Looking for a cozy and stylish free cable beanie pattern? Visit my hat pattern page for more like this!
There’s something deeply satisfying about watching cables twist their way up a beanie while sipping a hot drink and ignoring your laundry pile. If you’re nodding along, you’re in the right place. I’m thrilled to walk you through the making of my latest free cable beanie pattern—a squishy, textured dream that blends elegance and warmth in just the right proportions.
This particular pattern is tucked at the bottom of this post, but if you’re hungry for more cozy options, you can find even more goodies on my hat pattern page. Now, let’s chat cables!
Why a Free Cable Beanie Pattern?
Every year when the first chilly breeze rolls through Montana, I get the itch to start a new beanie. Something soft, stylish, and full of detail. That’s when I turn to a free cable beanie pattern like this one. Cables have a way of adding just enough flair without making the project feel like a full-on sweater commitment. Bonus: they make great gifts too!
The Yarn That Made This Beanie Shine
To make this free cable beanie pattern extra special, I reached for KnitPicks Capra yarn (affiliate link). Let me tell you, if I could only knit with one yarn all winter, this would be the one. It’s an 85% merino, 15% cashmere blend that makes you want to knit just one more row… every single time.
Not only does Capra (affiliate link) feel amazing, but it also gives the cables that lovely, crisp stitch definition. I picked a deep navy for this version, but honestly, any color in their lineup would shine. That slight halo from the cashmere? Chef’s kiss.
Designing the Cable Beanie
This free cable beanie pattern started with a sketch on the back of a homeschool planner page (yep, real life). I wanted something that looked complex but wasn’t actually difficult to knit—just enough to keep it fun without having to frog it six times because you missed a twist.
The cables run vertically with a neat rhythm, and I added a classic ribbed brim for structure. One of my favorite parts of designing this pattern was the crown—those cable decreases come together like a finishing bow on a present. If you’re the kind of knitter who appreciates tidy geometry, this one’s for you.
Knitting the Free Cable Beanie Pattern
Once I cast on with that delicious Capra yarn (affiliate link), I knew I was in for a treat. The yarn glides effortlessly, and each cable twist feels like a little reward. The ribbing flew by, and when I hit the cable section, I found myself entering that knitting zen zone—where everything clicks and you suddenly forget what time it is (and possibly that you were supposed to start dinner an hour ago).
The yarn’s softness was like a cozy hug for my hands. Every time I picked it up, I remembered why I love designing free cable beanie patterns so much.
Blocking Brings It to Life
After I finished the final decreases and bound off, I gave the beanie a gentle block. Nothing fancy—just enough to even out the stitches and let the cables bloom. If you’ve ever blocked a project and said, Wow, I really made that?, you know the feeling. That’s exactly what happened here.
The cables opened up beautifully, and the crown shaping came together just like I hoped. Blocking took this free cable beanie pattern from great to professional.
A Beanie Worth Keeping… and Gifting
Once it was done, I popped it on my head and wore it around the house for a while, just to make sure it was really done (okay, and because it felt amazing). The snug ribbing, the soft halo from the Capra yarn (affiliate link), the intricate cables—all of it added up to one of my favorite beanies I’ve ever knit.
I’ve already made a few more using this free cable beanie pattern in other colors. My teens have snagged two. My sister dropped not-so-subtle hints. And yes, I’m thinking of knitting one in a bold red next.
Why You’ll Love This Free Cable Beanie Pattern
If you’re looking for a project that’s:
- Engaging but not overwhelming,
- Stylish enough to wear anywhere,
- And cozy enough for Montana winters (or wherever your chilly air lives),
…this free cable beanie pattern is calling your name.
It’s approachable for intermediate knitters, and if you’re newer to cables, don’t worry! The pattern keeps things tidy and intuitive, so you can enjoy the process without fear of a tangled mess.
A Few Tips Before You Cast On
- Use a yarn that highlights your stitches. Capra (affiliate link) is perfect, but anything with good stitch definition will do.
- Don’t skip the blocking step! It really transforms the finished beanie.
