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

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 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!

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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Beautiful Cotton Suave Yarn For a Summer Top

Knitting a summer top pattern using some unique cotton yarn called Pascuali Suave. It is surprisingly lovely for cotton, which you would never guess it is.

Hello my knitting friends. I’ve taken some time off from knitting because life got busy and I was doing other things.

Back in September (a year ago!) I began knitting the pattern Knus Light as a summer top. I am using a very unique type of cotton yarn. Pascuali’s cotton Suave yarn (link to buy this yarn below) is creating the most incredible, light weight and soft fabric!

I seldom knit with cotton fiber because I just don’t like it, except for dishcloths. It is usually stiff, it shrinks, and it fades.

The cotton Suave is not at all like regular cotton yarn! It is a fluffy, thick and thin yarn, that can take some patience, but the outcome is worth it.

Characteristics of Pascuali’s Suave, Cotton Yarn

The Pascuali Suave yarn is made of 100% GOTS certified organic cotton. It is vegan friendly, and good for those with animal fiber allergies. It is fluffy (see my photos below) and looks fragile, but it is strong and holds together well. It can be machine washed on a gentle setting. Best of all, it comes in a wide array of beautiful colors. The color I am knitting with is Color 54 Brown.

After working with this yarn for the first time, I’m adding it to my favorite yarns list. It might be the best yarn for creating summer items that are truly perfect for my Florida climate!

How to Do a Sewn Bind-off, With Video

Now, I am nearly finished with the body part of Knus Light. It calls for a sewn bind off, or Italian bind-off for 1×1 ribbing.

Knitting top pattern Knus light in Pascuali cotton
finished knitting the Knus Light top body section

Here is a quick little video that I followed to begin the bind off. You will use an embroidery needle. It is quite easy. I’ve done them before, but I needed a refresher. This is also called an Italian bind-off.

Here are some photos to remind you where you are if you set the project down while doing a sewn bind-off.

When you pick up the project, if the yarn is coming from behind, slip the first stitch off knit-wise. Then, put the needle through the front of the second stitch. Now the yarn is in front (photo 2).

If you pick up the project and the yarn is coming from the front, slip the first stitch off purl-wise and bring the needle from the back through the first two stitches and knit that second stitch. See the “quick little video” linked above to understand this better.

sewn bind off with yarn behind
finding your place in a sewn bind off with yarn in front

How I Got Into Trouble During the Bind-off

I ran out of yarn, which became a big problem. The cotton Suave does not splice, so I needed a way to connect more yarn.

I did the attachment using a needle to go through each end as seen in this video. My cotton yarn is very different, but this would have worked had I been simply knitting and needed to attach yarn. But, when I tried to pull the yarn through the loops by sewing, the attached section of yarn bunched up, creating a knot.

I ended up leaving the knot with a loop hanging to the back. I couldn’t get it pulled through while sewing. I will cut the loop and weave in the ends. I really had no choice. I had already tried splicing and wetting the yarn, which didn’t work. I tried tying a tiny knot – nope, it wouldn’t pull through. By this point I was freaking out and hoping that the remaining length was enough to finish. It was, phew… It was stressful.

OKAY… after I finished knitting the bind-off, and published this post, I found this very helpful video that would have been great to know a few days ago… Anyway here it is… just in case you have my same problem of running out of yarn.

Combining cotton yarn ends with a knitting needle
using a needle to pull each end through
Yarn used to sew a bind off has created a knot

All I can say is either do not do a sewn bind-off using Cotton Suave, or make sure you have plenty of yarn to finish the bind-off. Attaching this yarn to itself is impossible. A sleeve would have been different, but the body is so big around that I didn’t have the length needed. It took me hours (and a bottle of wine – just kidding) to get the hem finished!

After the body, I still have the sleeves to knit. One thing I know, is that I will need one more skein of yarn to finish this project.

I Need More Yarn

I knew I was cutting it close with my yarn amount for this project. I did add some length to the body, and plan to make the sleeves 3/4 length. It means I need one more ball of yarn. I’m hoping that Wool and Company can match the dye lot.

