Cable and Seed Stitch Baby Hat

First up, let me clarify that this is actually a Debbie Bliss pattern.  But the original was written so you'd knit the hat flat and seam it up.  Which we all know is sort of a dumb way to knit a hat.  Also, the decreases at the top of the hat lacked elegance.  I reworked them so they are incorporated in the stitch pattern.  And in this pattern, I used Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino, which resulted in a smaller gauge.

And finally, please note the big asterisks by the circumference.  **I realized when I was nearly finished with the hat, that one of my two circulars was actually a size 2 instead of a size 3.  Oops.  When I knit in the round, I do this complicated moving the project around the needles so I don't get a jog.  So some of these stitches were knit on size 2 needles instead of size 3 and because of this, the circumference may not be totally accurate.  Since I need another hat for the other baby, this hat will get knit again and I'll update it with the accurate measurements. I will also update it with the accurate seed stitch gauge.  The stockinette gauge is given so you have some sort of gauge to go by.

Materials

Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino, Fingering Merino Cashmere or Sock Yarn.  Yarn shown is Fingering Silky Merino in a Limited Edition colorway and you'll need about 30 grams of Fingering Silky Merino.

U.S. size 3/3.25mm needles, either DPNs or Circular(s).

Cable needle

Tapestry needle for finishing

Stitch marker

Gauge

10cm / 4 inches = 30 sts / 36 rows in stockinette stitch.

Size

0-6 months, 13.5 inches in circumference, unstretched. **see note above pattern.

 

Abbreviations

CO = cast on

St st = stockinette stitch

Seed Stitch = 1^st row – knit one, purl one.  2^nd row – purl one, knit one

C3B = slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, knit 3 stitches, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.

K2tog = knit two stitches together

P2tog = purl two stitches together

Inc = knit into the front and back loop of the stitch

 

The Pattern

Brim

CO 102 stitches, join for working in the round, being careful not to twist work and placing stitch marker between the first and last stitch.

 

St st 6 rows.

Increase row: [Knit 16, inc 1] repeat to end (108 stitches).

 

Cable and Seed stitch section

Round 1-4: [Seed stitch 12 stitches, knit 6 stitches] repeat to end.

Round 5: [Seed stitch 12 stitches, C3B] repeat to end.

These 5 rows form the pattern. Continue on in pattern until 6 more cables have been worked, for a total of 7 cables/35 rows.

 

Crown

You will now begin decreasing. Continue the C3B every 5 rounds.

 

Round 1: [Seed stitch 10 stitches, K2tog or P2tog,* knit 6] repeat to end. P2tog, if it is a purl, K2tog.

Round 2: [Seed stitch 11** stitches, knit 6 stitches] repeat to end. **the number of stitches that should be knit in seed stitch will decreased by 1 after each round 1 worked.

 

Repeat these two rounds 3 more times. (84 sts)

Repeat Round 1* every round until 1 purl stitch remains between cables.  This round looks best if the decrease is a P2tog.  (42 sts)

 

*If you are currently on a K2tog, switch to a P2tog, incorporating the P2tog into the seed stitch pattern as you see fit.

Purl the purl stitches and K2tog the 2 edge stitches on each side of the cables. (30 sts)

Purl the purl stitches and K2tog the center 2 stitches of the cables. (24sts)

[P2tog, K2tog] repeat to end (12 sts). Repeat this round 2 more times (3sts).

 

I-Cord

With the 3 stitches on 1 DPN or circular needle, knit all 3 stitches, slip stitches to the beginning of the needle, knit the 3 stitches again. Continue until I-cord is 1 1⁄4 inch long. Cast-off.

 

Weave in ends.  Do not block hat.  Washing is optional.

 

Notes

This hat is easily increased in size. Simply add a seventh panel of seed stitch and cable, by increasing the cast on amount by 17 stitches for a total of 119 stitches. You may also want to add an eighth cable twist for a total of 40 rows before you begin the decreases. You will need additional yarn, but no more than 1 skein of the 3 suggested yarns.