Easy Cable Knit Hat Pattern for First Time Cable Knitters

Learn how to make a classic cable knit hat with this free pattern and step-by-step tutorial. It’s one of the easiest cable knit hat patterns, making it perfect for your first cable knitting project. You can view the pattern completely free on this page, or you can buy the ad-free, printable PDF from our shop.

UPDATED: FEBRUARY 24, 2025 BY BRITTANY
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Skill Level | Intermediate
Finished Size | Newborn, Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small, Adult Large

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This has been my go-to cable knit hat pattern for years. It’s incredibly stretchy so the fit is perfect every time. Add a pom for a little extra something, incorporate colorful yarn, or keep it a solid color that’ll go with just about anything.

Either way, this beautiful cable hat pattern can easily become your new go-to, everyday knit hat pattern for making gifts, donating to charity, or keeping it for yourself!

About this Pattern

If you’re eager to try cable knitting for one of your first projects, this is a great place to begin. Cables might seem tricky at first, but they get easier as you go. This pattern has a six-stitch twist, a classic cable that’s simple to learn.

For the blue hat you see in the pictures, I used Malabrigo Washted yarn in the color called “azules”, and the tan hat is Malabrigo Worsted “simply taupe”. This yarn has a wonderful feel, and its smooth stitch definition makes it perfect for showing off the beautiful cables.

This pattern works well with lots of medium-weight yarns. For the best look, pick a yarn that’s smooth or just a little textured so the cables stand out. You’ve got plenty of options to make it your own! Just be sure you use a medium-weight (#4) yarn you like—just be sure to check your gauge. If it’s off, adjust your needle size to match gauge.

Abbreviations

• C2F Cable 2 Front**
• C6F Cable 6 Front**
• C6Ftog Cable 6 Front Together**
• C4Ftog Cab le 4 Front Together**
• K2tog Knit 2 Together
• K Knit
• K2tog Knit Two Together
• P Purl
• P2tog Purl 2 Together
• Rep Repeat
• St(s) Stitches

**Cable 2 Front (C2F): Slip the next stitch onto the cable needle, and hold at the front of the work. Knit the next stitch. Then knit the stitch from the cable needle.

**Cable 6 Front (C6F): Slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work. Knit next 3 stitches. Knit 3 stitches from cable needle.

**Cable 6 Front Together (C6Ftog): Slip next 3 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work. Knit next st. K2tog. From cable needle stitches, SSK. K last.

**Cable 4 Front Together (C4Ftog): Slip next 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold at front of work. K2tog. From cable needle stitches, SSK.

Pattern Notes

This hat is worked from the band up to the crown. You’ll start with the smaller circular needles to knit the band, then switch to the larger circular needles to knit the hat sides and crown to ensure a comfortable and stretchy fit.

When the crown stitches are too few to knit comfortably on the 16” circular needles, switch to the same size double-pointed needles (evenly distributing the stitches among them), or switch to a 32” or larger circular needle of the same size to knit magic loop.

This pattern includes 6 sizes: Newborn, Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small, and. Adult Large. You’ll see them written in the

pattern like this: Newborn(Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult Small, Adult Large)

To determine which size to make: measure the circumference of your head with a tape measure resting in the center of your forehead. Then use the sizing chart below to determine which size to make.

For more details on hat sizing, and making a hat that fits perfectly, check out our hat sizing guide here.

Easy Cable Knit Hat Sizing Chart

Gauge: 10 stitches and 14 rounds = 2″ worked stockinette stitch in the round.

Easy Cable Knit Hat Pattern Instructions

Hat Band

Using the smaller of the two needle sizes, CO 72(80, 96, 104, 112, 120).

Round 1: Join to knit in the round. *K2, P2. Rep from * to the end of the round.

Round 2: *K2, P2. Rep from * to the end of the round.

Repeat: Rep the last round 4(6, 6, 7, 8, 10) more times.

Hat Sides

As you knit the first round of the hat body, switch to the larger of the two needle sizes.

Crown Decreases

Switch to double pointed needles, or a longer circular (for magic loop) needle when the stitches no longer fit around your 16” circulars.

Round 1: *C6Ftog. P2. Rep from * to the end of the round. [54(60, 72, 78, 84, 90)sts].

Rounds 2-6: *K4, P2. Rep from * to the end of the round.

Round 7: *C4Ftog. P2. Rep from * to the end of the round. [36(40, 48, 52, 56, 60) sts].

Rounds 8-10: *K2. P2. Rep from * to the end of the round.

Round 11: *C2F. P2. Rep from * to the end of the round.

A digital pattern is available in our shop so you can print out the pattern

Buy the digital pattern here!

Round 12: *K2. P2. Rep from * to the end of the round.

Round 13: *K2. P2tog. Rep from * to the end of the round. [27(30, 36, 39, 42, 45) sts].

Round 14: *SSK. P1. Rep from * to the end of the round. [18(20, 24, 26, 28, 30) sts].

Round 15: *SSK. P1. Rep from * to the end of the round. [9(10, 12, 13, 14, 15) sts].

Newborn Size Only: Continue to the finishing instructions.

Round 16 Baby, Toddler, & Adult Small Size Only: *K2tog. Rep from * to the end of the round. [N/A(5, 6, N/A, 7, N/A) sts].

Baby, Toddler, and Adult Small Size Only: Continue to the finishing instructions.

Round 16 Child Size Only: [K3tog] three times. Then K2tog. (7 sts) Continue to the finishing instructions.

Round 16 Adult Large Size Only: [K3tog. K2tog] Three times. (9 sts) Continue to the finishing instructions.