Triskaidekaphilia Beanie

Triskaidekaphilia is a word of Greek origin, meaning “love of the number 13”.  I think 13 gets a bad rap, dear reader; there are more fearsome and wretched things in this world than the number that follows 12 and precedes 14.  This hat features alternating cable & ribbing that has cable braids in a pattern at rounds #5 & #13.  This cable pattern flows so intuitively, you’ll remember it all too well in no time!

This hat may be the closest thing I’ve ever found to “one size fits all”.  I’ve tried it on heads that range from 20.5-23.5” and it fits them all perfectly fine!  Outside of that range, it’s easy to increase or decrease your stitch count by one or more cable repeats (pattern repeat is 10 stitches).  Adjust the length of your hat to fit your taste, with decrease options every 4 rounds. Because of the elasticity of this ribbed fabric, this hat works best as a beanie style, fitting best close to your head.  

Size

Adult, one size fits!

Yarn

Dye Mad Yarns Minnie DK, 100g, 246 yards, 100% superwash Merino wool, in “Cheez-It!” 

Needles

US 6/4mm & US 4/3.5mm OR needle size to accommodate the recommended gauge, in your preferred method for knitting small circumferences in the round 

Notions

stitch markers
darning needle
cable needle

Gauge

13 Sts and 17 rounds = 2” in cable pattern with larger needle, after washing & dried flat

Pattern Abbreviations

BOR: beginning of round
C4B: Slip 2 st to cable needle, hold to back, k2, k2 from cable needle
C4F: Slip 2 st to cable needle, hold to front, k2, k2 from cable needle
CO: cast on
K: knit
K2tog: knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
P: purl
P2tog: purl 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
PM: place marker
SM: slip marker
SSK: Slip next 2 st to the right-hand needle, the first slip as if to k, the second slip as if to p, slip both sts back to the left-hand needle, knit them together through the back loop
St: stitch/es
Work in pattern: knit the knit stitches, purl the purl stitches

Cable Pattern

Rounds 1-4: [K4, p2, k2, p2], repeat this sequence to the end of round
Round 5: [C4B, p2, k2, p2], repeat this sequence to the end of round
Rounds 6-8: Repeat Round 1
Rounds 9-12: [P1, k2, p2, k4, p1], repeat this sequence to the end of round
Round 13: [P1, k2, p2, C4F], repeat this sequence to the end of round
Rounds 14-16: Repeat Round 9

Directions

Using the smaller size needle, CO 120 sts using a long tail CO or your favorite stretchy CO.  Tip: [Count to 10, pm], repeat until you reach your desired st count.

Place BOR marker and join for knitting in the round.

Work in 1x1 ribbing until work measures 1” from CO edge at the BOR.

Change to larger size needle and begin working in Cable Pattern. Work in Cable Pattern until your hat reaches your desired length less 2”, ending on round 4, 8, 12 or 16 of the cable pattern.  (Sample worked 2 16-round repeats + 8 rounds)

Decrease Set-up Rounds

If you ended on round 4 or 8: [SSK, k2tog, p2, k2, p2], repeat this sequence to the end of round. (96 sts)
Next round: Work in pattern, removing cable markers as you go.

If you ended on round 12 or 16: [P1, k2, p2, ssk, k2tog, p1], repeat this sequence to the end of round. (96 sts)
Next round: Instead of slipping BOR, remove BOR marker, p1, place BOR marker back onto needle.  Work in pattern to the end of round, removing cable markers as you go. 

Crown Decreases

[K2, p2tog], repeat this sequence to the end of round. (72 sts)
Next round: Work in pattern.
[K2tog, p1], repeat this sequence to the end of round. (48 sts)
Next round: Work in pattern.
K2tog to the end of round. (24 sts)
K to the end of round.
K2tog to the end of round. (12 sts)
K2tog to the end of round. (6 sts)
Break yarn, leaving a 6” tail.

Finishing 

Using a darning needle, pull the yarn tail through remaining stitches, pull to make sure your stitches don’t come undone, then weave the end in.  Weave in any other ends.  Wash your hat and lay flat to dry. Embrace orange as the color of the season and show your Triskaidekaphilia!

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Designs – Donita Westman