Slip-cable hat

Slip-Cable Hat by Katya Frankel

What is Being Made

The Slip-Cable Hat is an unisex knitted hat designed by Katya Frankel, worked seamlessly in the round from the brim upward. This intermediate-level project features a distinctive slip stitch cable pattern that forms the structural foundation of the hat. The design includes four finished size options with circumferences of 16, 18, 20, and 22 inches (40, 45, 50, and 55 centimeters), accommodating a range of head sizes from 18 to 24 inches (45.5 to 56 centimeters). A signature design element is the naturally flowing crown decreases that emerge from the slip stitch cable columns, creating an elegant flower shape at the top of the finished hat.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to expand their abilities. The primary technique is working in the round using double pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction. The hat incorporates slip stitch cables as a central design feature, requiring knitters to understand cable manipulation and slipped stitch techniques. The pattern also includes simple increases and decreases that are strategically placed to shape the crown, with these decreases flowing naturally from the cable pattern itself rather than appearing as separate shaping elements. This integration of shaping with stitch pattern creates the distinctive flower-like crown detail.

Stitches Used

• Slip stitch cables – the primary stitch pattern that forms the visual and structural focus of the hat
• Knit and purl stitches – foundational stitches used in combination with slip stitches to create the cable pattern
• Increases and decreases – simple shaping techniques integrated into the slip stitch cable columns for crown shaping

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Slip-Cable Hat is designed to be worked in worsted weight yarn, with the original pattern calling for Quince & Co Lark, a yarn composed of 100% American wool. Each skein of Quince & Co Lark contains 50 grams and yields 134 yards (123 meters). Depending on the size being knitted, the pattern requires 1 to 2 skeins, translating to approximately 105 to 175 yards (100 to 160 meters) of yarn. Knitters may substitute this yarn with any aran or worsted weight yarn that knits to the specified gauge. The pattern specifies a gauge of 22 stitches and 32 rounds over 4 inches (10 centimeters) when worked in the slipped cable pattern. Construction requires a set of 5 millimeter (US size 8) double pointed needles, with the recommendation to adjust needle size if necessary to achieve the correct gauge. This quick knit project is accessible to advanced beginners and intermediate knitters seeking a relatively fast completion time.