This is a beanie style hat with enough texture for interest but is easy to knit. The look is achieved with knits and purls, and the cable effect is just a twisted stitch knit over 2 stitches. The sample hats were knit for the Hats for Sailors project and suitable for either gender.

Stitches needed to make this hat:

knit
purl
right twist
knit 2 together
pass slip stitch over
purl 2 together
slip stitch

A link to video instructions for the right twist is included.