CROSS-CABLE CAP

CROSS-CABLE CAP (crochet)

Skill level: Intermediate

Size: To fit Teen/Adult. Hat measures 20.5” circumference, 8” high unstretched, but will stretch to fit up to 23” circumference.

Materials:

175 yds. worsted weight wool, wool-blend or acrylic (see “Variations” at end of pattern for two- or three-color hat suggestions)

Sample shown in Zitron "Nimbus Multi", 100% organic merino wool

(110 yds per 50g ball)

Size H/8 (5 mm) crochet hook, or size needed to achieve gauge

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 14 sts & 7 rows = 4” in double crochet on size H/8 (5 mm) hook

Terms/Abbreviations: beginning (beg), chain (ch), decrease (dec), each (ea), front post double crochet (fpdc), front post triple crochet (fptrc), front post quadruple crochet (fpqdc), group (grp), hook (hk), increase (inc), remaining (rem), repeat (rep), round (rnd), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st), stitch (st)

Pattern notes:

Hat is worked in one piece in joined rounds progressing from center top to lower edge.

Do not turn at end of each round but continue in same direction throughout.

Beginning chain counts as a stitch.

Special Stitches/Techniques:

Disappearing loop beginning method: wrap yarn once or twice around finger, insert hook into center of this wrapped ring, yarn over and draw loop through ring, chain as instructed and work first round of stitches over strands of ring. Pull gently to close center of ring.

X-st (cross-stitch): work double crochet in specified stitch as instructed for first leg of X-st, then reach back across front of work and double crochet in specified stitch, completing second leg of X-st.

Front post double crochet (fpdc): wrap yarn around hook once (in preparation for a double crochet), then insert hook from right to left and from front to back to front around post of designated stitch and complete the double crochet.

Front post triple crochet (fptrc): wrap yarn twice around hook (in preparation for a triple crochet), then insert hook from right to left and from front to back to front around post of designated stitch and complete the triple crochet.

Front post quadruple crochet (fpqdc): wrap yarn three times around hook (in preparation for a quadruple crochet), then insert hook from right to left and from front to back to front around post of designated stitch and complete the quadruple crochet.

Hat

Rnd 1: Ch 4, join into ring (or use disappearing loop beginning method), ch 3, work 11 dc in ring, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn – 12 sts

Rnd 2 (inc & X-st rnd): Ch 3, dc in same st at base of beg ch-3; work X-st as follows: dc in next dc, reach back across front of work & dc in previous st (X-st completed); *work 2 dc in next dc, X-st over next & previous dc, rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn – 24 sts (6 X-sts)

Rnd 3 (inc rnd): Ch 3, dc in same st at base of beg ch-3, dc in next dc, fpdc around next dc (i.e., the first leg of the X-st), dc between first & second leg of X-st, fpdc around next dc (i.e., the second leg of the X-st), *2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, fpdc around next dc (first leg of X-st), dc between first & second leg of X-st, fpdc around next dc (second leg of X-st), rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn – 36 sts

Rnd 4 (inc rnd): Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, fpdc around next fpdc, 2 dc in next dc, fpdc around next fpdc, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, fpdc around next fpdc, 2 dc in next dc, fpdc around next fpdc, rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn – 48 sts

Rnd 5 (inc & cable cross rnd): Ch 3, dc in same st at base of beg ch-3, dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc; work cable cross as follows: skip next fpdc & next 2 dc, fptrc around next fpdc; working behind the fptrc, skip the first fpdc, work 2 dc in ea of next 2 dc, reach back across front of work & fptrc around skipped fpdc (cable cross completed); *2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc, work cable cross over next 4 sts, rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn – 72 sts

Note: remainder of hat is worked even on 72 sts until edging rounds are reached.

Rnd 6: Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc, fpdc around next fptrc, dc in next 4 dc, fpdc around next fptrc, *dc in next 6 dc, fpdc around next fptrc, dc in next 4 dc, fpdc around next fptrc, rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn.

Rnd 7: Rep Rnd 6, working fpdc over fpdc (instead of around fptrc)

Rnd 8 (cable cross rnd): Ch 3, dc in next 5 dc; work cable cross as follows: skip next fpdc & next 4 dc, fpqdc around next fpdc; working behind fpqdc, skip first fpdc, dc in next 4 dc, reach back across front of work & fpqdc around skipped fpdc (cable cross completed); *dc in next 6 dc, work cable cross over next 6 sts, rep from * around, join with sl st to top of beg ch-3, do not turn.

Rnds 9-14: Rep Rnds 6-8 twice.

Edging:

Rnd 15 (dec rnd): Ch 1, *sc in 7 sts, sc next 2 sts together, rep from * around, join with sl st, do not turn – 64 sts

Rnd 16: Ch 1, sc in ea sc around, join with sl st, do not turn.

Finishing:

Rnd 17: Ch 1, sl st very loosely in ea sc around, join with sl st. Fasten off and weave in all tails.

Variations:

For a two-color hat: Work Rnds 1-12 in first color. Join second color on Rnd 13 and continue remainder of hat with second color.

For a three-color hat: Work Rnds 1-9 in first color. Join second color on Rnd 10 and work Rnds 10-14 in second color. Join third color on Rnd 15 and continue remainder of hat with third color.

For personal or charity use only. Do not duplicate pattern for commercial purposes.