern instructions before you start. Understand where and how the cable twists occur and any special instructions for the specific cable pattern you’re using.

9. Use Stitch Markers:

Place stitch markers before and after the cable section to help you keep track of where the cable should be worked.

10. Keep a Cable Needle Size Reference:

If you’re working on a project with multiple cable sizes, keep a reference guide or notes on which cable needle size to use for each cable twist. Different sizes can create varying effects.

11. Be Patient:

Cable knitting can be slower than regular knitting because of the extra steps involved. Take your time, especially when crossing stitches, to avoid mistakes.

12. Fixing Mistakes:

If you make a mistake in your cable pattern, don’t panic. You can often undo a few stitches and correct it. 

Alternatively, use a crochet hook to fix individual cables without unraveling your entire work. The crochet hook size depends on the size of the needles and the yarn weight.

 For example, if you are using a super bulky yarn, you might consider using a US-size P or Q crochet hook; if you are knitting with thinner yarn, you will need a smaller hook. 

13. Practice and Experiment:

Practice is key to mastering cable knitting. Create small swatches with different cable patterns to expand your skills and experiment with different cable stitches.

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 will also introduce you to decreasing and shaping.

Add a pom-pom made from yarn to the top of the hat or a faux fur pom-pom.

If you have never knit in the round before, you can watch my video tutorial here.

The Cable Forward Knit Stitch

This is a great pattern for advanced beginners or intermediate knitters, as the cable stitch shown in the hat pattern is a perfect beginner cable for anyone who is working cables for the first time.

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.

• Knitting cast-on methods.
• Knitting Lessons
• How to cast on knitting.
• How to cast off knitting.
• How to knit the garter stitch.
• How to knit the purl stitch.
• How to knit stockinette stitch.
• How to read knitting patterns.
• Knitting abbreviations and terms. 
• How to knit rib stitch.
• How to knit in the round.

More Cable Knitting Patterns

For more free 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.

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 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 / 9 inches long w/out pom.

Gauge – 16 sts and 20 rounds in 4 inches.

The Supplies You Need…

Yarn

• 1 skein of The Petite Wool in the colour Spotted Grey – by We Are Knitters.
• Bulky/Chunky/12 Ply Weight Yarn.
• Use my code – MGM4VHHAT – for 10 off on your WAK yarn order.
• Yarn weight guide

Needles

• 8 mm (US 11) 16″ circular knitting needles
• Cable needle
• Please note – you may have to change your needles for the decrease of the hat if working on the circulars becomes too tight.
• This would mean using a set of size 8 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs).
• If you do not have those, you could use a 60cm/24″ cable and use the magic loop technique.

Notions

• Tape measure
• Darning needle
• Scissors
• Stitch markers

Other Materials

• Faux fur pom pom

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 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)

Free Knitting 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.

The main body of the hat:

1. Round 1 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
2. Round 2 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
3. Round 3 – *P2, C4F – rep from * to the end of the round.
4. Round 4 – *P2, K4 – rep from * to the end of the round.
5. 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:

1. 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.
2. Round 2 – *P2, K3 – rep from * to the end of the round.
3. Round 3 – *P2, K3 – rep from * to the end of the round.
4. Round 4 – *P2, K3 – rep from * to the end of the round.
5. 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.
6. Round 6 – *P2, K2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
7. Round 7 – *P2tog, K2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
8. Round 8 – *P1, K2 – rep from * to the end of the round.
9. Round 9 – *P1, K2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
10. Round 10 – *P1, K1 – rep from * to the end of the round.
11. Round 11 – *K2tog – rep from * to the end of the round.
12. 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).

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I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!