American Girl Hat (free knit chunky cable hat pattern)
Colorway Two: Moonstone
How do you knit a chunky cable hat? It’s easy! This chunky Free Knit Hat Pattern is Elegantly simple with cables that whip up in no time!
There are few things I like more than knit cable hats, which you have probably already figured out about me.
Cables can be crazy complicated or deliciously simple. The American Girl Hat is the latter. This free easy cable knit hat pattern is quick and easy and I’m going to go ahead and bet you can’t make just one!
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How many times have you worked with a yarn and wanted to make a million pieces out of that one yarn in every single colorway?
That is how I feel about the base “Home” by Madelinetosh. It is 100% Superwash Merino Wool and 1,000% delicious, soft, and buttery. I’m not sure there is a Madelinetosh yarn colorway that I don’t love.
Sadly, this yarn has become hard to find these days. But don’t worry, I have plenty of other options for you that are just as delicious!
But when it comes to designing hats (which I seem to be unable to stop doing right now), I often find a groove and as I am working on one design, I get ideas for other designs and I just can’t knit fast enough!
As I was knitting this hat, I was mentally working my way thru three other ways to bring cables to this yarn. With the perfect yardage for a hat, each skein I buy begs to be a cabled hat every single time.
So many reasons why you will love this chunky cabled knit hat pattern
I love knit hats that whip up quickly and look more complicated than they really are. The American Girl Hat knits up fast and will have your friends begging you to knit one for them!
This easy cable knit hat can be knit out of any color, but I recommend you use a lighter color that doesn’t have a busy pattern to allow for the simplicity of the cables to pop.
There is only one cable technique that might take a bit of practice, but don’t worry, it’s not too crazy and if you have any troubles, you can check out the Learn with Knitsy Academy for full project video tutorials.
I named this piece after one of my favorite songs by Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers. This song popped on my shuffled iTunes as I was knitting away and so I jotted down at the top of my notes “American Girl Hat” and it just stuck.
Tom Petty was one of the greats. I grew up listening to his music and was devastated when I learned of his tragic death. This free cable knit hat pattern is dedicated to him and I hope the classic song, American Girl, sticks in your head as you are knitting away.
AMERICAN GIRL Hat Pattern (free easy knit cable hat pattern)
Inspired by Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Doesn’t everyone need something a little slouchy and a lot colorful in their hat collection? I definitely think so! I am the perfect hat to knit up in all your favorite shades of the rainbow. The cherry on top is when you finish me off with a furry pom pom in a complimentary color and I’m ready to party!
MATERIALS
Yarn
Madelinetosh “Home”
110 yards/100 meters; Worsted
100% Superwash Merino Wool
1 skein
Colorway One: Spirit Fingers
Colorway Two: Moonstone
Instagram: @madelinetosh
Since Madelinetosh “Home” is hard to find, here are some other options:
Malabrigo “Chunky” (1 skein)
Malabrigo “Mecha” (1 skein)
Cascade “128 Superwash” (1 skein)
Knit Picks “Chroma Twist Bulky” (1 skein)
Knit Picks “Wool of the Andes Superwash Bulky” (1 skein)
Knit Picks “Biggo” (1 skein)
Needles
US 10/6.0 mm 16” circular needle
US 10.5/6.5 mm 16” circular needle
US 10.5/6.5 mm DPNs, second circular, OR 40” circular needle for magic loop
I love to use these metal Knit Picks needles or these wood Knit Picks needles.
If you really want to splurge. My ABSOLUTE favorite needle set is the ChiaoGoo 4” interchangeable needles.
Notions
2 Cable Needles
6 inch Pom Pom (I buy mine from FFFabuknits, Thread Head Knits, or I Dream of Yarn)
Stitch Marker
Scissors
Tapestry Needle
Gauge
14 sts and 16 rows = 4 in/10 cm in stockinette stitch on larger needle
Finished Measurements
To fit head circumference: 22 in / 56 cm
Colorway Two. This easy knit hat will keep you warm when doing some photography in the snow!
