There’s something extra special about a project that feels grounded — literally. Cozy cables, real wool, and a design that invites you to slow down and enjoy the stitches. The Keystone Cable Knit Hat was created for Turkey Trot 2025 with exactly that in mind: a comforting, confidence-building knit that feels just as good on your needles as it does on your head.
This is one of those hats you’ll reach for again and again — to knit, to gift, and to wear — because the design is timeless, the cables are approachable, and the finished fabric is beautifully stretchy and comfortable.
Quick Pattern Overview
The Keystone Cable Knit Hat is a bottom-up knit hat worked in the round, featuring bold yet easy-to-memorize cable panels that behave like ribbing for a flexible, comfortable fit.
In this post you’ll learn:
Why this cable pattern is perfect for adventurous beginners
How the design evolved from a larger garment project
Yarn options and how fiber choice changes the finished hat
Styling ideas to make the hat uniquely yours
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A Confidence-Building Take on Cables
Cables don’t have to be complicated to be impressive. The Keystone Cable Knit Hat was designed as a study in cable stitches — bold, structured, and visually striking, without being intimidating.
The cable panels are rhythmic and easy to remember, which means you spend less time staring at instructions and more time enjoying the flow of the knitting. It’s an ideal introduction to working cables in the round, and yes — you can absolutely work these cables with or without a cable needle.
✨ Designer Tip: Skipping the cable needle once you’re comfortable can dramatically speed things up and make this hat a fantastic “TV knitting” project.
What You Will Love About This Pattern
Adventurous beginner–friendly cable work
Worked in the round from the bottom up
Bold, defined cables that stretch comfortably when worn
Multiple sizes included for a wide range of heads
Optional double brim for extra warmth
Pom-pom friendly (or leave it clean and classic)
Easy to customize with labels or embellishments
📌 Turkey Trot 2025 Workshop here (Access inside the Marly Bird House with unlimited viewing and bonus material)
“This is the kind of cable hat that makes you feel proud while you’re knitting it — and even prouder when you wear it.”
Marly Bird
Design, Fit, and Construction Details
The Keystone Cable Knit Hat is designed to fit snugly while still being incredibly comfortable. The cable panels act like ribbing, allowing the fabric to stretch significantly when worn and relax beautifully when off the needles.
Because of that stretch, the hat feels secure without being tight, making it great for everyday wear — from brisk fall walks to chilly winter errands. You can also adjust the height easily, creating a more fitted or slouchy look depending on your style.
Yarn Choices & Fiber Notes
For Turkey Trot 2025, this hat was intentionally designed using Universal Yarns Deluxe Worsted, a natural wool yarn that highlights the structure and definition of the cables beautifully.
Why wool works so well here:
Excellent stitch definition for cables
Natural elasticity enhances the stretch of the design
Warm without being bulky
That said, this pattern is flexible. If you prefer an acrylic or wool-blend yarn, you can absolutely substitute — just know that fiber choice will affect drape, warmth, and stitch crispness.
If you’re looking for great worsted-weight substitutions, these are solid options that work beautifully for cable projects:
Strong, architectural cable panels that feel modern and timeless
Optional double brim for added warmth
Pom-pom ready crown (faux fur looks fabulous here 😄)
Easy to personalize with a removable pom or a leather label
Adding a small leather tag with rivets is a simple way to give this hat a polished, handmade-boutique feel — perfect for gifting or personal wear.
Keystone Cable Knit Hat Pattern Details
Designed by Marly Bird
SKILL LEVEL
Adventurous Beginner
MEASUREMENTS
To Fit Sizes
Baby – Toddler (Child, Teen – Adult S, Adult M – Adult L)
Sample is size Adult M-Adult L
To fit head circumference ranges:
12 – 14¼ (14¼ – 16½, 16½ – 19½ , 19½ – 22½ )”
[30.5 – 36 (36 – 42, 42 – 49.5, 49.5 – 57) cm]
Finished Measurements
Note: Hat fabric is extremely stretchy. The Cable Panels pattern behaves like a rib and so the measurements are flexible. The circumference of the Hat can grow up to 25-30% when worn, so be sure to choose a size that is smaller than your real head circumference when laid flat.
Circumference when laid flat:11½ (13¾, 16, 18¼)” [37 (44.5, 51.5, 59) cm]
Kfb – Knit into the front and back of the same stitch (see Special Stitches)
P – Purl
P2tog – Purl 2 together
Pfb – Purl into the front and back of the same stitch (see Special Stitches)
RS – Right Side
Sl – Slip
Ssk – Slip, slip, knit (see Special Stitches)
St(s) – Stitches
WS – Wrong side
SPECIAL STITCHES
⭐️ Ssk (Slip, Slip, Knit): Slip 2 stitches, one at a time, as if to knit. Insert left hand needle into the front of these 2 stitches and knit them together from this position – 1 stitch decreased.
⭐️ Kfb (Knit Front & Back): Knit through front and back of next stitch – 1 stitch increased.
⭐️ Pfb (Purl Front & Back): Purl through front and back of next stitch – 1 stitch increased.
CABLE STITCHES
⭐️ 2/2 LC (2/2 Left Cable): Slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2 from left hand needle, k2 from cable needle.
⭐️ 2/2 RC (2/2 Right Cable): Slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2 from left hand needle, k2 from cable needle.
