Snag this free cable beanie pattern from my photo prop hat collection—THIS one’s below, and the rest are at my hat pattern page!

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I don’t know about you, but for me, there’s something extra special about knitting a hat. Maybe it’s the way a beanie manages to be both useful and stylish at the same time, or maybe it’s just how quick and satisfying they are to knit. Either way, I’ve got a soft spot for a good free cable beanie pattern—and today, I’m sharing one of my absolute favorites: the Nicolas Hat.

Now, this particular hat has a bit of backstory, and I think it makes the project even more meaningful. I originally made the Nicolas Hat for my mom as a Christmas gift in 2018, and it quickly became one of those patterns I go back to again and again. If you love a cable detail and a nice squishy rib, this free cable beanie pattern is going to be your new favorite too.

And yes—this exact pattern is at the bottom of this post, but if you’re looking for more hat patterns, you can browse the whole collection on my free hat pattern page.

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Why I Love This Free Cable Beanie Pattern

The Nicolas Hat isn’t just cute—it’s meaningful. I was inspired to make it while working on the matching Nicolas Bonnet. The bonnet had this beautiful cable running around the edge, and I thought, Why not a grown-up version? I wanted something cozy, timeless, and elegant—something my mom would be proud to wear.

I still remember casting on while watching a Christmas movie and sipping hot cocoa. I had this vision of her opening a soft little bundle under the tree, and let me tell you—when she pulled it out and smiled, it was everything. If you’ve ever made a gift that hit just right, you know that feeling.

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Let’s Talk Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash (affiliate link)

I chose Cascade 220 superwash (affiliate link) for this project, and it was the perfect match. It’s warm, soft, durable, and (thankfully) machine washable—basically the dream combo for gifting. My mom’s not exactly a “hand-wash everything in lavender soap” kind of gal, so this yarn checked every box.

Cascade 220 superwash (affiliate link) also has fantastic stitch definition, which makes those cables pop like nobody’s business. I went with a neutral color so it would match anything in her closet, but honestly, this yarn (affiliate link) comes in so many gorgeous shades, you really can’t go wrong.

Design Details That Make This Beanie Shine

What sets this free cable beanie pattern apart from your typical hat is the way the cable wraps around the brim. It’s not just plopped on the front like an afterthought—the cable frames the face, adds structure, and turns this beanie into something a little more special.

Once the cable section is finished, the rest of the hat is knit in 1×1 ribbing. That stretchy texture hugs your head just right and gives the whole hat a polished look. The ribbing is one of those simple pleasures—it adds elasticity, comfort, and a nice snug fit that won’t budge.

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Knitting the Nicolas Hat: A Cozy, Cable-Filled Journey

I worked the Nicolas Hat in the round using circular needles (because seams? No thank you). It starts with casting on for the cable section, which is the star of the show. I love a good cable—it’s just the right mix of challenge and satisfaction. If you’re a newer knitter who hasn’t tried cables yet, don’t be intimidated! Once you get the hang of a cable needle, it all starts to click.

Cascade 220 superwash (affiliate link) was a dream to work with during this part—it glides so smoothly on the needles and holds the twists of the cable like a charm.

After the cable section, you’ll move right into that stretchy ribbing. I find 1×1 ribbing kind of meditative—it’s just knit, purl, knit, purl, and before you know it, you’ve got a cozy hat body. Once it’s long enough, you’ll shape the crown with some decreases, close it up, and weave in the ends. Voilà!

Handmade with Heart

The real beauty of a free cable beanie pattern like this one isn’t just the stitches—it’s the love you put into it. When I gifted this to my mom, she lit up. She tried it on immediately and wore it for the rest of the day. It’s those little moments that make handmade gifts so worth it.

Every time I see her in it, I’m reminded of that Christmas and the care that went into every twist and turn of the yarn (Cascade 220 superwash, affiliate link, thank you very much). It became more than just a hat—it became a piece of our story.

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Your Turn to Knit It

Ready to cast on your own Nicolas Hat? Whether you’re making it for a loved one or treating yourself, this free cable beanie pattern delivers both warmth and wow factor. Don’t forget to pick up your Cascade 220 superwash yarn (affiliate link) so those cables really pop.

Oh—and if you’re looking for even more cozy headwear, don’t miss the full lineup of hat designs on my hat pattern page. This free cable beanie pattern is just one gem among many.

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Pattern Highlights at a Glance

• Skill Level: Adventurous beginner to intermediate
• Yarn: Cascade 220 superwash (affiliate link)
• Needles: Circular needles for knitting in the round
• Features: Cable band around the brim, 1×1 ribbing throughout, tapered crown
• Best for: Gifts, winter wear, matching with the Nicolas Bonnet

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Final Thoughts on My Favorite Free Cable Beanie Pattern

If you love classic knits with just enough twist (literally) to keep things interesting, this is the free cable beanie pattern to try. The Nicolas Hat is stylish, practical, and so much fun to make. And the fact that it started as a heartfelt gift makes it even more meaningful.

I hope this becomes one of your go-to knits too—because if there’s one thing better than a cozy hat, it’s knowing you made it yourself. And Cascade 220 superwash (affiliate link)? Still my go-to for anything cabled and gift-worthy.

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The Free Cable Beanie Pattern

Here it is—your very own free cable beanie pattern! Scroll down just a bit and you’ll find the complete instructions ready to cast on.

And remember, the rest of my hat patterns are linked over on the hat pattern page. Happy knitting!

