Gingerbread Hat

The Gingerbread Hat was my very first pattern! I have been so happy that so many people like it and have made one! I wrote it out of necessity, because I couldn’t find a cabled hat pattern I liked well enough, so I made up my own. I found an aran stitch pattern that I liked at Lion Brand. I changed it a little, from a 4 stitch cable to a 6-stitch cable and wrote up the instructions for the one I made for my daughter Emma, the smallest size. She was about 7 years old, at the time. I did a little math and included instructions for the medium and large for tweens/teens and adults.

I have included some photos of various versions you can make. If you want the cables to pop and be the star, then use solid to semi-solid colored yarns: solid, heathered and tweed yarns can add some texture without making the cable pattern less visible. Many knitters also knit a much longer ribbing that can be folded and also used a smaller needle for the brim, which can make the fit of the hat a little more snug. Pom-poms, ear flaps, etc…have fun! Here’s the pattern!

Difficulty: Intermediate

Finished Size: 20″(21″, 23″) Circumference

Needles: Size 8 – 16 inch circular needle and a set of 4 US size 8 double point needles (you can use a size 7 -16 inch circular for the brim, if you like, but it isn’t mandatory)

Yarn: Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool. Any worsted or aran weight yarn will work well. Popular choices include: Vanna’s Choice, Paton’s Classic Wool and Lion Brand Wool Ease. I love the ones I made with Berocco Vintage and Plymouth Encore.

Gauge: 5 stitches and 6 rows equal 1 inch

You’ll also need: cable needle, scissors, darning needle, stitch marker(s)

Stitches:
K2,P2 Rib: *knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches – repeat to end of round. Repeat for required number of rounds.
K2tog: knit 2 stitches together(right leaning decrease)
SSK: slip, slip, knit: slip next two stitches individually knitwise and knit both these sts. together through the back loops (left leaning
decrease)
P2tog: purl next two stitches. together(decrease)
C6F: slip 3 stitches. to cable needle and hold in front. K3, k3 from cable needle.
S2KP: Slip 2 stitches together, as if to knit onto right hand needle, Knit next stitch, pass 2 slipped stitches over knitted stitch. (one double decrease made)
Begin Gingerbread Cable Pattern as follows:
CO 84(96,108) sts. onto US8 16″ circular needle. Place marker and join for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist. Knit this first row in k2, p2 rib.

Continue in ribbing for 8 rounds. Round 1: *K6, P1, K4, P1 – repeat from * around.
Round 2: *K6, P1, K1, P2, K1, P1- repeat from * around.
Round 3: *C6F,P1, K4, P1 – repeat from * around
Round 4: repeat round 2
Round 5: repeat round 1
Round 6: repeat round 2
Repeat cable pattern 5 (6, 7) times more. Begin decrease rounds.

Begin Decreases: Note-if you would like a more rounded decrease for this hat, add a knit row between each decrease row.
Knitting this decrease as written yields a slightly gathered look at the top of the hat.

DR1: *SSK, K2, K2tog, P1, K4, P1 Repeat from * around.
DR2: *S2KP, K1, P1, K1, P2tog, K1, P1 Repeat from * around.
DR3: *(K2tog)3 times, p1 Repeat from * around.
Switch to DPN’s at this point, arranging stitches evenly around.
DR4: Knit around
DR5: K2tog around
DR6: K2tog around
Break yarn and pull through remaining loops using tapestry needle. Pull tight, pull tail to inside of hat and weave in ends.