Beacon Hat – Worsted: Free Hat Pattern

On New Year’s Day in 2021, I shared a super bulky hat pattern, the Beacon Hat. I’m happy to continue the New Year’s free pattern tradition with a new take on that original hat. I love the look of all over cables and wanted to lengthen the brim so it could be folded over for extra warmth. This version is knit in worsted weight so it’s a thinner, but still warm, hat – perfect for good walks on winter days.

You can download a pdf of the pattern by clicking this button, or continue reading below for the complete Beacon – Worsted hat pattern.

Beacon Hat – Worsted Pattern

Construction: This new worsted weight version of the Beacon Hat has a deep ribbed brim intended to be folded over for extra warmth. It keeps the staggered cable pattern but creates a much lighter weight hat. Whether you knit the original in super bulky or this worsted weight version, this pattern is a cozy, fun winter hat.

Pattern Details:

  • Skill level: Intermediate
  • Skills needed: Knitting and purling in the round, basic cables, left twists, ssk and k2tog decreases
  • Size: Adult
  • Circumference: 18” (45 cm) flat (stretches to fit 21”-22” [53-56 cm] head circumference)
  • Height: 9” with brim folded, 11 1/1” with brim unfolded
  • Gauge: 21 sts by 18 rows per 4” (10 cm) in staggered cable pattern knit in the round.

Materials:

  • US 6 (4.0 mm) 16” circular needles, or two sizes smaller than gauge needle.
  • US 8 (5.0 mm) 16” circular needles and set of double-pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
  • 200 yards of worsted weight yarn, preferably a wool or wool-blend
  • Stitch Marker
  • Yarn needle
  • Scissors

Abbreviations:

  • BO: Bind off
  • CO: Cast on
  • k: knit
  • k2tog: knit 2 together: knit next 2 stitches together
  • LT: left twist: knit into the back of the second stitch on the left needle, then knit the first stitch on the left needle, drop both stitches off left needle
  • p: purl
  • rnd(s): round(s)
  • ssk: slip 2 knitwise, knit two slipped stitches together
  • 3LC: 3 st left cable:  Hold next stitch to front of work, knit next two stitches, knit held stitch

Notes: Charts of the staggered cable pattern and crown decreases are included with the written instructions below. Please refer to written instructions for pattern repeat details.

Instructions:

With smaller needles (US 6), CO 96 sts. Join work to knit in the round, being careful not to twist work.

  • Rnd 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd
  • Repeat rnd 1 until brim measures approximately 3.5” (9 cm) from cast on edge.

Begin staggered cable pattern:

  • Rnd 2: Switching to larger needles (US 15), *k3, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 3: *3LC, p1, k3, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 4: *k3, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd. 
  • Rnd 5:  *k3, p1, 3LC, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Repeat rnds 2-5 until hat measures 9″ (23 cm) or until hat is 1 ½” (3.5 cm) shorter than desired finished length. Repeat rnd 2 once more.

Begin crown decreases (switch to double pointed needles when needed):

  • Rnd 6: *3LC, p1, k3, p1.; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 7: *k3, p1, k1, k2tog, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 8: *k3, p1, LT, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd
  • Rnd 9: *k1, k2tog, p1, k2, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 10: *LT, p1, k2, p1; repat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 11: *k2, p1, ssk, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 12: *k2, p1, k1, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 13: *ssk, p1, k1, p1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 14: *k1, p1, ssk; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 15: *ssk, k1; repeat from * to end of rnd.
  • Rnd 16: *ssk; repeat from * to end of rnd. (6 sts remain).

Cut yarn and weave tail through remaining stitches. Weave in tail and any loose ends.  Wet block. Wear.

If you knit a Beacon Hat – Worsted and share it on instagram or Ravelry, I’d love to see it! If you like this kind of content, please consider supporting this work by subscribing to my email newsletter.

Discover more from The Knit McKinley

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading