Knitting the Maine Cables Hat, Cast-on and Ribbing – Part 2

We are getting ready to knit the Maine Cables Hat. Grab your needles, yarn and stitch markers and let’s begin!

If you are ready to knit the Maine Cables Hat, here we go.

My last post was about gathering the things you’ll need to knit this free pattern. If you need to know about that, go back there and read Part One.

For everyone else, grab the needles and your yarn, and let’s cast on some stitches.

Cast On With Long Tail

I hope you have decided which hat size you will make. I’m making the small size so my cast on will be 88 stitches. I will follow the pattern which says to begin by using the Long Tail cast-on to get our stitches onto our 16″ circular needles. That video is SLOW and great for anyone just learning – remove the slip knot and do not count it as a stitch. I do my cast on without a slip knot – like this video.

For this type of cast-on make sure your tail end is 3-4 times longer than the circumference of your project. Do a general measure of three and add a little more.

Join in the Round – Three Ways

There are many ways to join in the round. Once all my 88 stitches are on the needle the first and last stitch will be swapped. Then I add a BOR (beginning of round) marker. This should be a unique marker, different from the ones you will use later to mark off the cable sections.

Here is a short list of quick videos showing different ways to join in the round. Once all stitches are on your needle, straighten them to face the same way and connect the first and last stitch. This is called joining in the round.

Next, Knit the Hat Ribbing

The ribbing is a knit 2, purl 2 alternating stitch (2×2 rib). The pattern says to knit 10 rounds, which will create a short brim that does not fold. The pattern says to knit 20 rounds, or approximately 3 inches for a folded brim. *This is where I will make an adjustment to the pattern.

I like a brim that folds, but three inches total is not long enough. I decided to knit 4 inches, which will give me a 2 inch folded brim. I’m hoping it will be long enough for my liking as I usually knit at least 6 inches for the fold.

Casting on and knitting ribbing for Maine Cables hat.

Below I am sharing photos of other hats I’ve knit showing the nice, big folded brim. If the ribbing is too short, it won’t fold well. I suggest making that ribbing longer for the Maine Cables Hat if you want a nice, folded brim.

Hats With Long Brims I Have Knit

Watchcap in fingering rib in bright orange with black at the top of the brim fold.
Beanie in 2x2 rib and bright blue color, with folded brim
Curly Snowflake colorwork hat with pompom, in gray and off-white

Ribbing Done, Do Set-up Rounds

Once you have knit your desired length of 2×2 ribbing, there are two set up rounds. This creates the sections for the top of the hat where the cables will be. Get your 10, or 11 stitch markers. They will go between those sections of stitches all the way around.

Set up round 1: *(knit 1, increase 1, knit 1) – do this 3 times, then purl 2 and place marker. *Repeat all of this, all the way around. Each section will have 11 stitches. You will end up with 121 stitches for the small size, or 132 stitches for the large size. Need a backward loop increase refresher? Check out this video.

Set up round 2 is pretty easy. Knit all the knits and increases and purl the two purls in each section.

Maine Cables Hat knitting with cable sections marked with stitch markers

Cable Section / Top of Hat

Next we will knit the cable part of the hat. I need to get going and knit this part myself, so more to come in my next post.

Happy knitting! Hope you are having fun, because that is what knitting should be.

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Halibut Sweater Pattern Shows Up in Below Series

If you are watching the Netflix series below, and you are a knitter, did you recognize that fish sweater worn by one of the actors?

This post is just for fun. I was binge watching the Below series on Netflix, while knitting the Maine Cables Hat and ….whoa, is that a sweater pattern I recognize?

Suddenly, in season 1, episode 5 of the Netflix movie “Below” a man comes walking into an old abandoned house. As he comes into focus I immediately recognized the sweater he was wearing as the Halibut pattern by Caitlin Hunter of Boyland Knitworks. At least I was pretty sure it was.

