This free cable beanie pattern is a classic knit hat design with a cable brim, 1×1 ribbing, and sizes from newborn through adult, and it is part of my collection of free hat knitting patterns.

If you love knitting hats that are practical, giftable, and still have a little bit of detail to keep the project interesting, the Nicolas Hat is such a good one to add to your list. This free cable beanie pattern uses a simple cable section around the brim, then moves into stretchy ribbing for the body of the hat. It is a great option when you want a hat that looks thoughtful without being overly complicated.

The Nicolas Hat was originally designed as a handmade Christmas gift for my mom, which makes this pattern extra special to me. I wanted a knit hat that felt classic, useful, and pretty without being fussy, and this free cable beanie pattern checked all of those boxes.

It also pairs beautifully with the Nicolas Bonnet, since both patterns use that same cable detail. If you enjoy making matching pieces or knitting from the same design collection, this is a fun one to cast on.

What materials do you need for this free cable beanie pattern?

For this free cable beanie pattern, I used Cascade 220 Superwash, which works beautifully for a knit hat with cable details. It has nice stitch definition, so the cable around the brim stands out clearly, and it is also a practical yarn choice for gifting because it is machine washable.

You will need 1 skein of Cascade 220, size 7 knitting needles, a yarn needle, and a cable needle. You can also add an optional fur pompom if you want to finish the hat with a little extra detail.

The gauge for this hat is 20 stitches and 28 rows over 4 inches, so it creates a warm and wearable fabric without being too stiff. The pattern includes sizes from newborn through large adult, which makes it useful for baby gifts, family sets, or a quick winter hat for yourself.

I love when one pattern can be used again and again in different sizes. This free cable beanie pattern is one of those designs that works just as well for a tiny baby hat as it does for an adult beanie.

How is this free cable beanie pattern made?

This free cable beanie pattern is worked in the round from the bottom up. It starts with 1×1 ribbing, then moves into the cable section that wraps around the brim of the hat.

After the cable section is finished, the rest of the hat is worked in 1×1 ribbing until it reaches the correct length for the size you are making. Then the crown is shaped with decreases and the top is cinched closed.

The cable detail is what makes this hat stand out, but the ribbing keeps the rest of the project simple and easy to settle into. If you have worked basic cables before, this is a great project to keep on your needles when you want something with a little texture.

If you are newer to cables, this free cable beanie pattern is still a nice way to practice because the cable section is limited to the brim. Once that part is done, the rest of the hat is simple ribbing and crown shaping.

Looking for more free hat knitting patterns?

If you love this free cable beanie pattern, you may also enjoy browsing more of my free hat knitting patterns. Hats are one of my favorite things to knit because they are practical, quick compared to larger projects, and easy to gift.

Here are a few more hat patterns you may want to check out:

• Grace Beanie
• Selah Beanie
• Abner Beanie
• Evergreen Beanie
• Thomas Beanie

These free hat knitting patterns each have their own style, from textured stitches to cables to everyday ribbed designs. They are great options when you want a smaller project that still gives you a finished piece you can actually use.

The Nicolas Hat is especially nice if you love a classic beanie with a little extra detail around the brim. The cable gives it structure and interest, while the ribbing makes it stretchy and comfortable to wear.

Nicolas Hat Free Pattern

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

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.

I would love to know who you would knit this free cable beanie pattern for first. Would you make the Nicolas Hat as a gift, knit one for yourself, or make matching hats for your family?

Disclaimer: This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to make a purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your support!