A free knitting pattern for child’s sized cabled hats and hat sizing tips.
Over the last couple weeks, I’ve continued to knit hats for Hat Not Hate. I wanted to share a cabled hat pattern somewhat similar to the Rhode Trip Hat but designed specifically for smaller heads. I make these and other patterns available for free in hopes that if you have the time, interest, and resources, you’ll consider knitting a hat for a local or national community or charity effort.
The Hope Valley hat features a slightly smaller cable pattern than the Rhode Trip hat and comes in three sizes to fit toddlers (18″ head circumference), small children (19 1/2″ head circumference), and large children (21″ head circumference). Hat sizing can be a bit tricky because there isn’t a big difference between a larger child and most adult sized heads so I’ve included some tips for picking a size below.
If you want to grab the pattern pdf, download it using the gold button above. If you want more information on the pattern, keep reading:
Pattern Details
Construction: Hope Valley is a cabled hat designed to fit toddlers and children in three sizes. The smallest size stretches to fit up to an 18” head circumference and is sized for a toddler (18-24 months). The largest size stretches to fit up to a 21” head circumference which would also fit a smaller adult head. The cables and garter ridge sections are separated by purl stitches, giving the hat generous stretch.
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Skills needed: knitting in the round, basic cables, decreasing by k2tog, p2tog, and ssk.
Sizing Information
Hat sizing can be a little tricky because even though kids look little, head circumferences can be surprising! The smallest size of this hat will fit a toddler, but could also fit a small child. A smaller child (4 to 12 years old) may be in the large child/ teenager hat size.
If you’re knitting this for a specific person and want to figure out what size to make you can use either a flexible tape measure or, if you don’t have a tape measure, a piece of string you can measure against a ruler or measuring stick. Measure the widest part of the head going from the forehead, above the ears, around the back of the head, back to the forehead. You basically make a circle of the widest part of the head. You should round up to the right size. For example, if the child has a 20″ head circumference, make the largest size.
- Sizes: Toddler, (Small Child, Large Child/Teenager)
- Circumference: Stretches to fit up to 18” (19 ½”, 21”) head circumference
- Height: 6 ½” (7”, 7 ½”)
Gauge: 22 sts and 25 rows per 4” in cable pattern (blocked, but unstretched).
Materials:
To knit this hat, you will need the following:
- US 7 (4.5 mm) 16” (40 cm) circular needle and double pointed needles
- 100 (120, 140) yards of worsted weight wool or wool-blend yarn
- Stitch Marker
- Yarn needle
- Scissors
For the dark blue hat, I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease in the Navy colorway (80% Acrylic, 20% Wool, 85 g/ 197 yards). The lighter blue hat is knit in Berroco Vintage in the Misty colorway (52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon, 100 g/218 yards)
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And if you knit a Prospect Terrace cabled hat, please share your pictures with me on Instagram. You can tag me (I’m @KnitMcKinley) or use the hasthag #KnitMcKinley. I really enjoy seeing your projects and hope you enjoy these patterns!
Happy Knitting,
~Kara