This hat was built around cables. Since I learned how to cable without a cable needle, I have really enjoyed knitting them. I wanted to try designing a hat from the top down using cables.

So I cast on stitches and started knitting. Four stitch cables are easy to do without a cable needle, so that was the designated size, and when I had enough stitches I added cables. I continued them in a spiraling effect for the rest of the hat. 

I used Louet Gems 100% Merino Wool Bulky/Chunky Weight. I had been admiring the wonderful colors of this yarn for several month and this seemed to be the perfect opportunity to create something with it.

SIZE
One

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference: 18 inches, stretches to fit 23 inches.
Length: 9 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
Louet Gems Chunky Weight [100% Merino Wool; 94yd/85m per 100g skein]
[MC] #42 Eggplant, 1 skein
[CC] #65 Golden Rod, 1 skein

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 16-inch US #10/6 mm circular needle
1 set US #10/6 mm double-point needles
OR
1 longer US #10/6 mm circular needle for magic loop method

Notions
Yarn needle
Cable needle

GAUGE
16 sts/22 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch in the round
22 sts/24 rows = 4 inches in pattern stitch in the round

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

C4F: Sl 2 sts onto cn and hold to front, knit 2 sts, knit 2 sts from cn.

Cabling Without a Cable Needle for C4F: Slip 2 stitches to RH needle, knit the next 2 stitches on the LH needle. With the LH needle in front of work slip it into the 2 stitches that were slipped (these will be the 3rd and 4th stitches in from the point of the RH needle). Pinch the yarn under the 2 knitted stitches (these will be the 1st and 2nd stitches on the LH needle, the pinching keeps them from coming undone). Pull the RH needle out of all 4 sts and sl the 2 knitted sts back on the RH needle. This puts the 2 original slipped stitches back on the LH needle, ready to be worked.  Finally, knit these 2 sts.

More information on Cabling Without a Cable Needle can be found here and here.

Instructions for Elizabeth Zimmermann's Sewn Bind Off can be found here.

RLI-K (Right Lifted Increase): Use the right needle to pick up the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle. Place it on the left needle, then knit into it. 1 stitch has been increased.

LLI-K (Left Lifted Increase): Use the left needle to pick up the back of the stitch 2 below stitch just knitted, then knit into it. 1 stitch has been increased.

RLI-P (Right Lifted Increase): Use the right needle to pick up the stitch below the next stitch on the left needle. Place it on the left needle, then purl into it. 1 stitch has been increased.

LLI-P (Left Lifted Increase): Use the left needle to pick up the back of the stitch 2 below stitch just knitted, then purl into it. 1 stitch has been increased.

Cable Pattern:
Round 1: [[K4, p2] 3 times, C4F, p2] to end of rnd.
Round 2 and all even rounds: [K4, p2] to end of rnd.
Round 3: [[K4, p2] twice, C4F, p2, k4, p2] to end of rnd.
Round 5: [K4, p2, C4F, p2, [k4, p2] twice] to end of rnd.
Round 7: [C4F, p2, [k4, p2] 3 times] to end of rnd.

Increasing the size of the hat:
If you wish to make a bigger hat you may add more purl stitches in the same manner as Rounds 19 & 21

DIRECTIONS

Round 1: Kfb to end of round. 16 sts.

Round 2: Knit.

Round 3: [K4, LLI-P, RLI-P] to end of rnd. [24 sts].

Round 4: [C4F, p2] to end of round.

Round 5: [K4, p1, LLI-K, RLI-K, p1] to end of rnd. [32 sts].

Round 6: [K4, p1, k2, p1] to end of rnd.

Round 7: [K4, p1, k1, LLI-K, RLI-K, k1, p1] to end of rnd. [40 sts].

Round 8: [K4, p1, C4F, p1] to end of rnd.

Round 9: [K4, RLI-P, p1] to end of rnd. [48 sts].

Round 10: [K4, p2] to end of rnd.

Join MC here and work with both colors as indicated.

Round 11: [(K4, p1) with CC, RLI-K MC, p1 CC] to end of rnd. [56 sts]

From here, all new sts will be worked with MC, old sts will switch to MC after a cable rnd.

Round 12: [(C4F, p1) with CC, k1 MC, (p1, k4, p1) with CC, k1 MC, p1 CC] to end of rnd.

Round 13: [K4 MC, p1 CC, (RLI-K, k1) with MC, (p1, k4, p1) with CC, (RLI-K, k1) with MC, p1 CC] to end of rnd. [64 sts]
Round 14: [K4 MC, p1 CC, k2 MC, (p1, K4, p1) with CC, k2 MC, p1 CC] to end of rnd.
Round 15: [K4 MC, p1 CC, (k1, RLI-K, k1) with MC, (p1, k4, p1) with CC, (k1, RLI-K, k1) with MC, p1 CC] to end of rnd. [72 sts].
Round 16: [K4 MC, p1 CC, k3 MC, (p1, C4F, p1) with CC, k3 MC, p1 CC] to end.

Cut CC, and continue only in MC from here.
Round 17: [K4, p1, k1, RLI-K, k2, p1] to end of rnd. [80 sts].
Round 18: [K4, p1, C4F, p1, [k4, p1] twice] to end of rnd.
Round 19: [K4, RLI-P, p1, k4, p1] to end of rnd. [88 sts].
Round 20:  [C4F, p2, k4, p1, k4, p2, k4, p1] to end of rnd.
Round 21: [K4, p2, k4, RLI-P, p1] to end of rnd. [96 sts].

Hat Body
Work Cable Pattern 3 times or until hat is half an inch short of desired finished length.
Cut MC and rejoin CC.

Ribbing round: [K1, p1] to end.
Repeat Ribbing round once more.

Bind off using Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Sewn Bind Off.

FINISHING
Weave in all loose ends.

Jennifer Wood designs for Wood House Knits. She taught herself to knit 10 years ago and loved it so much she began designing her own patterns. It has been wonderful outlet for her creative energy. She has an absolutely wonderful  husband, three amazing children, a fine son-in-law, and two bad dogs.

Recently, she began selling her patterns through her business Wood House Knits. Her patterns can be found on her website, through woodhouseknits.etsy.com and on Ravelry under woodhouseknits.