Here is the latest in the free knitting patterns on offer – and a cable beanie I have been in development of for a while. A fair few friends are running about with one of these. It’s a super simple cable beanie – perfect for knitting quickly, or to learn braided cables with.

This comes in one size currently – but you can easily add stitches to make it larger – Make sure these are in multiples of 4 when you add them though to make the rib pattern work out.

You will need:
– 4mm circular knitting needles
– DK yarn – I used just under 100gms
– Cable needle
– 2 stitch markers
– Darning needle and scissors

Cast on 100 stitches. Join these in the round.

Ribbing – Knit 2, Purl 2 – repeat these stitches over a total of 20 rows.

Set up your cable – place a stitch marker at the start of the row. Count 10 stitches and place another marker here. Your braided cable will be in this section.

Knitting the first rows of the hat proper – (this first section is the 10 stitches between your stitch markers) purl 2, knit 6, purl 2. Then knit the following 90 stitches. Repeat this row for row 2.

Cable section:

Knitting the main part of the hat is a breeze. You will repeat this pattern 8 times to get the braid up the side of the hat.
Row A: Slip marker, purl 2, place 2 stitches on your cable needle, and hold them to the front, knit 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches off your cable needle, knit 2, purl 2, slip marker, knit 90 (or more easily explained as knit to the next marker)
Row B: Slip marker, purl 2, knit 6, purl 2, slip marker, knit 90
Row C: Slip marker, purl 2, knit 2, place 2 stitches on your cable needle, and hold them to the back, knit 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches off your cable needle, purl 2, slip marker, knit 90 (or more easily explained as knit to the next marker)
Row D: Slip marker, purl 2, knit 6, purl 2, slip marker, knit 90

When you have completed these 4 rows 8 times, complete row A one more time.

Shaping the top of your hat.

This section will bring the hat in to the top.

Decrease row 1: Slip marker, Purl 2, knit 6, purl 2, slip marker, (knit 3, k2tog). Repeat bracketed section to the end of row.
Decrease row 2: Slip marker, Purl 2, knit 2, place 2 stitches on your cable needle, and hold them to the back, knit 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches off your cable needle, purl 2, slip marker, knit to the end of row.
Decrease row 3: Slip marker, P2tog, knit 6, p2tog, slip marker, (k2, k2tog). Repeat bracketed section to the end of row.
Decrease row 4: Slip marker, Purl 1, place 2 stitches on your cable needle, and hold them to the front, knit 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches off your cable needle, knit 2, purl 1, slip marker, knit to the end of the row.
Decrease row 5: Slip marker, Purl 1, knit 6, purl 1, (k1, k2tog). Repeat bracketed section to the end of row.
Decrease row 6: Slip marker, Purl 1, knit 2, knit 2, place 2 stitches on your cable needle, and hold them to the back, knit 2 stitches, knit the 2 stitches off your cable needle, p1, knit to the end of row.
Decrease row 7: Slip marker, Purl 1, k2tog, K2tog, k2tog, purl 1, (k2tog). Repeat bracketed section to the end of row.
Decrease row 8: Slip marker, Purl 1, place 1 stitch on your cable needle, hold it to the front, knit 1 stitch, knit the stitch off your cable needle, k1, p1, slip marker, knit to the end of the row.
Decrease row 9: Remove markers, K2tog over whole row

Cut the yarn with a 20cm tail remaining. Slip all remaining stitches onto the yarn, pull to tighten. Fasten the top of the hat with a few stitches through the top, and add a pom pom if you wish. Darn in your yarn tails

You can wear this beanie with the brim folded up, or pulled down over your ears for warmth.