⭐️ 2/1 LPC (2/1 Left Purl Cable): Slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold in front, p1 from left hand needle, k2 from cable needle.
⭐️ 2/1 RPC (2/1 Right Purl Cable): Slip 1 st onto cable needle and hold in back, k2 from left hand needle, p1 from cable needle.
Directions are for the smallest size; changes for larger sizes are in parentheses. When only one number is given then that number applies to all sizes.
Hat is worked in the round from the bottom up.
Hat fabric is extremely stretchy. The Cable Panels pattern behaves like a rib, and so the measurements are flexible. The circumference of the Hat can grow up to 25-30% when worn, so be sure to choose a size where the Hat is smaller, when laid flat, than your real head circumference.
Optional double-brim may increase the amount of yarn required.
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📌 Turkey Trot 2025 Workshop here (Access inside the Marly Bird House with unlimited viewing and bonus material)
Join round being careful to not twist cast-on edge, and place a marker to mark beginning of round.
Work in 1 x 1 Rib for ¾ (1, 1, 1)” [2 (2.5, 2.5, 2.5) cm].
For Double Brim Option Only:
Next Round: Knit.
Work in 1 x 1 Rib for the same number of rounds as in the first ribbed section, then work 2 additional rounds.
Fold brim to the wrong side so the cast on row is next to the row on the needles, and join the cast on edge to the working round as follows:
Next Round: *Insert right needle into next st on left needle and into the corresponding cast-on st at the same time and knit these two sts together; repeat from * for each st around.
BODY
Single Brim – Increase Round
For Size Teen – Adult S only:
Next Round (increase round): * Work 5 sts in established 1 x 1 Rib, pfb; repeat from * around.
Count:112 sts.
For Sizes Baby – Toddler, Child, and Adult M – Adult L Only:
Next Round (increase round): * Work 8 (10, x, 6) sts in established 1 x 1 Rib, kfb, Work 8 (10, x, 6) sts in established 1 x 1 Rib, pfb; repeat from * around.
Count:80 (96, x, 128) sts.
(Optional) Double Brim — Increase Round
For All Sizes:
Next Round (increase round): * Work 8 (10, 5, 6) sts in stockinette stitch, kfb, repeat from * around.
Count:80 (96, 112, 128) sts.
BODY OF HAT CABLES
For All Sizes:
Count:80 (96, 112, 128) sts.
Work evenly in Cable Panels pattern for 31 (39, 43, 41) rounds starting with pattern Round #11 (3, 11, 1), and ending after a pattern Round #5.
Adult M-Adult Large Please note:For a more petite hat, stop here and move to the crown. For a taller hat (which will also match the sample and the 10” height) add 12 more rounds. For reference: sample yellow hat is an Adult Medium-Large and is worked for 53 rounds ending after a pattern round 5. Before the crown shaping it measured 8.75″ tall and after the crown it is 10″ tall.
CROWN SHAPING
Note: Change to double-pointed needles when sts become too tight to fit around circular.
Use tapestry needle to slide tail knitwise through all remaining sts, then pull tight like a drawstring.
Thread yarn tail to inside and secure.
Weave in all loose ends. Attach pompom and leather tag (optional).
Styling & Wearability
This is a truly wearable cable hat. Dress it up with a wool coat and boots, or toss it on with a puffer jacket and sneakers. It works just as well for outdoor walks as it does for everyday errands.
Go classic with a solid color, bold with a faux fur pom-pom, or minimalist with a clean crown and subtle label — the Keystone Cable Knit Hat adapts to your style.
More Marly Bird Patterns You’ll Love
If you enjoy this style of knitting, you may also love:
These are great follow-up projects for knitters who want to continue building cable confidence.
Want to Build Your Cable Confidence?
If you’re ready to take cables further — from hats to garments — explore the technique-driven patterns and learning resources inside Marly Bird House, where skills are supported with clear instructions and video tutorials.
📌 Turkey Trot 2025 Workshop here (Access inside the Marly Bird House with unlimited viewing and bonus material)
Is the Keystone Cable Knit Hat beginner-friendly? Yes. This pattern is ideal for adventurous beginners who want to try cables in a supportive, approachable way.
Do I need a cable needle? No. You can use one if you like, but the cables can also be worked without a cable needle.
Is this hat knit in the round? Yes, it’s worked in the round from the brim up to the crown.
How stretchy is the finished hat? Very stretchy. The cable panels behave like ribbing and expand comfortably when worn.
Can I use acrylic yarn instead of wool? Absolutely. Wool offers the best stitch definition, but acrylic and blends will still work well.
Does the pattern include multiple sizes? Yes, it includes sizes ranging from baby through adult.
How long does it take to knit? Most knitters finish this hat in a weekend or a few relaxed evenings.
Can I add a pom-pom? Yes! Faux fur pom-poms are especially fun and easy to swap out.
Is this a good gift knit? Definitely — it’s classic, cozy, and easy to personalize.
Final Thoughts
The Keystone Cable Knit Hat proves that cables don’t have to be complicated to be stunning. It’s thoughtful, wearable, and designed to help knitters feel confident every step of the way.
If you make one (or three 😉), be sure to share it and let me know how it turned out. #marlybird #mmmdi
Marly is a knitwear and crochet designer (and yarn addict) that is here to help you learn how to knit and crochet in a way that's fun and approachable.
