Rope Cable Beanie
Six-stitch rope cables that run into the crown. The rib brim flows straight into the cable columns.
- Yarn
- Worsted (4) or Aran (4) in a solid or light heather.
- Needles
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circular and DPNs; cable needle
- Sizes
- Any size from preemie to adult large. Use the Finished hat and Height columns of the hat size chart. Example: adult medium.
- Example gauge
- 22 sts and 28 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in the cable pattern
- Yarn needed
- About 205 yd (190 m) worsted for adult medium (cables use about 25% more).
- Stitch multiple
- 9
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on | finished hat circumference × sts per in (cable gauge), rounded to a multiple of 9 | 21.5 × 5.5 = 118.25 → 117 sts (13 cables) | Cast-On Calculator |
| Start crown at | hat height − 1.5 in (the 10 crown rounds) | 8.5 − 1.5 = 7 in | Size Charts |
Materials
- Worsted (4) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16 in (40 cm) circular and DPNs; cable needle
- Marker
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Swatch 2–3 repeats in the round. Cables pull in, so plain stockinette gauge won’t work here.
Instructions
Brim
Cast on (example: 117 sts). Join. Rnd 1: *P3, k6; rep from * to end. Repeat for 1.5 in (4 cm).
Cables
C6F: slip 3 to cable needle, hold in front, k3, k3 from cable needle.
Rnds 1–7: *P3, k6; rep from * to end.
Rnd 8: *P3, C6F; rep from * to end.
Repeat rnds 1–8 until the hat reaches the “start crown at” height, ending after a rnd 8 (or a rnd 4 for shorter ropes at the crown).
Crown
Rnd 1: *P1, p2tog, k6; rep from *. (8 sts per repeat)
Rnd 2 and every even rnd: Knit the knits and purl the purls.
Rnd 3: *P2tog, k6; rep from *. (7)
Rnd 5: *P1, k2tog, k2, ssk; rep from *. (5)
Rnd 7: *P1, k2tog, ssk; rep from *. (3)
Rnd 9: *P1, k2tog; rep from *. (2)
Rnd 10: *K2tog; rep from *. (1)
Finishing
- Draw yarn through remaining sts and fasten off.
- Block lightly; don’t flatten the cables.
Designer’s notes
- End the body after a rnd 8 cross if you want the ropes to finish crisply at the crown.
- Child size: 19 × 5.5 = 104.5 → 108 sts (12 cables).
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rounds 1–8 (cross on 8). Counter 2: repeats.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Want it on paper? This pattern is in Winter Warmers pattern collection, a printable PDF of 12 patterns with photos and row tallies ($8).
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.