Materials and Info

Yarn – 1skein Cascade 220 (100g 220yd)

Gauge – 20x28sts per 4x4in or 10x10cm

Needles – 7 (4.5mm) circular and/or dpn

Other –yarn needle, cable needle, optional – fur pompom

Sizes – (newborn, baby), (toddler, child), (small adult, large adult)

Head Measurement – (30-35, 35-40), (40-45, 45-50), (50-55, 55-60)cms or (12-14, 14-16), (16-18, 18-20), (20-22, 22-24)ins

ABBREVIATIONS
k – knit
P – purl
sl – slip stitch
st – stitch
yo – yarn over
k2tog – knit the next 2 sts together
t2f – slide next st onto cable needle, hold in front, p next st, k st from cable needle
t2b – slide next st onto cable needle, hold in back, k next st, p st from cable needle
c5f – slide next 2 sts onto cable needle, hold in front, k next 3 sts, k2 sts from cable needle

Nicolas Hat Pattern

NEWBORN
Cast on 72 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1ins (2.5cms).
Round 1 – [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat across
Round 2 – [p1, k5, p2] repeat across
Round 3 – [p1, c5f, p2] repeat across
Round 4 – repeat round 2
Round 5 – Repeat round 2
Round 6 – Repeat round 2
Round 7 – Repeat round 3
Round 8 – [p1, k2, p1, k2, p2] Repeat across
Round 9 – [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat across
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing until your work measures appx 4ins (10cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k1, p1] around (54sts)
Round 2 – [k2, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, p1] around (36sts)
Round 4 – [k1,p1] around
Round 5 – [k2tog] around (18sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog] around (9sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

BABY
Cast on 80 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1ins (2.5cms).
Round 1 – [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat across
Round 2 – [p1, k5, p2] repeat across
Round 3 – [p1, c5f, p2] repeat across
Round 4 – repeat round 2
Round 5 – Repeat round 2
Round 6 – Repeat round 2
Round 7 – Repeat round 3
Round 8 – [p1, k2, p1, k2, p2] Repeat across
Round 9 – [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat across
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing until your work measures appx 4.5ins (11cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k1, p1] around (60sts)
Round 2 – [k2, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, p1] around (40sts)
Round 4 – [k1,p1] around
Round 5 – [k2tog] around (20sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog] around (10sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (5sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

TODDLER
Cast on 88 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1ins (2.5cms).
Round 1 – [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat across
Round 2 – [p1, k5, p2] repeat across
Round 3 – [p1, c5f, p2] repeat across
Round 4 – repeat round 2
Round 5 – Repeat round 2
Round 6 – Repeat round 2
Round 7 – Repeat round 3
Round 8 – [p1, k2, p1, k2, p2] Repeat across
Round 9 – [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat across
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing until your work measures appx 5.5ins (14.5cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k1, p1] around (66sts)
Round 2 – [k2, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, p1] around (44sts)
Round 4 – [k1,p1] around
Round 5 – [k2tog] around (22sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog] around (11sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around to last st, k1 (6sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

CHILD
Cast on 96 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1.25ins (3cms).
Round 1 – [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat across
Round 2 – [p1, k5, p2] repeat across
Round 3 – [p1, c5f, p2] repeat across
Round 4 – repeat round 2
Round 5 – Repeat round 2
Round 6 – Repeat round 2
Round 7 – Repeat round 3
Round 8 – [p1, k2, p1, k2, p2] Repeat across
Round 9 – [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat across
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing until your work measures appx 6.5ins (16cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k1, p1] around (72sts)
Round 2 – [k2, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, p1] around (48sts)
Round 4 – [k1,p1] around
Round 5 – [k2tog] around (24sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog] around (12sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around (6sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

SMALL ADULT
Cast on 112 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1.25ins (3cms).
Round 1 – [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat across
Round 2 – [p1, k5, p2] repeat across
Round 3 – [p1, c5f, p2] repeat across
Round 4 – repeat round 2
Round 5 – Repeat round 2
Round 6 – Repeat round 2
Round 7 – Repeat round 3
Round 8 – [p1, k2, p1, k2, p2] Repeat across
Round 9 – [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat across
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing until your work measures appx 7.5ins (18.5cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k1, p1] around (84sts)
Round 2 – [k2, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, p1] around (56sts)
Round 4 – [k1,p1] around
Round 5 – [k2tog] around (28sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog] around (14sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around 7sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

LARGE ADULT
Cast on 120 using your favorite stretchy cast on.
Join in the round.
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing for 1.25ins (3cms).
Round 1 – [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat across
Round 2 – [p1, k5, p2] repeat across
Round 3 – [p1, c5f, p2] repeat across
Round 4 – repeat round 2
Round 5 – Repeat round 2
Round 6 – Repeat round 2
Round 7 – Repeat round 3
Round 8 – [p1, k2, p1, k2, p2] Repeat across
Round 9 – [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat across
Work in [k1, p1] ribbing until your work measures appx 8.5ins (21cms).
Switch to dpn when necessary.
DECREASES
Round 1 – [ssk, k1, p1] around (90sts)
Round 2 – [k2, p1] around
Round 3 – [ssk, p1] around (60sts)
Round 4 – [k1,p1] around
Round 5 – [k2tog] around (30sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog] around (15sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] around to last st, k1(8sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the top tight. Weave in ends. Block as desired.

Nicolas Hat PDF

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