Mock Cable Hat

Knit up this easy hat pattern in a flash in 6 sizes – no cable needle needed!

Purchae the ad-free PDF of this pattern in my shop here!

In this post...

Design Story and Inspiration for this Easy Knit Hat Pattern

I absolutely adore this mock cable knit stitch. It really looks like cables but without the finicky cable needle that always trips me up! A few years ago I designed a kid’s version of this hat, so I decided that it needed a refresh with a new yarn choice and sizes for the whole family!

Yarn Options for Knitted Hats

For this pattern, I chose Lion Brand Scarfie yarn because of the amazing color changes, it’s warm bulky feel and the easy way it works up. I’ve used it from blankets to scarves to hats like these because it’s just absolutely amazing – one of my favorite bulky yarns.

You get a ton of yardage out of a single skein, too. After making these three hats I could easily make three to six more depending on what size I chose!

Feel free to substitute any bulky yarn in your stash that gets gauge. You won’t be able to knit just one!

Buy the ad-free PDF with all 6 sizes here!

Mock Cable Hat

What You’ll Need

Yarn: Lion Brand Scarfie, 1 skein
Needles: US Size 8 (5.00mm) and 9 (5.50mm) circular needle or dpn’s
Notions: Yarn needle, scissors
Gauge: 20 sts and 24 rows = 4” (10cm) in mock cable pattern with larger needles

FINISHED SIZES OF HAT:

Size	Circumference (inches)	Circumference (cm)
Newborn	12	30.5
Baby	14.5	37
Toddler	16	40.5
Child	18	45.5
Adult S	20	51
Adult M	21.5	55

Stitch Guide

Knit (k)
Purl (p)
Mock Cable (MC) – Sl 1, k2, pass sl st over k2.

P3tog – purl 3 st together (decrease of 2)

Mock Cable Pattern Stitch
Preparation row: *K3, p1; rep from * around.
Rnd 1: *MC, p1; rep from * to end.
Rnd 2: *K1, yo, k1, p1; rep from * around.
Rnds 3-4: *K3, p1; rep from * around.
Rnd 5: Rep rnd 1.
Rnd 6: Rep rnd 2.

Repeat rnds 1-6 for pattern st.

Purchase the ad-free PDF in 6 sizes in my shop here!

Mock Cable Hat Pattern

NEWBORN PATTERN
With smaller needles, cast on 60 sts. Join, being careful not to twist.

Brim
Work in K2P2 rib for 1.25”.

Body

Change to larger needles and mock cable pattern stitch.
Work in pattern stitch until hat measures 4.5” from beginning, ending with rnd 1. (You should have 45 sts on the needles after passing the slipped sts over on this rnd.)

Shape Crown.
Rnd 1 (Dec Rnd): *(K1, yo, k1, p1) twice, k2, p1; repeat from * to end – 55 sts.
Rnd 2 (Dec Rnd): *(K3, p1) twice, k2tog, p1; repeat from * to end – 50 sts.
Rnd 3 (Dec Rnd): *K3, p1, k3, p3tog; repeat from * to end – 40 sts.
Rnd 4: Rep rnd 1 of stitch pattern.
Rnd 5: Rep rnd 2 of stitch pattern.
Rnd 6: Rep rnd 1 of stitch pattern.
Rnd 7 (Dec Rnd): *K1, yo, k1, p1, k2, p1; rep from * to end – 35 sts.
Rnd 8 (Dec Rnd): *K3, p1, k2tog, p1; rep from * to end – 30 sts.
Rnd 9 (Dec Rnd): *K3, p3tog; rep from * to end – 20 sts.
Rnd 10 (Dec Rnd): *K2tog; rep from * to end – 10 sts.