This design is my love letter to vintage Aran knitting, the fisherman-seaside aesthetic, and my childhood memories of windy, brisk holidays along the Norfolk coast.
The Honey & Salt Hat is knit flat and then seamed, and makes a perfect challenge for knitters who want to start combining cabling techniques for a unique texture. Once knit up, this hat is thick, warm and cozy making it the perfect addition to any late autumn/winter wardrobe.

Difficulty Level
Advanced Beginner/Intermediate

Techniques Used
Cast on
Cables & Twists
Decreasing
Knit & Purl
Knit One Below
Purl One Below
Seaming (Mattress Stitch)

One Size Fits All
Circumference: 52 cm
Length with folded cuff: 16 cm
Total length (unfolded cuff): 24 cm

Materials
Yarn:
Drops Nepal (65% lana, 35% alpaca; 50 g skein = approx 75 m); 4 skeins needed

OR an Aran weight yarn that matches Gauge, detailed on the right side.

Needles:
4mm/US 6 35cm straight knitting needles, OR circular needles that measure in total about 40cm.

4.5mm/US 7 35cm straight knitting needles, OR circular needles that measure in total about 40cm.

Notions:
Cable needle
Safety pins
Stitch markers — removable
Tapestry needle
Scissors

Gauge
This pattern uses two distinct cable sections, each knit with a different needle size. To ensure accuracy and the best fit for your hat, work the two separate gauge swatches as listed below and wet block them before measuring.

Swatch 1 - 4mm (US 6) needles:
Note: I recommend that you work a swatch that’s 32 sts x 32 rows to allow for 4 full repeats of the stitches described in the brackets below. Remember that 28 sts will measure 10 cm.
10 x 10 cm = 28 sts x 32 rows in the following pattern:
Row 1: P2, K4, P2, repeat … until end of row
Row 2: K2, P4, K2, repeat … until end of row
Row 3: T4B, T4F, repeat … until end of row
Row 4: P2, K4, P2, repeat … until end of row
Row 5: K2, P4, K2, repeat … until end of row
Row 6: Same as Row 4
Row 7: T4F, T4B, repeat … until end of row
Row 8: Same as Row 2

Swatch 2 - 4.5mm (US 7) needles:
10 x 10 cm = 24 sts x 30 rows in the following pattern:
Row 1: P2, K1, P4, K1, P2, K4, P2, K1, P4, K1, P2
Row 2: K2, P1B, K4, P1B, K2, P4, K2, P1B, K4, P1B, K2
Row 3: P2, K1B, P4, K1B, P2, C4F, P2, K1B, P4, K1B, P2
Row 4: Same as Row 2

If your gauge measures less than the required size, try a larger needle size. If the gauge measures more, try a smaller needle size.

Need extra support? I’ve filmed step-by-step KAL videos to guide you through tricky parts of the Honey & Salt Hat. You can find them on an IG highlight here.