Notes
You will be using two cable needles. The first is represented as “cn1” and the second is “cn2.”
Pattern is a multiple of 8. You can make your hat larger or smaller by adding or subtracting multiples of 8. You will need more yarn if you make your hat larger.
When you get to the decrease section and the stitches begin to become tight around your needle, switch to your preferred method of working in the round: DPNs, two circular needles, or magic loop.
Abbreviations
*. . .* - repeat between asterisks
bor – beginning of rnd
C2L – place next st on cn and hold to front, P1, K1 st off cn
C2R – place next st on cn and hold to back, K1, P1 st off cn
cn – cable needle
C3XL – place next st on cn1 and hold to front, place next st on cn2 and hold to back, K1, P1 off cn2, K1 off cn1
P3tog – purl three together (2 dec)
rnd/rnds – round/rounds
sl – slip stitch(es) purlwise with yarn in back
sl2K1p2sso – slip 2 sts together purlwise, K1, pass 2 slipped sts over the K1 (2 dec)
sm – stitch marker
st/sts – stitch/stitches
Colorway One: Spirit Fingers
The Pattern
Using long tail cast on and smaller needle, CO 72 sts. Join to work in the rnd. Place sm to note bor and be careful not to twist.
*K2, P2* for 10 rnds.
Switch to larger 16” needle.
Rnd 2 : *sl1, P3* around
Rnd 3 : *C2L, P1, C2R, P3* around
Rnd 4 : P1, *sl1, P1, sl1, P5* to last 7 sts, sl1, P1, sl1, P4
Rnd 5 : P1, *C3XL, P5* to last 7 sts, C3XL, P4
Rnd 6 : P1, *sl1, P1, sl1, P5* to last 7 sts, sl1, P1, sl1, P4
Rnd 7 : *C2R, P1, C2L, P3* around
Rnd 8 : *sl1, P3* around
Rnd 9 : *K1, P3* around
Rnd 10 : *sl1, P3* around
Work last 10 rnds a total of 3 times.
Work rnds 1 – 3 one more time.
Colorway Two is picture perfect!
Crown Decreasing
Next Rnd: P1, (*sl1, P1* twice, P3tog, P1*) to last 7 sts, *sl1, P1* twice, P3tog – 54 sts
Next Rnd: P1, *C3XL, P3* to last 5 sts, C3XL, P2
Next Rnd: P1, *sl1, P1, sl1, P3tog* to last 5 sts, sl1, P1, sl1, P3tog (you will need to remove the bor sm and replace it to your right needle after you work the last P3tog) – 36 sts
Next Rnd: *K3, P1* around
Next Rnd: *sl2K1p2sso, P1* around – 18 sts
Next Rnd: *K1, P1* around
Next Rnd: *K1, sl2K1p2sso* to last 2 sts, K2 – 10 sts
Cut yarn leaving a tail. Weave tail through remaining live sts several times and cinch tight. Weave in your ends. If necessary, block lightly. Attach pom pom to top.
Enjoy your new chunky cable knit hat by cranking up the music and getting your dance on!
Leave a comment below and don’t forget to share this pattern with friends and family. And please tag me @explorewithknitsy and use hashtags #americangirlhat and #explorewithknitsy so I can see your amazing hats!
If you love hats with cables, I’ve got you covered! The Jerome Hat has all-over cables that create a really fun textured hat.
And if you want to throw in a color element, pop on over to the Austin Hat and work cables over a colorful background!
Colorway One: Spirit Fingers
Join fellow knitters inside the Learn with Knitsy Academy and learn to make this project one step at a time. Lots of tricks and techniques are taught and the finishing tips will make your hat flawless!
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PDF download of the Arctic Circle Hat pattern. This single pattern is ad free.
You’ll receive an email with a link to an immediately downloadable PDF so you can start knitting right away! Do you want step by step tutorials to make this hat? Click here and check out this cowl in The Knitting Rockstar Academy and upgrade your knitting skills!
[Please note that this is only the pattern for our Arctic Circle Hat, not a finished hat.]