A beautiful and fun to knit swirling cable design along with cozy super bulky yarn creates the Peppermint Swirl Hat, a cozy free cable knit hat pattern! Scroll down for the full free knitting pattern or purchase the ad-free PDF here.
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How to Knit a Cable Hat
This cable knit hat looks challenging but when broken down it’s actually very beginner friendly as long as you know how to work a cable. There are both written and charted instructions available depending on your preference. The first cable section is slightly different than the rest as I wanted the cables to flow into the 2×2 brim.
Steps to knit this cable hat.
- Cast on the brim.
- Knit and purl the brim ribbing section.
- Begin the cable design following either the written or charted instructions.
- Move onto the decrease section of the pattern.
- Cut the yarn and thread through the remaining stitches on the needle to close up the hat.
- Done!
Inspiration for this free cable knit hat pattern
Two years ago I designed the Peppermint Swirl Mittens just before the holidays as a quick gift knitting pattern. Every year I knit up something for my kid’s teachers and that year it was chunky mittens. They were a hit and became one of my best selling patterns!
Find the matching Free Peppermint Swirl Mittens pattern here!
The mitten pattern has also become a favorite for makers to sell in their market booth and this year one of them on Instagram asked if there was a matching hat pattern. What a great idea I thought so I went to work on creating a hat that included the same swirling cable design.
Now you can knit a matching set! Just in time for holiday gift giving.
Find a printer-friendly PDF version of the Peppermint Swirl Hat here in my Etsy shop. The PDF version includes the full ad-free pattern that’s easy to print and stick in your project bag!
Click HERE for more FREE Hat Knitting Patterns
Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Peppermint Swirl Mittens Knitting Pattern.
Best Yarn for Knitting Chunky Hats
There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing yarn for chunky hats.
- Fiber Content: This is a personal preference. I love a good natural fiber like wool because it’s warm and has natural wicking properties to help keep you warm and dry. It also creates less static which means less hat hair. Natural fiber yarns tend to be more expensive than acrylic yarn so if budget is an issue than acrylic is a good option.
- Thickness: There is a variability of thickness when it comes to super bulky yarns. I wrote this pattern for both thinner and thicker yarns. You will see different instructions depending on what yarn you choose and a list of yarn options.
- Ply and Twist: A single ply roving yarn like We Are Knitters – The Wool (shown in my sample – color Marshmallow) can tend to shed and pill faster. Whereas a yarn with a twist like Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick and Quick may shed less.
I’ve included some of my favorite super bulky yarns to use for hat knitting below.
Budget friendly Super Bulky Yarn for Knitting Chunky Hats
Super Bulky yarn can come in a multitude of price points. These are my favorite budget friendly yarns for chunky hats.
Splurge worthy Super Bulky Yarn for Knitting Hats
If you want something a little more on the luxury side here are my favorite splurge worthy super bulky yarns.
- Malabrigo – Rasta
- Madelinetosh – A.S.A.P
- Summer Camp Fibers – Marshmallow Super Bulky
- We Are Knitters – The Wool
Peppermint Swirl Hat – FREE Cable Knit Hat Pattern
Description:
The Peppermint Swirl Hat was designed to match the Peppermint Swirl Mittens. It features a main swirling cable along with smaller accent twisted stitches. This hat is knit in the round from the bottom up and includes both charted and written instructions. The super bulky yarn makes it a quick knit that’s great for gift giving!
Note: Yarn Thickness
I have found that there is a slight difference in thickness when it comes to super bulky yarn and this can effect the size of your hat. This pattern has two separate directions. One for thin super bulky yarn and one for thick.
Note: Cable Section
The first round of the cable section is slightly different than the next two repeats. This is so that the cables flow seamlessly into the brim. Therefore, be careful when reading the directions.
Size: Adult One Size
Materials:
Super Bulky weight yarn in the following yardages
- 77 yds / 70.5 m
SUGGESTED YARN
Thinner Super Bulky Yarn
- Lion Brand – Wool-Ease Thick and Quick
- Malabrigo – Rasta (This is the yarn I used in my sample – Color: Frank Ochre)
- Madelinetosh – A.S.A.P
- Summer Camp Fibers – Marshmallow Super Bulky
Thicker Super Bulky Yarn
OTHER TOOLS NEEDED
- US 11/ 8mm: 16″ / 41cm long circular needle.
- US 15 / 10mm: 16″ / 41 cm long circular needle. Or size necessary to obtain gauge. (Plus preferred method for small circumference knitting, DPNs or magic loop). These are the interchangeable needles I use for all of my super bulky knits.
- Tapestry Needle
- 1 Stitch Marker
- Scissors
- Cable Needle
- The Knit Kit – My FAVORITE knitting tool. I keep one in each project bag! Click here and use my link for 10% off your order of $25 or more on The Knit Kit and Summer Camp Fibers entire shop!
Gauge:
11 sts & 12 rows = 4”/10 cm. Measured over cable pattern in the round with US 15 / 10mm needles.
