"Malte Hat" - Hat Knitting Pattern For Women in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran

Malte Hat: Women's Knitting Pattern with Cable Details

What is Being Made

The Malte Hat is a knitted hat designed for women, sized to fit an average head. This downloadable PDF knitting pattern creates a finished hat using MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran yarn in a classic construction suitable for intermediate-level knitters.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs cables as a primary design element, worked using a cable needle to create dimensional texture. The hat is worked flat on straight needles rather than in the round, which means the pieces are knitted as flat panels and then seamed together. This flat-working approach allows for precise cable placement and shaping control throughout the construction.

Stitches and Construction Details

The pattern features cable stitches as a signature detail, including C6F (cable 6 front) — a technique where 3 stitches are slipped onto a cable needle and held at the front of the work while the next 3 stitches are knitted, then the held stitches are knitted from the cable needle. This creates a twisted, rope-like texture characteristic of cable knitting.

The base fabric is worked in stockinette stitch, which provides a smooth background that allows the cable patterns to stand out prominently. The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and includes both UK and US knitting terminology translations for clarity.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Three 50g/1¾oz balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran in Stone (202)
• Needles: One pair each of 4.5mm (US 7) and 5mm (US 8) needles
• Additional Tools: Cable needle for working cable stitches

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern specifies a tension of 18 stitches and 24 rows to 10cm/4in over stockinette stitch using 5mm (US 8) needles. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for proper fit and drape of the finished hat.

Yarn Weight and Color Options

MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran is an aran weight yarn, which is a medium-heavy yarn that works up quickly and provides structure to the cable details. The pattern is shown in Stone, with suggested alternative colorways including Haze, Woodland Bark, Teal, Paradise, and Orange, allowing knitters to customize their finished hat to personal preference.

Pattern Notes and Tips

The pattern includes helpful guidance for successful construction: make sure the cast on is worked with ease to allow extra stretch for the cable panels, ensuring that when worn, the hat maintains its intended shaping and does not become distorted by the cable texture. This tip is particularly important since cables naturally pull fabric tighter, and a loose cast-on edge compensates for this tension.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Improving difficulty, this pattern is suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable with basic techniques and ready to develop skills with cable work. Prior experience with cable stitches or willingness to learn this technique is recommended.