Peaks & Cables Hat

Peaks & Cables Hat

Okay, so I lost track sometime during last week's vacation, but I ripped this hat out either three or four times before I finally left it sitting around as nothing more than a band of ribbing (luckily, I didn't have to finish it three or four times before I realized each of those times was ugly).  Then I made the cowl for my mom and forgot about the hat entirely.  But since I'm trying to finish the projects I start (except for that quilt from 7 years ago, of course), I finally got some inspiration and hammered through.  And I have to say, my husband thinks it's my best one yet (on a completely unrelated note, I just remembered that my post-apocalyptic New Orleans dream last night featured a whole segment where the tops of my hats, where I pull the stitches together y'know, were starting to tug undone and it was IMPERATIVE that I fix them all right then despite the chaos.  not that I have knitting anxiety dreams or anything...).

Update (4/24/14): For anyone out there who prefers to knit with charts, Raveler bebamima was kind enough to whip some up and then pass them along. You can find charts for both the main pattern and the decreases at the bottom of this post, or shoot me an email if you'd prefer jpgs (ballstothewallsknits@gmail.com). Thanks bebamima!

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Paints (100% Superwash Wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #9863 Spring Meadow - one skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 8 and a set of double-pointed needles in size 8

The pattern.  A cable, and then a peak.

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Using size 8 needles, cast on 112 stitches, place marker, and join in round.  Knit 1" in k1, p1 ribbing.  Now it's time to begin your main pattern, for which you'll need the following notation:

bc (back cross): slip two stitches to cn and hold in back; knit two stitches, knit two stitches from cn

So let's get to it!

Row 1: * k4, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo; rep from *

Row 2 and all even rows, including final row 8: knit

Row 3: * bc, k1, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k1 *

Row 5: * k6, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2 *

Row 7: * bc, k3, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k3 *

Repeat rows 1 - 8 a total of four times, until piece measures roughly 6.5 inches.  Now it's time for the decreases:

Row 1: * ssk, k2tog, yo, ssk, k6, k2tog, yo *

Row 2: knit

Row 3: remove marker, slip first stitch, and replace marker - next; * ssk, yo, ssk, k4, k2tog, yo, k2tog *

Row 4: knit

Now's about the time to switch to your dpns!

Row 5: * ssk, yo, ssk, k2, k2tog, yo, k2tog *

Row 6: knit

Row 7: * ssk, yo, ssk, k2tog, yo, k2tog *

Row 8: knit

Row 9: * ssk, k2, k2tog *

Row 10: * ssk, k2tog *

Row 11: * k2tog *

Cut yarn, leaving 12 - 18 inch tail.  Using tapestry needle, thread through remaining 8 stitches, knot, and bring to inside of hat.  Tuck in ends.

Chart for hat pattern

Chart for the decreases