This easy hat with dense squishy cables will knit up quickly and keep your ears warm all the way through the cold months until Spring finally pitches up. If you’re an experienced knitter then you’ll knit this up in no time, and if you’re a beginner then it’s the perfect pattern to introduce you to cables and working in the round. Instructions include suggestions for how to alter the pattern in a variety of ways, including what to do if you worry you might be short of yarn. Enjoy!

YARN:
For STRIPED version: approx 160 yards of main colour (MC) DK weight yarn and approx 120 yards of contrast colour (CC) DK weight yarn. I used John Lewis Merino Blend Double Knit (1 50g skein each of MC and CC). This allows enough CC yarn to make a pompom.
For SINGLE COLOUR version: approx 260 yards DK weight yarn. I used 2 x 50g skeins of Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK. You will probably need a 3rd skein to make a pompom.

NEEDLES:
4mm (US 6) 50 cm (20 inches) circular needles for ribbing (or whatever length you feel comfortable using for knitting in the round – this could be DPNs if you prefer)
4.5 mm (US 7) 50 cm (20 inches) circular needles for main hat (or whatever length you feel comfortable using for knitting in the round – this could be DPNs if you prefer)
4.5 mm (US 7) DPNs (to complete the crown)

GAUGE AND SIZING:
Exact gauge is not crucial on this pattern – the squishy cable rib pulls in enough for small (adult) heads and stretches enough for larger ones. However the sample hats have a gauge of 30 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm/4 inches over the unstretched cable pattern.