I paused the movie to Google the sweater to make sure and yes, the design matched. I’ve never knit the pattern, but it is very recognizable because of the big halibut fish images across the yoke.

The episode continues with him walking around in a scene where the fish-filled sweater is easy to view. Probably anyone who has been knitting a while will recognize this popular pattern.

I’ve never knit it, and have no plans to. In all honesty, the design does not interest me. It’s unique, but I couldn’t picture myself wearing big fish across my body. But, to each his / her own.

The Below series stars Josh Hartnett. The actor Charlie Heaton is one of his sons. You will recognize Mr. Heaton if you are a fan of Stranger Things. There are beautiful scenes of Newfoundland and the area, which I completely enjoyed. Now back to finish my viewing.

I’m curious if you watched the series and also recognized Halibut?

Please keep reading, if you love to knit.

How to Knit An Easy Cable Hat – Part 1

For my trip to New England this fall I want a new, warm hat. The free pattern Maine Cables Hat is what I chose and will document my knitting along the away to encourage first time cable knitters.

Would you like to knit along with me as I knit this easy cable hat? The pattern is free – yay! I’m knitting this hat for my trip to New England this Fall. This page will explain what is needed to accomplish the project. Part 2 will begin with a cast-on and knitting the ribbing.

A Hat Pattern for Experienced Beginner

If you can knit and purl, and if you like knitting hats, grab some nice yarn and let’s knit this beautiful beanie. I’ll list some videos that can help with everything from the cast-on to the switch to DPN’s or Magic Loop knitting for the decreases at the top.

Even if you’ve never knit a hat, if you have some experience in knitting, it might be the perfect time to branch out. Cables are not difficult to create, but you do need a smaller cable needle (link below) to hold the stitches. *If you don’t want to buy a cable needle, a DPN would also work. Wood is best so the stitches don’t slip.

This pattern is not suggested for a true beginner. You should have some knitting experience to make this project fun. *The pattern is written out and it includes a chart.

Ravelry knitters (219 at the time I’m writing this) have rated this pattern as quite easy to knit, and 4.9 of 5 rating for clarity. Overall, knitters loved this pattern and lots of them were first time cable makers!

Tools Needed to Knit This Hat

Here is a list of necessities for knitting this cable hat pattern. Also included are other things you may probably have.

Some links below will go to Amazon where you can find the item suggested. These links are affiliate links where I could make a small commission, at no cost to you, and are listed as (paid links).

  • The pattern, by Heather Anderson – Maine Cables Hat – download for free at Ravelry
  • Yarn – Worsted weight yarn, 175 – 210 yards (per pattern and size chosen) *If you choose to make a longer folded brim, I’m guessing you will need more yarn. The pattern doesn’t say, but the double brim in the pattern is only 3 inches. I’m making mine 4 inches.
  • Needles – circular 16″ in size 7 (paid link to ChiaoGoo brand) and also double-pointed needles (paid link)in same size. (For magic loop, you will need a longer circular – 32 inches at least- in the same size.)
  • Cable needles – if you don’t have any I suggest the Brittany wood cable needles. (paid link) OR, if you have them, use a size 7 DPN (wood preferred).
  • Stitch markers – A special / different one for BOR (beginning of round) and 10 – 11 more to mark the cables. Clover 32 piece (paid link) larger size markers.
  • Stitch stoppers / point protectors – to keep work on the needles in the knitting project bag. There are many types, but something like this will work.
  • Embroidery needle to weave in the ends. (8 piece, large eye with wood case) – paid link.
  • Scissors
Knitting tools needed to complete the Maine Cables hat project

Getting Started

Once you have your yarn and needles and other necessities, read through your Maine Cables Hat pattern. Decide which size, Small or Large, (18 or 20 inches finished size) you will knit.

The pattern designer mentions that the smaller size hat “fits snugly” on her head, and the larger size is looser. The large size would work well for a man. She also says that the overall finished hat is very stretchy.

(The pattern does mention a gauge of 20 stitches to 4 inches in stockinette. I never knit a gauge for a hat, but the info is there is you like.)

