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 Hat is knit flat and then seamed, and makes the 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.

Last little thing: Every pattern I write is the final result of many hours of creation, all spent with a lot of care and intention.
This pattern is shared for free, and if you’ve enjoyed knitting it or found it helpful, you can support my work by buying me a coffee here