Glossary:
BOR – Beginning of Round
CN – Cable Needle
CO – Cast on
DPNs – Double Pointed Needles
k – Knit
k2tog – Knit the next two stitches together (1 st decrease)
p – Purl
p2tog – Purl the next two stitches together (1 st decrease)
Rep – Repeat
Rnd(s) – Round(s)
st/s – Stitch/es
Cable Stitches:
1/1 RC – Slp 1 st to CN and hold to back of work; k1, then k1 from CN
2/2 RC – Slip 2 sts to CN and hold to back of work; k2, then k2 from CN
2/2 LC – Slip 2 sts to CN and hold to front of work; k2 then k2 from CN
Peppermint Swirl Hat – FREE Cable Knit Hat Pattern Directions
Thin Super Bulky Yarn
(See Materials section for what’s considered thin super bulky yarn)
Using US 11/ 8mm needles, CO 48 stitches with MC, place stitch marker, and join in the round.
BRIM
Round 1: *P2, k2; Rep from * to end of round.
Repeat round one, 5 more times (total of 6 rnds).
HAT
Switch to US 15 / 10mm needle.
Written instructions:
FIRST CABLE REPEAT
Round 1: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, 2/2 LC, k2, 2/2 RC. (16 sts)
Round 2: P2, k2, p2, k10.
Round 3: P2, k2, p2, k4, 2/2 RC, k2.
Round 4: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, k10.
Round 5: (P2, k2) × 2, 2/2 RC, k4.
Round 6: Repeat round 2.
SECOND CABLE REPEAT
Round 1: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, 2/2 RC, k2, 2/2 RC. (16 sts)
Round 2: P2, k2, p2, k10.
Round 3: P2, k2, p2, k4, 2/2 RC, k2.
Round 4: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, k10.
Round 5: (P2, k2) × 2, 2/2 RC, k4.
Round 6: Repeat round 2.
Rep rnds 1-6 of Second Cable Repeat.
Next work rnds 1 & 2 of Second Cable Repeat
Continue to decrease section.
CHART INSTRUCTIONS:
Work rnds 1-6 of First Cable Repeat chart starting at rnd 1. (See Cable Section note regarding first round of this chart)
Next work 2 total repeats of the “Second Cable Repeat” chart. (You will have knit 3 total cable chart sections)
Next work rnds 1 & 2 of the Second Cable Repeat chart.
Continue to decrease section.
DECREASE:
Switch to magic loop or DPNs if desired.
Round 1: P2tog, k2tog, p2tog, k2, k2tog, 2/2 RC, k2tog. (15 sts dec, 33 sts total)
Round 2: P1, k1, p1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k1, k2tog. (9 sts dec, 24 sts)
Round 3: P1, k1, p1, k1, 2/2 RC, k2.
Round 4: P1, k1, p1, k3, k2tog. (3 sts dec, 21 sts)
FINISHING
Cut yarn, leaving an 8”/ 20cm tail. Using your tapestry needle, thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tightly to close the top of the hat. Weave in all the ends and use them to sew up any holes. Attach a pom pom if desired.
Thick Super Bulky Yarn
(See materials section for what’s considered thick super bulky yarn)
Using US 11/ 8mm needles, CO 48 stitches with MC, place stitch marker, and join in the round.
BRIM
Round 1: *K2, p2; Rep from * to end of round.
Repeat round one, 4 more times (total of 5 rnds).
HAT
Switch to US 15 / 10mm needle.
Written instructions:
First Cable Repeat
Round 1: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, 2/2 LC, k2, 2/2 RC. (16 sts)
Round 2: P2, k2, p2, k10.
Round 3: P2, k2, p2, k4, 2/2 RC, k2.
Round 4: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, k10.
Round 5: (P2, k2) × 2, 2/2 RC, k4.
Round 6: Repeat round 2.
Second Cable Repeat
Round 1: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, 2/2 RC, k2, 2/2 RC. (16 sts)
Round 2: P2, k2, p2, k10.
Round 3: P2, k2, p2, k4, 2/2 RC, k2.
Round 4: P2, 1/1 RC, p2, k10.
Round 5: (P2, k2) × 2, 2/2 RC, k4.
Round 6: Repeat round 2.
Rep rnds 1-6 of Second Cable Repeat.
Continue to decrease section.
Chart Instructions:
Work rnds 1-6 of First Cable Repeat chart starting at rnd 1. (See Cable Section note regarding first round of this chart)
Next work 2 total repeats of the “Second Cable Repeat” chart. (You will have knit 3 total cable chart sections)
Continue to decrease section.
DECREASE:
Switch to magic loop or DPNs if desired.
Round 1: P2tog, k2tog, p2tog, 2/2 RC, k2, 2/2 RC. (9 sts dec, 39 sts total)
Round 2: P1, k1, p1, k2tog, k2tog, k4, k2tog. (9 sts dec, 30 sts total)
Round 3: P1, k1, p1, k2tog 3 times, k1. (9 sts dec, 21 sts total)
FINISHING
Cut yarn, leaving an 8”/ 20cm tail. Using your tapestry needle, thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tightly to close the top of the hat. Weave in all the ends and use them to sew up any holes. Attach a pom pom if desired.
Now you have a cozy and warm free cable knit hat pattern! Check out more of my FREE knitting patterns on the blog HERE.
I would love it if you took a moment to upload your projects to Ravelry or Pin this pattern to Pinterest so you can share it with friends! Also, don’t forget to share your knit hat on Instagram so I can see what you make! Us the hashtag #peppermintswirlhat and tag @whimsynorth