- Mark your cable rows with a stitch marker or row counter—you’ll thank yourself later.
- And finally, trust the process. The crown shaping might look a little wonky before blocking, but it all comes together in the end.
The Pattern (Finally!)
You’ve made it to the good part! THIS free cable beanie pattern is waiting for you at the bottom of this post. Just scroll down and enjoy—no email walls, no gimmicks. I believe in making beautiful things accessible to every knitter.
But if you’re itching for more hats to add to your queue, don’t forget to check out the full hat pattern collection here.
Final Thoughts
Knitting this free cable beanie pattern was such a joy from start to finish. The yarn (especially Capra (affiliate link)) made every stitch a treat, and the final beanie is both wearable and giftable. If you’ve been waiting for a sign to try your hand at cables or just want a cozy project for the season, this is it.
So grab your needles, queue up a cozy playlist, and cast on something lovely today. I can’t wait to hear how yours turns out—let me know in the comments or tag me in your project photos!
Happy cabling!
Materials and Info
Materials needed: 55-150yds of dk weight yarn (I used KnitPicks Capra), size 8 dpn and a cable needle
Sizes – preemie (10ins), newborn (13ins), baby (15ins), toddler (17ins), child (19ins), teen/sm adult (21ins), large adult (23ins)
Gauge – 4sts/1in in stockinette st – ~Gauge is very important!~
Stitch Key:
K – knit
P – purl
k2tog – knit 2 together
ssk – slip slip knit
ft – k the 2nd st on the needle, passing in front of the1st st, then k the 1st st, slipping both off the needle at the same time
cb6 – sl the next 3 sts onto you cable needle, hold in back, k the next 3 sts, k the 3 sts on your cable needle
Cables in Cashmere Pattern
Preemie
Cast on 48sts
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 24 – [k6, p2tog, ft, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (40sts)
Round 25 – [k6, p1, k2, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 26 – [k6, p1, k2tog, p1] repeat [ ] around (36sts)
Round 27 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (28sts)
Round 28 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 29 – knit around
Round 30 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (20sts)
Round 31 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (12sts)
Round 32 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (8sts)
Newborn
Cast on 60sts
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 18 – repeat round 2
Round 19-21 – repeat round 1
Round 22 – repeat round 10
Round 23 – repeat round 1
Round 24 – [k6, p2tog, k2, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (50sts)
Round 25 – [k6, p1, k2, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 26 – [k6, p1, k2tog, p1] repeat [ ] around (45sts)
Round 27 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (35sts)
Round 28 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 29 – knit around
Round 30 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (25sts)
Round 31 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (15sts)
Round 32 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (10sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Baby
Cast on 72sts
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 18 – repeat round 2
Round 19-21 – repeat round 1
Round 22 – repeat round 10
Round 23 -25 – repeat round 1
Round 26 – repeat round 2
Round 27 – repeat round 1
Round 28 – repeat round 4
Round 29 – repeat round 1
Round 30– [k6, p2, k2tog, p2] repeat [ ] around (66sts)
Round 31 – [k6, p2tog, k1, p2] repeat [ ] around (60sts)
Round 32 – [k6, p1, k1, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (54sts)
Round 33 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (42sts)
Round 34 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 35 – knit around
Round 36 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (30sts)
Round 37 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (18sts)
Round 38 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (12sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Toddler
Cast on 84sts
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 18 – repeat round 2
Round 19-21 – repeat round 1
Round 22 – repeat round 10
Round 23 -25 – repeat round 1
Round 26 – repeat round 2
Round 27 – repeat round 1
Round 28 – repeat round 4
Round 29 – repeat round 1
Round 30 – repeat round 2
Round 31-33 – repeat round 1
Round 34 – Repeat round 10
Round 35 – repeat round 1
Round 36 – [k6, p2tog, k2, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (70sts)
