By Yarn and Needlework Contributor Stephanie from the blog Twilly 23
Cooler temperatures have started trickling in where I live. Fall is returning and so is the need for knitwear. A close fitting cap makes an excellent bike hat to wear under your helmet. It provides extra warmth and some extra cushioning. A cable pattern gives this hat great texture. Though this pattern is for intermediate knitters, if you are a beginner knitter who wants to level up this is an excellent project to do so. Once mastered, cables are easy to do and are an impressive addition to knitted gifts.
Craft
Knitting
Difficulty
Intermediate
Materials
Finished Measurements
Flat
15” circumference at brim
8” tall
Fits a 21.5-22.5” circumference head snugly
Gauge
I used a DK yarn from my stash for this project. Knit a gauge swatch flat and in cable pattern to find a suitable yarn for your hat.
Knit flat
20 sts = 4”
26 rows = 4″
Cable stitch pattern
24 stitches = 4”
26 rows = 4”
Notes
*: Repeat pattern between * signs across the row
C4F: 4 stitch cable pattern, slip 2 stitches onto cable, hold in front, knit 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches from cable needle
C4B: 4 stitch cable pattern, slip 2 stitches onto cable, hold in back, knit 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches from cable needle
C2F: 2 stitch cable pattern slip 1 stitch onto cable, hold in front, knit 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch from cable needle
C2B: 2 stitch cable pattern slip 1 stitch onto cable, hold in back, knit 1 stitch, knit 1 stitch from cable needle
K2Tog: Knit two together
P2Tog: Purl two together
SSK: Slip slip knit-slip two stitches as if to knit, return to left needle, knit together through back loop
Pattern
CO 96 sts (CO with a Knitted Cast On for a stretchy edge)
Join to work in the round making sure not to twist stitches
Row 1: *K4, P2*
Row 2: Repeat Row 1
Row 3: Repeat Row 1
Row 4: *C4F, P2, C4B, P2*
Row 5: Repeat Row 1
Row 6: Repeat Row 1
Row 7: Repeat Row 1
Row 8: *C4F, P2, K4, P2*
Repeat Cable Pattern 5 times
Decrease for crown
Row 41: *K4, P2, K1, K2Tog, K1, P2* (88 sts)
Row 42: *K4, P2, K3, P2*
Row 43: *K4, P2, K1, K2Tog, P2* (80 sts)
Row 44: *C4F, P2, C2B, P2*
Row 45: *K1, SSK, K1, P2, K2, P2* (72 sts)
Row 46: *K3, P2, K2, P2*
Row 47: *K1, SSK, P2, K2, P2* (64 sts)
Row 48: *C2F, P2, K2, P2*
Row 49: *K2, P2Tog* (48 sts)
Row 50: *K2, P1*
Row 51: *K2Tog, P1* (32 sts)
Row 52: *K1, P1*
Row 53: *K2Tog* (16 sts)
Row 54: Knit all sts
Row 55: *K2Tog* (8 sts)
Row 56: Knit all sts
Row 57: *K2Tog* (4 sts)
Cut thread, pull through remaining stitches
Finishing
Weave in loose ends. Block hat if desired.
Wear under your bike helmet on your next ride to keep your head cozy and warm. Or gift it to a bike riding loved one.
Craft on!
