Looking for a free cable beanie pattern to add to your collection of photo props? This beanie is just one of many free patterns available! Check out all my free hat knitting patterns here, and find this specific pattern at the bottom of this post.
There’s just something about knitting cables that feels extra cozy—like snuggling under a handmade blanket with a warm cup of cocoa on a snowy day. And when that cable knitting turns into a beanie? Pure perfection! If you’ve been searching for a free cable beanie pattern that’s both stylish and beginner-friendly, the Thomas Beanie is about to become your new favorite project.
This free cable beanie pattern is a classic—simple enough for knitters who are new to cables but engaging enough to keep experienced knitters entertained. The texture adds just the right amount of stretch for a snug, comfy fit, and it looks just as great on a casual day out as it does in a newborn photo session. Plus, who doesn’t love a handmade beanie that looks like it came straight from a boutique?
Why You’ll Love This Free Cable Beanie Pattern
If you’re like me, you love a good free cable beanie pattern that strikes the perfect balance between easy and interesting. The Thomas Beanie checks all the boxes:
✔ Classic cable design – timeless and versatile
✔ Beginner-friendly – perfect if you’re new to cables
✔ Quick knit – finish it in a weekend
✔ Great gift – everyone needs a cozy beanie!
I knit mine with Cascade 220 Superwash (affiliate link) because it’s soft, warm, and machine-washable. But you can use any worsted-weight yarn that gives you the right gauge.
Choosing the Right Yarn for Your Beanie
Worsted-weight yarn is perfect for this free cable beanie pattern because it provides warmth without being too bulky. I used Cascade 220 Superwash (affiliate link), and I love how it holds stitch definition, making those cables pop beautifully.
Of course, you can play around with different fibers. If you want something super luxurious, try a merino blend. If you’re knitting for outdoor wear, go for something like an alpaca blend for extra warmth. Just make sure your yarn choice works well with cables and gives you the stitch definition you need.
Knitting the Thomas Beanie: What to Expect
This free cable beanie pattern follows a straightforward construction:
- Cast on and work the ribbing – This keeps the edge snug.
- Work the cable pattern – If you’ve never knit cables before, don’t worry! They’re easier than they look.
- Shape the crown – The decreases blend beautifully into the design.
- Finish with or without a pom-pom – A faux fur pom-pom adds a modern touch, but the beanie looks great on its own too.
I love how rhythmic the cable repeats are. Once you get into the groove, you’ll be flying through the pattern. If you’ve never used a cable needle before, this is a great project to practice on!
Ways to Customize This Free Cable Beanie Pattern
One of the best things about this free cable beanie pattern is how easy it is to make it your own. Here are a few ways to personalize your beanie:
🎨 Color Play – Try a variegated yarn for a fun, multicolored effect.
🧶 Pom-Pom Options – Go big and fluffy or keep it sleek without one.
📏 Fit Adjustments – Need a looser fit? Go up a needle size. Want a snugger fit? Drop down a size.
✨ Extra Warmth – Line the inside with fleece for ultimate coziness.
I knit my Thomas Beanie with Cascade 220 Superwash (affiliate link) in a solid color to let the cables shine, but I think a tweed yarn would add a rustic charm!
Knitting Cables: Easier Than You Think
If you’ve never knit cables before, don’t let them intimidate you! This free cable beanie pattern is a great place to start. Cables are just stitches that are temporarily held to the front or back of your work while you knit others. Once you get used to the rhythm, it’s incredibly satisfying to watch the twisted stitches form intricate patterns.
Need a quick cable refresher? Here’s the basic idea:
- Slip a few stitches onto a cable needle.
- Hold them in front or back of your work.
- Knit the next stitches on your needle.
- Knit the stitches from your cable needle.
And that’s it! You’ve got a gorgeous cable. If you want further instructions check out this tutorial for cable beginners.
Handmade Beanies: More Than Just an Accessory
One of the things I love most about knitting is the sense of accomplishment that comes from turning a ball of yarn into something wearable. This free cable beanie pattern is more than just a way to stay warm—it’s a little piece of creativity that you can wear and share.
There’s something special about gifting a hand-knit beanie, knowing it was made with love and care. Whether you’re knitting for yourself, a friend, or to stock up on photo props, this beanie is a great addition to your handmade collection.
Where to Find More Free Beanie and Photo Prop Patterns
This Thomas Beanie is just one of many cozy accessories I love knitting. If you’re looking for more free hat knitting patterns, I’ve got you covered! Head over to my free hat pattern page to find a variety of adorable knits.
And if you’re ready to get started on this free cable beanie pattern, you’ll find the full pattern below! Grab your needles, pick out your favorite color of Cascade 220 Superwash (affiliate link), and get knitting!
Thomas Beanie Pattern
Materials needed: 55-150yds of worsted weight yarn (I used Cascade 220 Superwash), size 9 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
cb4 – sl the next 2sts onto you cable needle, hold in back, k the next 2sts, k the 2sts on your cable needle
Preemie
Cast on 48sts
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 2 times more
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (40sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, cb4, p1] repeat [ ] around (32sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (24sts)
Round 6 – [k2, k4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (16sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog, k2] repeat [ ] around (12sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Newborn
Cast on 60sts
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 2 times then repeat rounds 1-4 one time more
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (50sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around (40sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (30sts)
Round 6 – [k2, cb4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (20sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog, k2] repeat [ ] around (15sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Baby
Cast on 72sts
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 3 times more then repeat rounds 1-4 one time more
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (60sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around (48sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (36sts)
Round 6 – [k2, cb4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (24sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog, k2] repeat [ ] around (18sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Toddler
Cast on 84sts
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 5 times more
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (70sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, cb4, p1] repeat [ ] around (56sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (42sts)
Round 6 – [k2, k4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (28sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] repeat [ ] around (14sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Child
Cast on 96sts
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 5 times more then repeat rounds 1-4 one time more
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (80sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around (64sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (48sts)
Round 6 – [k2, cb4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (32sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] repeat [ ] around (16sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Small Adult
Cast on 108
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 seven more times
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (90sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around (72sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (54sts)
Round 6 – [k2, cb4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (36sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] repeat [ ] around (18sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Large Adult
Cast on 120
Rounds 1-3 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Round 4 – [k4, p2, cb4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Rounds 5-6 – [k4, p2] repeat [ ] around
Repeat rounds 1-6 eight more times
Decreases
Round 1 – [k4, p2tog, k4, p2tog] repeat [ ] around (100sts)
Round 2 – [k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 3 – [ssk, k2tog, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around (80sts)
Round 4 – [k2, p1, k4, p1] repeat [ ] around
Round 5 – [k1, ssk, k3, ssk] repeat [ ] around (60sts)
Round 6 – [k2, cb4] repeat [ ] around
Round 7 – [k2, ssk, k2tog] repeat [ ] around (40sts)
Round 8 – [k2tog] repeat [ ] around (20sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn. Pull through remaining sts. Weave in ends.
Download Thomas Beanie PDF
If you love Thomas Beanie be sure to check out all of our other free hat patterns here.
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!