Round 37 – [k6, p1, k2, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 38 – [k6, p1, k2tog, p1] repeat [ ] around (63sts)
Round 39 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (49sts)
Round 42 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 43 – knit around
Round 44 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (35sts)
Round 45 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (21sts)
Round 46 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (14sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Child
Cast on 96sts
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 18 – repeat round 2
Round 19-21 – repeat round 1
Round 22 – repeat round 10
Round 23 -25 – repeat round 1
Round 26 – repeat round 2
Round 27 – repeat round 1
Round 28 – repeat round 4
Round 29 – repeat round 1
Round 30 – repeat round 2
Round 31-33 – repeat round 1
Round 34 – Repeat round 10
Round 35-37 – repeat round 1
Round 38 – repeat round 2
Round 39 – repeat round 1
Round 40 – repeat round 4
Round 41 – repeat round 1
Round 42– [k6, p2, k2tog, p2] repeat [ ] around (88sts)
Round 43 – [k6, p2tog, k1, p2] repeat [ ] around (80sts)
Round 44 – [k6, p1, k1, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (72sts)
Round 45 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (56sts)
Round 46 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 47 – knit around
Round 48 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (40sts)
Round 49 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (24sts)
Round 50 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (16sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Teen/Sm Adult
Cast on 108
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 18 – repeat round 2
Round 19-21 – repeat round 1
Round 22 – repeat round 10
Round 23 -25 – repeat round 1
Round 26 – repeat round 2
Round 27 – repeat round 1
Round 28 – repeat round 4
Round 29 – repeat round 1
Round 30 – repeat round 2
Round 31-33 – repeat round 1
Round 34 – Repeat round 10
Round 35-37 – repeat round 1
Round 38 – repeat round 2
Round 39 – repeat round 1
Round 40 – repeat round 4
Round 41 – repeat round 1
Round 42 – repeat round 2
Round 43-45 – repeat round 1
Round 46 – repeat round 10
Round 47 – repeat round 11
Round 36 – [k6, p2tog, k2, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (90sts)
Round 37 – [k6, p1, k2, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 38 – [k6, p1, k2tog, p1] repeat [ ] around (81sts)
Round 39 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (63sts)
Round 42 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 43 – knit around
Round 44 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (45sts)
Round 45 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (27sts)
Round 46 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (18sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Adult
Cast on 120
Round 1 – [k6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 2 – [k6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – repeat round 1
Round 4 – [cb6, p2, k2, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – repeat round 1
Round 6 – repeat round 2
Round 7-9 – repeat round 1
Round 10 – [cb6, p2, ft, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 11 -13 – repeat round 1
Round 14 – repeat round 2
Round 15 – repeat round 1
Round 16 – repeat round 4
Round 17 – repeat round 1
Round 18 – repeat round 2
Round 19-21 – repeat round 1
Round 22 – repeat round 10
Round 23 -25 – repeat round 1
Round 26 – repeat round 2
Round 27 – repeat round 1
Round 28 – repeat round 4
Round 29 – repeat round 1
Round 30 – repeat round 2
Round 31-33 – repeat round 1
Round 34 – Repeat round 10
Round 35-37 – repeat round 1
Round 38 – repeat round 2
Round 39 – repeat round 1
Round 40 – repeat round 4
Round 41 – repeat round 1
Round 42 – repeat round 2
Round 43-45 – repeat round 1
Round 46 – repeat round 10
Round 47-49 – repeat round 1
Round 50 – repeat round 2
Round 51 – repeat round 1
Round 52 – repeat round 4
Round 53 – repeat round 1
Round 42– [k6, p2, k2tog, p2] repeat [ ] around (110sts)
Round 43 – [k6, p2tog, k1, p2] repeat [ ] around (100sts)
Round 44 – [k6, p1, k1, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (90sts)
Round 45 – [k5, ssk, ssk] repeat [ ] around (70sts)
Round 46 – [cb6, k1] repeat [ ] around
Round 47 – knit around
Round 48 – [ssk, k2, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (50sts)
Round 49 – [ssk, k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (30sts)
Round 50 – [k2tog, k1] repeat [ ] around (20sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Cables in Cashmere PDF
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