Frondescence: the process or period of putting forth leaves.

This top-down cabled hat has a lovely cabled motifs that unfurl from a top-down cast on like the opening of leaves in spring. It’s also a great small project to try out a new bind off. I actually developed the Hybrid Bind Off as a solution for top down sweaters, where I needed a finish that was sufficiently stretchy not to be uncomfortably constricting, but not so stretchy that it caused an unattractive flare at the bottom of a garment. It is now my go-to bind off for this situation. I also like it for sweater cuffs and the edge of picked up necklines and, of course, top down hats.

As the name suggests, this bind off was created by combining two well-known bind offs; one firm (a basic bind off) and one stretchy (the lace bind off). It’s one of those things that seems so obvious as a solution that you think it must be out there already. And, probably, it is. But as I couldn’t personally find it in any published material, I thought it well worth putting out there for those other knitters who haven’t thought of it yet.

As well as being very simple and easy to remember, it has the great advantage of being adjustable in terms of how much stretch you need for a certain project. I usually use this bind off as written here with one stitch bound off with the firm bind off method, followed by one stretchy. This is great for ribbing. You can, however, move the dial towards more stretch or firmness by working a different ratio of the two methods – for example a firmer bind off could be created by working two basic bind offs followed by a stretchy one. Try it out on other stitches and see what works for you!

SIZE
Age approx. 18 mo–4 years4 years-–adult S, adult L
to fit head circumference of approximately 17.75-20.520.75-21.75, 22-24 inches/ 45-5253-55, 56-61 cm
Shown in size ? above, size ? below

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Head circumference: 1518, 21 inches/ 3846, 53.5 cm
Length: 6.58.25, 9.25 inches/ 16.521, 23.5 cm, adjustable to fit – see Patterns Notes below

MATERIALS

Yarn
spacer Cascade Yarns, Cascade 220100% wool; 220 yds/200 m per 3.53 oz/100 g skein; color: Celery; 1 skein or approx. 85128, 167 yds or 77117, 153 m

Yarn Characteristics:
The sample shown uses a worsted-weight, worsted spun, 100% wool yarn which is next-to-skin soft. Choose a yarn with good stitch definition and which you find comfortable next to the skin. The patterning looks best with a solid or nearly-solid color; busy variegated yarns could hide it.

Recommended needle size

(always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below - every knitter’s gauge is unique)
US #7/4.5mm needles for small circumference in the round
US #7/4.5mm 16 inch/40 cm25 circular needle
US #6/4mm 16 inch/40 cm circular needle

Notions
stitch markers – at least 1 removeable
cable needle
yarn needle

GAUGE
20 sts/25 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch
21 sts/25 rounds = 4 inches/10 cm in pattern stitch

Note: gauge is always measured after blocking.