Cathedral Cable Hat

Cathedral Cable Hat by Loraine Birchall

What is Being Made

The Cathedral Cable Hat is a unisex knitted beanie designed by Loraine Birchall for Woolly Madly Deeply Ltd. This intermediate-level knitting project creates a classic, structured hat suitable for both children and adults. The pattern offers two distinct versions: Version 1 features a shorter brim, while Version 2 includes a folded brim option. The hat is designed to be versatile and gender-neutral, making it an excellent project for knitters seeking a timeless accessory pattern.

Sizes and Yarn Requirements

The Cathedral Cable Hat is available in multiple sizes to accommodate different head measurements. For Child and Adult Small sizes, the pattern requires 164–180 yards of yarn for Version 1 (shorter brim) or 170–200 yards for Version 2 (folded brim). Adult Medium and Large sizes require 210–240 yards for Version 1 or 215–250 yards for Version 2. These yardage amounts account for the cable stitch pattern and the overall construction of the hat.

Yarn and Materials

The Cathedral Cable Hat is designed to be worked with Debbie Bliss BFL Aran yarn, a natural fiber option in aran weight. The sample shown in the pattern was created in Burnt Orange, demonstrating the rich color possibilities available with this yarn choice. Aran weight yarn is a medium-weight option that works up quickly and creates a fabric with good structure and drape, ideal for cable patterns.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires two different needle sizes to create proper gauge and structure throughout the hat. For ribbing, knitters use smaller needles: 4mm/US6 for Child and Adult Small sizes, or 4mm/US7 for Adult Medium and Large sizes. The body of the hat is worked on larger needles: 5mm/US8 for Child and Adult Small sizes, or appropriately sized needles for Adult Medium and Large. This needle size progression is standard practice in knitting to ensure the ribbed cuff sits snugly while the main body has the correct fabric density for the cable pattern.

Techniques and Stitches

The Cathedral Cable Hat showcases cable knitting as its primary design feature. Cable stitches are created by crossing groups of stitches over one another, producing the distinctive twisted, rope-like texture that gives the hat its architectural "cathedral" aesthetic. The pattern incorporates ribbing at the brim, which provides elasticity and helps the hat fit snugly around the head. The combination of ribbed sections and cable panels creates visual interest and structural integrity.

Knitters working this intermediate-level pattern should be comfortable with the following techniques:

• Cable stitches: The core technique, involving slipping stitches to a cable needle, knitting subsequent stitches, then knitting the held stitches to create twisted columns
• Ribbing: Alternating knit and purl stitches to create the elastic cuff
• Decreasing: Necessary for shaping the crown of the hat to create a proper fit
• Working in the round: The hat is constructed circularly, requiring familiarity with circular needles or double-pointed needles and maintaining consistent tension throughout

Pattern Details

The Cathedral Cable Hat pattern was released in October 2017 as Pattern Version 1.0 and is provided as a downloadable PDF document spanning 9 pages. The comprehensive pattern includes detailed instructions, schematic information, and photographic guidance for both versions of the design. The pattern is owned and copyrighted by Loraine Birchall for Woolly Madly Deeply Ltd, a registered company based in Maryport, Cumbria, England.