*Keep in mind that the ribbing cast-on will be fewer stitches than the cable stitch total for the top of the hat. After the ribbing is done, increases will be made to bring the stitch count up to 121, or 132 total.

A fewer stitch count for the ribbing will make it a bit tighter, which I like. I hate when my finished hat fits too loosely! Cable stitches also pull inward to tighten the fabric, so more stitches are needed to account for that.

New Stitches to Know

The cable stitches will be the only stitches you may not be familiar with. Most other abbreviations should be familiar. They are all listed at the end of the pattern.

After the ribbing, increases will be made. This will be a backward loop increase, which is simple to accomplish. Purl two together (p2tog) is made just like a normal purl except purling two stitches at the same time. This decreases one stitch.

The cables are explained in the pattern, but in general this is what they mean: 3/3RC and 3/3LC are the cable stitches. 3/3RC means the next 3 stitches will be slipped to the cable needle and held in back while the next three stitches are knit. Then, knit the 3 stitches off the cable needle.

3/3LC means three stitches will be held in front, but done the same way.

My Choices For Size, Yarn, and Needles

Choose a worsted weight yarn for knitting this hat. I suggest you choose a solid color, or slightly marled. Any yarn with lots of changing colors will take away from the cables. This is my opinion, and you are free to knit as you wish!

I chose Knitting for Olive heavy merino yarn. I bought two balls to equal 274 yards and am combining it with one ball of Knitting for Olive mohair (246 yds.) I should have plenty of yarn, even with a longer rib.

For my hat, I am holding two yarns together. Both are from the company Knitting for Olive and both are color Umami Yellow. One is a heavy merino wool and the other is mohair. Because I’m using two yarns together, I went up a needle size to an 8US. I will be knitting the smaller size hat.

Maine Cables Hat knitting pattern and yellow yarn

More to come on the tutorial for knitting the Maine Cables Hat. Get your tools ready and follow along and knit yourself a beautiful new hat for this winter!

If you are ready, check out Knitting the Maine Cables Hat Part 2 where we will cast on and knit the ribbing.

More about the hats I’ve knit.

Brioche Knitting For Beginners With Video Tutorials

When beginning to knit brioche, choose a simple pattern and get some practice. This post has video tutorials and easy pattern links for knitters who want to learn something new.

Let me admit right up front that I am not a brioche knitter. I have tried it numerous times and failed. I consider myself a brioche beginner. The basic stitch is not hard, but I think the trick is to knit a very easy project to become accustomed to the stitches. After that, if it seems like something to pursue further, go on to try two-color brioche, and pattern knitting.

A reader recently left a nice comment on my old post where I had given up on brioche after failing at it miserably. I was doing a more difficult two-color hat pattern. The comment reminded me to finish this post.

Back to Brioche, Simple Beginner Tutorial

I hadn’t planned to knit brioche. But, I was camping in Florida, and thunderstorms were all around us. I needed something to do while confined inside the camper. I had brought my cotton yarn to create new dishcloths because I had no other knitting project to bring. I’ve wanted to go back to Purl Soho and find some fun, new stitches to use for a dishcloth. It’s where I found them years ago and have been using the dishcloths ever since.

Knitting brioche in cotton for a dishcloth
Brioche cotton dishcloth using one yarn color at a time.

Purl Soho has always had some interesting tutorials on various stitches which I like to try out on simple, small projects. They also sell pretty yarn and have many helpful tutorials. I noticed that they include sewing, weaving and embroidery tutorials – in case you are interested. And I am! I will be checking out the embroidery.

What is Brioche Knitting?

Brioche is using simple knitting stitches, yarn overs, and sometimes purls to create a ribbed, squishy, fabric. It is thick with detailed ribs on both sides which makes it reversible. It can be knit in a solid color, or using two colors. It’s very pretty for certain projects, but it is also tricky when it becomes advanced. This is my own opinion.

