Rustic Cables

Rustic Cables
by Alana Dakos

When my Dad and Brother needed hats to wear on a camping trip, I came up with this fast, fun to knit hat pattern. The staggered cables twist in opposite direction keeping you on your “knitting toes” while the tweedy yarn provides the masculinity I was looking for in this hat. The finished result is a close fitting, warm hat with a brim that can be folded up or left down depending on the wearer’s preference.

SIZE:
One (Adult Large) 22-24 inch circumference, approx 9 inches in length.

MATERIALS:
(Brown Hat) : Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran [85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere; 104 yd/95m per 50g skein]; color #136; #2 skeins
(Gray Hat) : Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran [85% Merino Wool, 10% Silk, 5% Cashmere; 104 yd/95m per 50g skein]; color #155; #2 skeins
#1 set US #8/5mm double-point needles
#1 16-inch US #8/5mm circular needle

Cable Needle

Stitch Markers

Tapestry Needle

GAUGE:
16 sts/24 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch


PATTERN NOTES:
4x4 rib (Worked over a multiple of 8 sts)
Round 1: [K4, p4] to end.
Every round is the same.

PATTERN:
Cast on 96 sts. Place marker to mark the beginning of a round and join being careful not to twist your stitches. Work 14 rounds in 4x4 rib.

Cable Pattern:
Round 1: (k4, p4, sl 2 sts to cable needle purlwise and hold in front of work. K2, k2 from cable needle, p4) repeat to marker.
Rounds 2-5: work in 4x4 rib
Round 6: (sl 2 sts to cable needle purlwise and hold in back of work. K2, k2 from cable needle, p4,k4, p4) repeat to marker.
Rounds 7-10: work in 4x4 rib

Rounds 11-36 Repeat Cable pattern 2 more times and then rounds 1-6 one more time. Hat should measure approx 7.5 inches from cast on edge.

Begin decreasing rounds. Switch to double pointed needles when your hat no longer fits comfortably around the circular needle.

Decreasing Rounds:
Round 37: (k4, p1, p2tog, p1) repeat around
Round 38: (k4, p2tog, p1) repeat around
Round 39: (k1, k2tog, k1, p2) repeat around
Round 40: (k2tog, k1, p2) repeat around
Round 41: (k2, p2tog) repeat around
Round 42: (k2tog, p1) repeat around
Round 43 (k2tog) repeat around

FINISHING:
Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle and pull through the remaining stitches sliding them off of the double pointed needles as you go. Cinch up tightly and weave in ends. Block as desired.

Thankyou to my Dad and Brother for modeling their new hats for me.