Knitting the Cables on the Maine Cables Hat – Part 3

Part three of the knitting pattern Maine Cables Hat is all about making the cables. I can suggest an excellent cable needle that will make the knitting easier.

Now we are moving onto the third part of our cable hat project. The Maine Cables Hat is made up of cables all over the crown. We have finished the cast on and ribbing. We have finished the set up rows also (see Part 2 here), and are ready to knit the cables.

A cable is made by twisting stitches to the left or right. They will twist according to where those cable needle stitches are held – to the front, or back. This is the purpose of using an extra needle, or cable needle, some of the stitches will be slipped and ignored until we knit from the normal row of stitches. The stitches we slipped onto the cable needle will be knit after.

Our Maine Cables Hat pattern lists the cable section as Rounds 1-8. We have to repeat all those rounds five times. Mainly we are knitting and doing a couple of purls on most of the rounds. But, rounds 4 and 8 are where we make the cables.

Making the 3/3LC Cables in Round 4

In the Maine Cables pattern we first make a 3/3LC in round four of the top of the hat. This stitch is explained in the Abbreviations & Techniques section of the pattern. But, I will go over it here.

For the 3/ 3 LC: Three stitches are slipped purl-wise onto the cable needle and are held in front of our work (#1 photo below). The next 3 stitches are knit while we ignore the cable needle (#2 photo below). Next, the three stitches on the cable needle are knit (#3 photo below). This twists the stitches to the left – LC = left-leaning cable.

knitting a cable holding three stitches to the front
Making a cable stitch by knitting behind the cable.
Finish knitting the cable stitch by knitting off the cable needle.

Making the 3/3RC Cables in Round 8

The other cable stitch is 3/3RC meaning “right leaning cable”. It also uses three stitches on the cable needle but they will be held to the back of the work.

Below I am knitting the 3/3RC cable row. The 3 stitches on my little cable needle are held behind the normal knitting. Then, I knit the next three stitches, ignoring the cable needle. Last, I knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle. The RC makes a right-leaning cable. *Very Pink Knits has a quick video about knitting this exact 3/3RC cable. (I think she is using the Brittany cable needle – see below.)

Knitting the right leaning cable on Maine Cables hat
Close-up of a hand holding knitting needles with yellow yarn, focusing on the stitches being worked.

Get a Good Cable Needle

If cable knitting seems daunting, remember that many rows are simply knits and purls, while the cable rows only show up twice in eight rounds (for this pattern). You can do it!

Making a cable stitch is not difficult but it can be a little wonky feeling. Here is what I have found will help the most. Use a wooden needle so the held stitches won’t slip! This is so important for keeping your sanity.

I used to use some old, metal cable stitch holders that were my grandmothers, but the stitches would slip off and really annoy me. The old needle was also long and would get in my way. I’ve tried many styles of cable needles and hated them all – with stitches slipping off completely, or slipping when trying to knit back onto the normal needle.

When I heard about the Brittany brand, wood cable needles, I got some. It was love. I’m no longer afraid of cables making me crazy.

Buy Brittany cable needles image with text

A cable needle does not need to be the same size as your knitting needle, just close. Too thin and the stitches will easily slide off. Too tight and it will be hard to knit them. The wooden needles by Brittany come in three sizes which can be used for many knitting needle sizes.

Here Come the Cables!

After finished the first round of of the hat crown – rows 1-8 – This is what we have (photo below). As we work the remaining rows the cables will grow.

I’m on my last set of rounds for the cables (photo below right).

How each of the cable rows make the stitches lean right and left.
Maine Cables hat part 3 - knitting the cables

I will be writing the last blog post (Part 4) about knitting the Maine Cables Hat next. We will cover the decreases at the crown, weaving in the ends, and trying our new hat on!

Keep knitting friends! I’d love to hear how it’s going.

knitting needles image - divider

Extra Info

Examples of What We Can Do With Cables

This hat pattern (Maine Cables Hat – get the FREE pattern here) has very simple cables. But they will make this hat look so nice. Cables can do that. And cables can create some very fun designs on all kinds of projects.

I have a cabled cardigan in my knitting queue – the Bookclub Cardigan, by Sari Nordlund. I know it will take all my concentration and dedication to finish, so I need to wait until the right time – but it is so beautiful, and I want a cabled sweater.

Many years ago I found the Norrland hat pattern. At the time, I’m sure it was too difficult for me. This unique pattern is knit in two colors, with cables and colorwork combined. The hat looks like branching trees going up to the crown! It is really stunning, and I think I should knit it soon!

The Skiff Hat by Jared Flood is the most intricate cabling I have done. I had to go through the knitting chart and color code everything to keep the cables straight. I’ve knit that hat a couple of times and plan to knit it again one day. It does tend to come out large as I remember.

Cable Hats I Have Knit

Here are some other cabled hats I’ve finished. Both Habitat and Skiff, by Jared Flood, have intricate, entwined cables. If you want to knit a hat like this, see my notes at the hat links below. It’s one row at a time, and before you know it, you have a beautiful new hat that will amaze everyone!

Skiff hand knit beanie with cables
Skiff beanie in gray
Skiff Hat with cables
Skiff in blue
Cabled beanie in bright orange Habitat pattern
Habitat Hat
divider sweaters on lion, koala, and tiger

Keep reading more knitting stories…

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.

More knitting stories

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.