Basic Brioche Video: Knit Flat (Back and Forth)

A few Purl Soho tutorials cover brioche knitting. I have a bit of a negative response to “brioche” because it has been tough for me to complete a project. However, I reconsidered and watched their brioche knitting video tutorial. It is easy to follow and it perfect for a beginner brioche knitter. *Except that it was not clear to me that there is a knit stitch at the beginning and end of the row. In the video, she never finished a row!

In the video we are given the steps – cast on an even number of stitches, and do a set up row. After that the brioche stitch continues on row after row. So how do we end the project?

Purl Soho does have many helpful videos for knitters. They have many brioche videos; for making increases / decreases, fixing mistakes, and doing two-color brioche (flat). I see nothing for binding off in brioche.

Since brioche is made up of a doubled up stitch (BRK – brioche knit), it is counted as one stitch but looks like two. This is due to the yarn overs. When it comes time to the bind-off for brioche, check out this video by 10 Rows a Day.

I ended up doing a simple, regular bind off for my dishcloth because I don’t care how it looks. For a nicer project, I would follow the real brioche bind off tutorial.

Bioche knitting with cotton for a dishcloth
A handmade crochet piece featuring a gradient of orange and pink hues, with distinct textured patterns.
A hand holding a handmade crochet piece in shades of pink, orange, and green, featuring a textured pattern.

After washing, my brioche cotton dishcloth became very wide so I folded it in half and crocheted the edges together. When you do a real brioche project, choose the correct yarn (wool!) and needle size and your brioche will look much nicer than this!

To Begin, Don’t Knit a Complicated Brioche Project

Here is my suggestion. Don’t pay for a brioche knitting project before trying out the stitch on free patterns. Do a simple, flat (back and forth) brioche stitch item. Maybe progress to a two-color flat project. Do some increases and decreases and then maybe knit in the round. I’m saying get the hang of the way brioche looks and works.

Basic Brioche Abbreviations – Only Two for Flat Brioche

To begin a simple brioche flat pattern, you only need to know a few abbreviations. For circular brioche, you need to know more. I’m not going there.

  • bk2tog – brioche knit two stitches together. You will see two wonky stitches side by side, and knit them together.
  • YOS – bring the yarn over – from back to front between the needles – and slip the next stitch which is a purl stitch, purl wise. Then, the yarn goes over the needle to the back (this is the yarn over – not between the needles, but over the top of the right needle). Now you are ready to bk2tog.
  • Continue with these two stitches. Watch the video.

Easy Brioche Patterns For Beginners

After all that practice (many dishcloths later) if you still want to try a pattern, buy one from a reputable designer who will supply good directions.

Purl Soho has a simple and FREE Brioche Scarf pattern knit in one color, at their website. After you watch their brioche video (linked above on this page), grab some of their nice yarn and knit a long scarf.

Look for a flat knitting project without a lot of anything (increases and decreases) but simple back and forth. One scarf I have had in my favorites for years is Westknits- Bundled in Brioche – it is a FREE scarf pattern that could be knit all in one color, or using many colors (two at a time). I want to knit it one day! This one would be great practice and a great way to use up leftover yarn.

Westknits has many brioche patterns. Many of them look very complicated, and also a bit bizarre. Stephen West also includes a lot of video tutorials for his patterns, which is so helpful. These are ideas for those who feel confident with brioche.

Free Hat Pattern in Brioche – for the brave beginner.

Purl Soho also has a FREE hat pattern for Two-color brioche hat which is knit in DK weight yarn. This circular project requires more knowledge. You will also have to decrease in brioche at the top of the hat. It is such a pretty hat, but I’m honestly afraid to try it. *Note also that Purl Soho’s 2-color brioche video tutorial is done flat, not in the round.

If I ever find a good tutorial that walks me through cast on, joining, knitting, decreasing, and everything that has to do with brioche in the round, I will let you know! If you have one, please share.

animals divider fox, mice, hamsters

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