Have you used the Suave yarn? What did you think? I’ve always passed by the so-called “summer tops” patterns because the yarn used would not be summery enough for Florida. Once the Knus Light is finished comes the true test – when I wear the top.

Thanks for reading.

Six Inspiring Shawlettes to Knit For Warmth or Cuteness

If you are looking for something small and useful to knit, check out these six shawlette knitting patterns. They make nice little accessories for warmth and are sweet gifts for friends.

Cooler weather is coming and time may not allow for a big knitting project. As knitters we do want to have something always on the needles. Little shawlettes might fit the bill. They don’t require a lot of yarn. They are easy to knit as take-along projects. They are useful in keeping our necks covered and warm.

After I knit the Sophie Scarf, I got into buying nice yarn and knitting short scarves. Any little scarf that ties up around the neck needs to be knit with a nice, soft yarn. I tried a few new cashmere blends which were all nice, but some were easier to knit with than others.

Light tan camel hair yarn by Pascuali and darker skeins by ula+lia.

This is when I discovered Pascuali yarn. I used Pascuali for a couple of my little scarves and loved the outcome.

Now, I am getting ready to take a trip north and would love to bring some warm neck scarves. I’ll dig out the ones I made, and maybe look into starting a new project.

I’m listing some interesting patterns for quick knitting projects, with approximate yardage needed. If you have some yarn to use, maybe that will help with deciding on the pattern. Most of them look best in a solid color, unless noted.

Some Favorite Shawlette Knitting Patterns

Here is a list of some shawlette knitting patterns that are in my queue. Each link goes to the designer’s Ravelry page.

My favorite shawl and shawlette shape is crescent, but they can also be triangular or asymmetrical. Choose a yarn to match for warmth or for decoration.

Here is a short list of six little scarves, or shawlettes, that have caught my attention. All prices are US and were current at the time of writing – and are subject to change. Personally, I think that $10+ for a shawlette is asking too much.

  • Alpine Aster Shawlette – (by Briana Arlene $8) Crescent shaped, takes 400 yards, light fingering yarn. Pattern directions are written and charted. Easy to medium difficulty. Two sides are knit and then grafted together.
  • Dancing Droplet Skinny Scarf – (by Westknits $8.38) – Textured, 250 yards of DK weight yarn. He knit this with a fun, variegated yarn! Most knitters found this one very easy to knit.
  • Riptide 135 Shawlette – (JST Designs $7.50) DK, 230 yards. Triangle shape, but not drastic. Easy to knit, from the ratings.
  • Railings – (Woolenberry $10.18) A normal size, crescent shawl that can be made smaller. (Photo at the top of this post.)
  • Azahar Scarf – (Azahar Knits $7) Cables scarf, DK weight, 100-300 yards.
  • The Sage Scarf – (Violent Cat Lady) NEW and FREE pattern. Very cute – just came out as I was writing this blog post. For Aran / worsted yarn – 140 yards.

Sometimes finding a free pattern is great, and sometimes it can be a problem. Well known designers will offer them (great) and so can anyone (problem). Read my thoughts on free patterns here.

Yarn Ideas For a Shawlette

The first thing to consider for yarn when knitting a shawlette is softness. A small shawl does not take much yarn, so splurge on a soft yarn. Consider a cashmere or cashmere blend. A merino wool is a good choice, but stay away from rustic wool – like some of my favorites for sweaters – that will be too scratchy for the neck. Also be careful of a more fluffy mohair, which could be irritating. I did this, and regretted it when knitting the Railings scarf – where I added my own rows of mohair – not part of the pattern!

When choosing a yarn color, select solid colors to show off a textured pattern. Let all your knitting shine through. A variegated yarn will tend to take away from the details.

I personally don’t like cotton or acrylic, but it is completely up to you as the knitter. This is a list of more expensive and soft-feeling yarns. I’m listing the yardage per skein / ball.

What are your thoughts on knitting little shawlettes? If you have a favorite pattern let us know in the comments.

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