Coin & Medallion Hat

Coin & Medallion Hat

Everything about this hat was inspired by the yarn, since the color strikes me as a perfect match for the coin and medallion cables. And not only is this stuff a gorgeous shade, it also has a lovely feel, as buttery as the hue. I will note, however, that if you're making this hat for a larger-headed person, you will probably want to use a slightly heavier weight worsted, or even a light chunky (think more like 16 stitches per four inches). You can size your needles up as needed.

Yarn: Malabrigo Worsted (100% Merino Wool; 210 yards [192 meters]/100 grams); #022 Sauterne – one skein

Needles: one 16" circular needle in size US 9, one 16" circular needle in size US 6, one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size 9, and one cable needle (cn)

Notions: Tapestry needle, 3 stitch markers

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches on size 8 needles

Edit as of 3/07/15: Raveler sandeleh has very kindly created charts for this hat, which you can find as images at the bottom of this post. The only note is that the cables in the chart do not contain twisted stitches, while as in the written pattern, they do. You can twist or not twist at your leisure. Also, row 1 of the chart is the ribbing row - you will, naturally, want to repeat it more than once, as directed. And please just email if you want a bigger version of the charts (ballstothewallsknits@gmail.com). Thanks again sandeleh!!! :)

So let's get started! Using your size 6 needle, cast on 96 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work on the ribbing row, as follows:

Ribbing Row: * k1, p1, (k2, p2) twice, k2, p1, (k2, p2) twice, k2, p1 * 

Knit this ribbing row until piece measures about 1 1/4", and then switch to your size 9 needle. Now, it's time to begin our main pattern, which is a combination of Coin Cable and a modified version of Tyrolean Medallion, from Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns (on pages 261 and 247, respectively). To do these, let's first define some terms.

coin cable (cc): slip next 4 stitches to cn and hold in back; k1, the slip the last 3 stitches from cn back to left-hand needle and bring final stitch from cn to the front of the work, k3 from left-hand needle, and finally knit stitch from cn

twisted back cable (tbc): slip next 3 stitches to cn and hold in back, k3 stitches through their back loops (k3-tbl), then k3-tbl from cn

twisted front cable (tfc): slip next 3 stitches to cn and hold in front, k3 stitches through their back loops (k3-tbl), then k3-tbl from cn

And now that we've got that covered, let's move on to the pattern.

Row 1: * k8-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k7-tbl *

Row 2: * k2-tbl, tfc, p2, cc, p2, tbc, k1-tbl *

Rows 3 - 7: * k8-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k7-tbl *

Row 8: * k8-tbl, p2, cc, p2, k7-tbl *

Rows 9 - 13: * k8-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k7-tbl *

Row 14: * k2-tbl, tbc, p2, cc, p2, tfc, k1-tbl * 

Rows 15 - 18: * k8-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k7-tbl *

Knit rows 1 - 18 and then knit rows 1 - 13 again. Now, it's time to begin the decreases, which will go as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k6-tbl, k2tog, p2, cc, p2, ssk, k5-tbl *

Decrease Row 2: * k7-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k6-tbl *

Decrease Row 3: * k5-tbl, k2tog, p2, k5, p2, ssk, k4-tbl *

Decrease Row 4: * k6-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k5-tbl *

You may want to switch to your dpns about now...

Decrease Row 5: * k2-tbl, k2tog, k2tog, p2, k5, p2, ssk, ssk, k1-tbl *

Decrease Row 6: * k4-tbl, p2, k5, p2, k3-tbl *

Decrease Row 7: * k2-tbl, k2tog, p2tog, cc, p2tog, ssk, k1-tbl *

Decrease Row 8: * k3-tbl, p1, k5, p1, k2-tbl *

Decrease Row 9: * k1-tbl, k2tog, p1, ssk, k1, k2tog, p1, ssk *

Decrease Row 10: * k2-tbl, p1, k3tog, p1, k1-tbl *

Decrease Row 11: * k2-tbl, p3tog, k1-tbl *

Decrease Row 12: * k2tog *

Clip yarn, thread through your final 8 stitches, and pull tight. Thread to inside of hat and knot. Tuck in ends.