Ditch the cable needle! This beginner cable hat uses twisted stitches to create squiggly cables that are easy and fun to knit. The Tenney Beanie, is an easy and free twisted stitches hat knitting pattern! Scroll down for the full free knitting pattern or purchase the ad-free PDF here.
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How to knit Twisted Stitches
Knitting a twisted stitch instead of using a cable needle is easy. When you come to the place where you want to knit a twisted stitch you simply skip the next stitch and knit into the second stitch either from the front or from the back depending on which direction you want the stitch to lean. Then you knit the first stitch on the needle and drop both stitches off at the same time. I have included helpful video tutorials linked below to show you.
Inspiration for the Tenney Beanie
This beanie is named after a local park in Madison, Wisconsin. Tenney Park features a storybook setting where people can wander through the winding paths and over the many beautiful bridges, watch the boats go through the lock system, ice skate on the frozen pond in the winter. The winding rivers and locks is what inspired the cable design on this beanie.
Find a printer-friendly PDF version of the Tenney Beanie here in my Etsy shop. The PDF version includes the full ad-free pattern great for printing and putting in your project bag.
Keep scrolling for the FREE version of the Tenney Beanie Knitting Pattern.
Worsted weight yarn for hats
The yarn I used for my original sample is from Ruby and Roses Yarn. Addy had reached out to do a collaboration for her new Fall collection. She sent me this beautiful skein of yarn and I knew right away it needed to be some form of cable hat.
Worsted weight yarn is a fantastic choice for knitting hats because it strikes the perfect balance between warmth, durability, and ease of use. Its medium thickness ensures that your hat will be cozy enough to fend off chilly weather without feeling overly bulky. Worsted weight yarn also works up quickly, making it ideal for knitters who want a satisfying project without a long time commitment. Additionally, it’s widely available in a vast range of colors, fibers, and textures, giving you endless creative possibilities. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced knitter, worsted weight yarn offers excellent stitch definition, making it perfect for showcasing intricate patterns or simple, classic designs.
Best Worsted Weight Yarn for Hats
- Summer Camp Fibers – Marshmallow Worsted (Use this link or code WHIMSYNORTH for 10% off your $25+ purchase)
- Lion Brand Yarn – Wool Ease. Acrylic / wool blend that gives great stitch definition for cables and twisted stitches.
- Lion Brand Yarn – Mandala Gradient. Add a little ombre color to your hat with this worsted weight yarn.
- Caron One Pound – Acrylic worsted weight yarn great for beginners
- Cascade 220 Worsted – A workhorse superwash wool that’s machine washable
- Madeline Tosh Vintage – Speckles, variegated, unique colors. This superwash yarn is your choice for a colorful hat.
Click here for other Free Hat Knitting Patterns!
Check out the Bulky version of the Tenney Beanie on Ravelry and Etsy.
Tenney Beanie – FREE Twisted Stitches Hat Knitting Pattern
Description:
Tenney Park in Madison, Wisconsin is filled with rivers, bridges, lily pads, and a lock system for boats to travel from one lake to the other. In the summer boats pass through the channel under the bridges weaving through the city. In the winter it freezes over and people of all ages ice skate on the frozen river. The Tenney beanie is inspired by the bridges and locks on either side with the river running through the middle. It’s knit in the round from the bottom up and features two different brims.d.
Helpful videos for knitting this hat
Sizes: Adult
Materials:
- 160 yards of worsted weight yarn
SUGGESTED YARN
- Summer Camp Fibers – Marshmallow Worsted (Use this link or code WHIMSYNORTH for 10% off your $25+ purchase)
- Lion Brand Yarn – Wool Ease.
- Lion Brand Yarn – Mandala Gradient.
- Caron One Pound
- Cascade 220 Worsted
- Madeline Tosh Vintage
OTHER TOOLS NEEDED
- Main Needle: US 7/ 4.5mm: 16″ / 81cm long circular needle. – or size necessary to obtain gauge. (I use these interchangeable needles for all of my knitting and love them! I also use these needles.)
- Ribbing Needle: US 6/ 4mm: 16″ / 81cm long circular needle.
- Tapestry Needle
- 1 Stitch Marker
- Scissors
- Pom Pom (Optional)
- 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!
Finished Measurements:
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Approx 6.5” / 16.5 cm wide x 12” / 30 cm tall unstretched.
Gauge:
28 sts and 28 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in 2×2 ribbing.
Glossary
CO – Cast on
dec – Decreased
DPNs – Double Pointed Needles
k – Knit
k2tog – Knit the next two stitches together. (1 st decrease)
LT – Left Twist: Skip the first stitch and knit the second stitch through the back loop keeping the stitch on the needle, and then knit the skipped stitch. Slip both stitches from the needle together. This is a left-leaning stitch.
p – Purl
PM– Place Marker
Sl1, k2tog, psso – Slip first stitch purlwise, knit the next 2 sts together, pass the slipped stitch over and off the needle. (2 st decrease)
Rep – Repeat
RT – Right Twist: Skip the first stitch and knit the second stitch keeping the
stitch on the needle, then knit the skipped stitch. Slip both stitches from the needle together. This is a right-leaning stitch.
sl1 – Slip 1 stitch purl wise from the left needle to the right.
ssk – Slip, slip, knit. Slip first stitch knitwise, second stitch purl wise, then knit those 2 sts together.
st/s – Stitch/es
Tenney Beanie Hat Knitting Pattern Directions
With size US 6 (4 mm) needles, CO 96 sts, PM and join in-the-round being careful not to twist your sts.
BRIM
Round 1: *K2, P2; rep from * to end of round.
Repeat round 1 until brim measures 4″ from cast on for folded brim or 1.5″ for standard brim.
HAT
Switch to US 7 (4.5 mm) needle.
Round 1: *K2, p1, k4, p1, k2, p2: rep from * to end of round.
Round 2: *K2, p1, RT, LT, p1, k2, p2; rep from * to end of round.
Round 3: Repeat round 1
Round 4: *K2, p1, LT, RT, p1, k2, p2; rep from * to end of round.
Repeat rounds 1-4 until hat measures 11″ from CO edge for folded brim or 8.5″ for a standard brim ending on round 1 or 3.
DECREASE
Round 1: *Ssk, p1, k1, k2tog, k1, p1, k2tog, p2tog; rep from * to end of round. (32 sts dec, 64 sts total)
Round 2: *K1, p1, sl1, k2tog, psso, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end of round. (16 sts dec, 48 sts total)
Round 3: *Ssk, k1, k2tog, p1; rep from * to end of round. (16 sts dec, 32 sts total)
Round 4: *Ssk, k2tog; rep from * to end of round. (16 sts dec, 16 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. Attach a pom pom if desired. Enjoy your new hat!
Now you have a fun and colorful free twisted stitches hat knitting 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 #tenneybeanie and tag @whimsynorth
