Knitting Pattern: On the Slopes Hat

The On the Slopes Hat is one of my favorite designs. Back in 2013, this cable knit hat pattern was first published in Love of Knitting.

This post contains affiliate links. I may receive compensation (at no added cost to you) if you make a purchase using these links.The yarn for the sample was generously provided by Knit Picks.

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you know that I love knitting cables. I used them in my free patterns for the Slouchy Horseshoe Cable Hat, Juxtapose: A Cabled Beanie, and the Checkerboard Cable Scarf. What can I say? I’m a sucker for cables, and more specifically, for cable knit hats.

This cable knit hat includes two different types of cables – well, technically three, if you include the cables in the decrease section.

It starts with a brim band that’s knit flat, so you can adjust it to another size, if you’d like, and then it continues with the rest of the hat knit in the round from the brim band up to the crown. And, the pom pom finishes it off.

Since the pattern was originally published, one of the yarns, Knit Picks Swish Tonal, has been discontinued. You can substitute another medium weight yarn. Consider choosing a coordinating solid and variegated yarn, as I did for the sample, or two contrasting colors for a different look.

If you make your own On the Slopes Hat, I’d love to see it! Share your progress and questions by tagging me on Facebook as @Underground Crafter on on Instagram as @ucrafter. You can also share a picture in the Underground Crafters Facebook group. Sign up for my weekly newsletter and get a coupon code for your choice of one of my premium patterns and private access to my vault of subscriber goodies. Plus, you’ll never miss one of my free patterns again!

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On the Slopes Hat

Cable Knit Hat Pattern by Underground Crafter

This stretchy hat features two widths of cable to create a cozy look that’s perfect for winter

Finished Size

• Adult: 21” (61 cm) circumference x 8.5” (21.5 cm) height (not including pom pom).

Materials

• Knit Picks Swish Worsted (100% superwash Merino wool, 1.75 oz/50 g, 110 yd/100 m) – 1 skein in Marine Heather (CA), or approximately 110 yd (100 m) in any medium weight yarn.
• Knit Picks Swish Tonal (100% superwash Merino wool, 3.5 oz/100 g, 220 yd/201 m) – 1 skein in Pacific Tonal (CB), or approximately 124 yd (113 m) in any medium weight yarn.
• U.S. Size 7 (4.5mm) 40″ (100 cm) circular knitting needles (or set of DPNs, for small circumference knitting in the round), or any size needed to obtain gauge.
• Cable needle.
• Stitch marker.
• Yarn needle.
• Pompom maker, extra large (optional).

Gauge

• 19 sts x 24 rows = 4” (10 cm) in stockinette st. Exact gauge is not critical for this project.

Abbreviations Used in This Pattern

• C2F – 2-st cable – Sl 1 to cn and hold cn at front, k1, k1 from cn.
• C4F – 4-st cable – Sl 2 to cn and hold cn at front, k2, k2 from cn.
• C6F – 6-st cable – Sl 3 to cn and hold cn at front, k3, k3 from cn.
• CA – Color A
• CB – Color B
• CO – cast on
• cn – cable needle
• k – knit
• k2tog – knit 2 sts together
• p – purl
• p2tog – purl 2 sts together
• rep – repeat
• Rnd(s) – Round(s)
• RS – right (front) side
• sl – slip
• st(s) – stitch(es)
• * Rep instructions after asterisk as indicated.

Pattern Notes

• Brim band is knit flat then seamed. Rest of hat is knit in the round up to the crown. St marker is slipped each round.
• Customize the size by seaming the band when it is the right length to ensure the hat will have the perfect fit. After band is complete, pick up sts in multiples of 6.

Pattern Instructions

• With CA, CO 18 sts.

Brim band

• Row 1: (RS) P2, (k6, p2) twice.
• Row 2: K2, (p6, k2) twice.
• Rows 3-4: Rep Rows 1–2.
• Row 5: P2, (C6F, p2) twice.
• Row 6: Rep Row 2.
• Rep Rows 1–6 until brim band measures approximately 21″ (53 cm) or desired length, ending after Row 6. BO as for pattern for Row 1, leaving long yarn tail for seaming. With yarn needle, sew short ends together on wrong side.

Hat body

• With RS facing and CB, pick up 102 sts around long edge of band. Place stitch marker, join, and begin working in the round.
• Rnd 1: (RS) *P2, k4; rep from * around.
• Rnds 2–4: Rep Rnd 1, 3 times.
• Rnd 5: *P2, C4F; rep from * around.
• Rnd 6: Rep Rnd 1 once.
• Rep Rnds 1–6 until hat measures approximately 7.5″ (19 cm) from beginning of brim, ending after Rnd 6.

Shape crown

• Rnd 7: *P2, (k2tog) twice; rep from * around. (68 sts)
• Rnd 8: *P2, k2; rep from * around.
• Rnd 9: *P2tog, k2; rep from * around. (51 sts)
• Rnd 10: *P1, k2; rep from * around.
• Rnd 11: *P1, C2F; rep from * around.
• Rnd 12: Rep Rnd 10.
• Rnd 13: *P1, k2tog; rep from * around. (34 sts)
• Rnd 14: P2tog, *k2tog, p2tog; rep from * around. (17 sts)
• Rnd 15: P1, *k2tog; rep from * around, remove marker. (9 sts)
• Fasten off with long yarn tail for seaming.

Finishing

• Thread yarn tail through yarn needle. Pull yarn tail firmly through remaining sts several times, drawing tightly to close crown. Remove sts from needle. With yarn needle, weave in ends on inside of hat.

Pompom (optional)

• With one strand of each yarn and pompom maker, follow manufacturer’s instructions to create pom pom, or make by hand following this tutorial by Oombawka Design Crochet.

© 2013, 2015 by Marie Segares (Underground Crafter). This pattern is for personal use only. You may use the pattern to make unlimited items for yourself, for charity, or to give as gifts. You may sell items you personally make by hand from this pattern. Do not violate Marie’s copyright by distributing this pattern or the photos in any form, including but not limited to scanning, photocopying, emailing, or posting on a website or internet discussion group. If you want to share the pattern, point your friends to this link: http://undergroundcrafter.com/2015/10/08/free-knitting-pattern-on-the-slopes-hat/. Thanks for supporting indie designers!