In my mind, knitting is a lot like cooking. Start with some high quality ingredients and a master recipe, follow your taste buds (or design sense!), and you’re bound to make something delicious and maybe a little surprising!

Traveling Cable Hat in Super Soft Merino, for Kids! | Purl Soho

So when the Bee team suggested I try my Traveling Cable Hat in our Super Soft Merino instead of its original Alpaca Pure, it reminded me of the great fun I have playing in the kitchen. Rather than casting on 3 repeats, like I did for the Alpaca Pure Baby size, I cast 2 repeats onto some big ol’ needles, and in just a couple of hours, I had a finished hat in an unexpected Kids size!

Traveling Cable Hat in Super Soft Merino, for Kids! | Purl Soho

I love how Super Soft Merino brings big flavor to the scale of the cables. This seriously quick knit is a delightful treat, like discovering the nutty flavor a drizzle of brown butter brings to roasted butternut squash. All the recipe tweaking is done, so just sit back, knit, and enjoy! – Gina

Designed by Purl Soho designer, Gina Rockenwagner.

Share your progress and connect with the community by tagging your pics with #PurlSoho, #PurlSohoBusyHands, #PurlSohoTravelingCableHat, and #PurlSohoSuperSoftMerino. We can’t wait to see what you make!

Materials

Traveling Cable Hat in Super Soft Merino, for Kids! | Purl Soho

Gauge

11 stitches = 4 inches in 2×2 rib (unstretched), on smaller needles
14 stitches = 4 inches in cable stitch pattern, on larger needles

Size

To fit Kid’s head circumference 18-21 inches

  • Finished Height: 10½ inches
  • Ribbing Circumference: 15½ inches
  • Body Circumference: 17 inches

Notes

Left Cross (LC): Slip 3 knit stitches to cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, p1 from left hand needle, k3 from cable stitch holder.

Right Cross (RC): Slip 1 purl stitch to cable stitch holder and hold in back of work, k3 from left hand needle, p1 from cable stitch holder.

Cable 6 Front (C6F): Slip 3 knit stitches to cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, k3 from left hand needle, k3 from cable stitch holder.

Cable 6 Back (C6B): Slip 3 knit stitches to cable stitch holder and hold in back of work, k3 from left hand needle, k3 from cable stitch holder.

Cable 4 Front (C4F): Slip 2 knit stitches to cable stitch holder and hold in front of work, k2 from left hand needle, k2 from cable stitch holder.

Pattern

NOTE: This pattern is also available as a printer-friendly PDF! Just click here.

Ribbing

With smaller needle, cast on 42 stitches. We used a basic Long Tail Cast On.

Place a marker and join to work in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches.

Round 1: *P1, [k2, p2] 4 times, k3, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until ribbing measures 4 inches from cast on edge.

Next Round: *Purl into front and back (pfb), [k1, make 1 right (m1r), k1, p2] 3 times, k1, m1r, k1, pfb, p1, k1, m1r, k1, m1r, k1, m1r, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [60 stitches]

Body

Switching to the larger circular needle…

Round 1: [P2, k3] 4 times, p3, k6, p1, place marker, [P2, k3] 4 times, p3, k6, p1. (This marker will help you keep track of the 30-stich repeat.)

Round 2: *[P2, LC, RC] 2 times, p3, C6F, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: *P3, [k6, p4] 2 times, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: *P3, [C6F, p4] 2 times, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 5: *P3, [k6, p4] 2 times, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 6: *[P2, RC, LC] 2 times, p3, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 7: *[P2, k3] 4 times, p3, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 8: *P1, RC, p2, LC, RC, p2, LC, p2, C6F, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 9: *P1, k3, p4, k6, p4, k3, p2, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 10: *P1, k3, p4, C6B, p4, k3, p2, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 11: *P1, k3, p4, k6, p4, k3, p2, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 12: *P1, [LC, p2, RC] 2 times, p2, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 one more time.

The hat should now measure approximately 8 inches from the cast on edge.

Crown Decreases

NOTE: Change to double pointed needles when the work becomes too tight to fit around the circular needle.

Round 1: *P3, k2, ssk, k2, p4, k2, ssk, k2, p2tog, p2, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [54 stitches]

Round 2: *P3, k2, ssk, k1, p4, k2, ssk, k1, p3, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [50 stitches]

Round 3: *P3, k2, ssk, p4, k2, ssk, p3, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [46 stitches]

Round 4: *P1, p2tog, k2, ssk, p2, k2tog, k2, p2tog, p1, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [38 stitches]

Round 5: *P2, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, p2, k6, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [34 stitches]

Round 6: *P2, k2, k2tog, k2, p2, C6F, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [32 stitches]

Round 7: *P2tog, k1, k2tog, k2, p2, k1, [k2tog] 2 times, k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [24 stitches]

Round 8: *P1, k2tog, k2, p2, k4, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [22 stitches]

Round 9: *P1, k2tog, k1, p2, k4, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [20 stitches]

Round 10: *K2tog, k1, p2, C4F, p1, repeat from * to end of round. [18 stitches]

Round 11: *K1, ssk, k2tog, k2, ssk, repeat from * to end of round. [12 stitches]

Round 12: [K2tog] 6 times. [6 stitches]

Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and sew it through the remaining stitches twice. Pull tight to close the hole at the crown. Bring the tail to the inside of the hat and weave it in. Weave in any remaining ends and enjoy your Traveling Cable Hat!

Traveling Cable Hat in Super Soft Merino, for Kids! | Purl Soho