Hats are more aptly described as an art rather than a science. For this reason, I think of hat patterns as suggested guidelines rather than a formula to be followed without question. The finished object will be the result of several factors including the yarn selected for the project as well as the tension/gauge and style of the individual crocheter.
This hat contains 12 small crochet cables and is worked in the round. Beyond the basic structure, it can be completed with or without a folded brim, and can be adjusted to be taller or shorter, as desired. Particularly as you reach rounds 25 and 26, you may wish to adjust according to your vision of the finished object. The same applies to the ribbing rounds that finish the hat. Most importantly, enjoy the process and be creative.
Crochet Cable Hat Instructions
Hook: I (5.5mm)
Yarn: “4” / worsted weight
Adult medium; one size fits most. (If you wish to make a larger hat, increase the size of the hook.)
Gauge: First 3 rounds of pattern = approximately 2 inches. Adjust gauge as necessary by changing to a larger or smaller hook.
Hat is worked in the round using:
sc (single crochet)
dc (double crochet)
fpdc (front-post double crochet)
sl st (slip stitch, to join)
Note: Repeat instructions between * and * to construct cable pattern.
Round 1: Ch 2. Work 6 sc in 2nd chain from hook. Sl st to first sc st.
Round 2: Ch 2 (Does not count as a st). 2 dc in each st of previous round. Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (12 sts)
Round 3: Ch 2. 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. *2 dc in next st. 1 dc in next st, and 1 fpdc around that same st. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts.* 2 dc in next st. 1 dc in final st of round. Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (18 sts)
Round 4: Ch 2. Skip first fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of the next 2 fpdc sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. (This creates the first twist of the cables.) *In next st, work 2 dc (mark this stitch if desired--you will work this stitch again). Work 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to marked st and work 1 fpdc around it.* Work 2 dc in final stitch of round. Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (30 sts)
Round 5: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 2 dc in each of next 2 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (42 sts)Notes: You may have to move the third fpdc stitch out of the way in order to work the first two fpdc stitches of each cable. The increases in this round will make room for additional cables in future rounds.
Round 6: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. Work 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in next st, and 1 fpdc around the same st. Work 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Work 1 dc in next st. *Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (48 sts)
Round 7: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 2 dc sts in next st.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (60 sts)
Round 8: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in next st. Work 2 dc sts in next st.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (72 sts)
Round 9: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 2 dc sts in next st. Work 1 dc in next st. Work 2 dc sts in next st.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (96 sts)
Round 10: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in each of next 5 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (96 sts)
Round 11: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 dc in each of next 5 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (96 sts)
Round 12: Repeat Round 10.
Round 13: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 dc in next st. Dc 2 together over next 2 sts. Work 1 dc in each of next 2 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (84 sts)
Round 14: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in each of next 4 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (84 sts)
Round 15: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 dc in each of next 4 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (84 sts)
Round 16-19: Repeat Rounds 14 and 15. (Note: the even rounds have the “twisted” sts; the odd rounds have the “straight” sts.)
Round 20: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in next st. Dc 2 tog over next 2 sts. Work 1 dc in next st. Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in each of next 4 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (78 sts)
Round 21: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 dc in each of next 3 sts. Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 dc in each of next 4 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (78 sts)
Round 22: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in each of next 3 sts. Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in next st. Dc 2 tog over next 2 sts. Work 1 dc in next st. * Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (72 sts)Round 23: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 dc in each of next 3 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (72 sts)
Round 24: Ch 2. *Skip next fpdc. 1 fpdc around each of next 2 sts. Return to skipped fpdc and work 1 fpdc around st. Work 1 dc in each of next 3 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (72 sts)
Rounds 25 and 26: Repeat Rounds 23 and 24. (Use your judgment here. Different yarns work up in their own way, coupled with each individual crocheters’ tension or gauge. You may wish to skip to Round 27 instead of repeating.)
Round 27: Ch 2. *Work 1 fpdc around each of next 3 sts. Work 1 bpdc, 1 fpdc and 1 bpdc around next 3 sts.* Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (72 sts)
Round 28: *Work 1 fpdc around st of previous round. Work 1 bpdc around next st. Work 1 fpdc around next st. Work 1 bpdc, 1 fpdc and 1 bpdc around next 3 sts.* (Establishes ribbed pattern.) Sl st to initial ch-2 of round. (72 sts)
Round 29: Work 1 fpdc around each fpdc of previous round, 1 bpdc around bpdc of previous round. (Continue ribbed pattern.)
Continue with ribbed pattern to desired length, whether just a couple rounds or quite a few if a long folded brim is desired. Be creative here; many options exist for finishing. When hat is complete, bind off and weave in ends.
