UPDATED: New and improved, no longer tends to come to a point on smaller heads. Cable pattern is simplified, and charts are included for the decrease pattern at the crown.

A fantastic super-warm last-minute winter gift, this hat knits up from a little more than one skein of worsted-weight yarn in just a few hours. The cables add interest, but depending on your color choice it can be suitable for men or women. It’s even stretchy enough that you probably don’t have to measure the wearer’s head, and the small size will even fit middleschool aged kids. Make it a set with the matching neckwarmer to keep your loved ones even toastier. Both the hat and neckwarmer patterns are also available for bulky-weight yarn.