Two Needle Cable Beret

I have been asked several times for a cabled beret pattern using two needles, so here it is!

 Eight small cables twist up the body of the hat before tapering off, while larger panels accented with moss stitch weave in and out before opening up to form the bloom covering the top of the hat. There are no cables in the decrease rows, which take up most of the body of the hat. The whole thing looks way more complicated than it really is!
 I was also asked to knit it in black and although it looks good it's not so easy to photograph  so have had to quickly knit in better colour for the purpose of this blog.

To fit head circumference up to 20 inches
GAUGE21 sts/28 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch using larger needles







Abbreviations used :
C4F: Slip 2 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work; k2 from left needle, k2 from cable needle.
C6B: Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold to back of work; k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle.
C6F: Slip 3 sts to cable needle and hold to front of work; k3 from left needle, k3 from cable needle.
skp: Sl 1 knitwise, k1, pass slipped st over. 1 st decreased.
kfb: knit the front and back of stitch to create an extra stitch.
k2togtbl: knit 2 together through back of loop.
You will need:
1 Ball Double Knit type yarn
Size 3.5mm needles
Size 4mm needles
Cable needle
Sewing Needle
Balloon or dinner plate for blocking

Instructions:

With size 3.5mm needle cast on 104sts and work 12 rows k2, p2 rib
next row (right side) *(k1,kfb) 6 times, k1 repeat from * 7 times -152 sts
next row purl
Change to 4mm needles to work hat body pattern:
Row 1:* k13, p1, k4, p1 repeat from* to end
Row 2: purl

Row 3: *k13, p1, c4f, p1 repeat from*
Row4: purl
Row 5: * c6b, k1, c6f, p1, k4, p1 repeat from*
Row 6: *p10, ( k1, p1) 3 times, p3 repeat from*
Row 7: * k3, p1 ( k1,p1) 3 times, k3,p1,c4f, p1 repeat from*
Row 8: *p10, ( k1, p1) 3 times, p3 repeat from*
Row 9: *k3,( p1, k1) 3 times, p1, k3, p1, k4, p1,  repeat from *
Row10: *p10, ( k1,p1) 3 times, p3 repeat from*
Row 11: *k3, p1,( k1, p1) 3times,  k3, p1, c4f, p1 repeat from*
Row 12: *p10, ( k1,p1) 3times  p3 repeat from *
Row 13: *c6f, p1, c6b, p1, k4, p1 repeat from*
Row 14: purl
Row 15: *k13, p1, c4f, p1 repeat from*
Row 16: purl

Row 17: *k13, p1, k4, p1 repeat from*
Row 18: purl
Row 19: *k13, p1, c4f, p1 repeat from*
Row 20: purl
Row 21: *c6b, p1, c6f, p1, k4, p1 repeat from*

To shape crown:

Row 1:* p1, skp, p7, (k1,p1) 3 times, p3 repeat from*
Row 2: *k3, (k1, p1) 3 times, k6, skp, k1 repeat from*
Row 3: *p7, (k1, p1) 3 times, k1,p3 repeat from*
Row 4: * k3, (k1, p1) 3 times,k5, skp, k1 repeat from*
Row 5: * p6, (k1, p1,) 3 times, k1, p3, repear from*
Row 6: * k3 (k1, p1,) 3 times, k4, skp, k1 repeat from*
Row 7: * p5 (k1, p1,) 3times, k1, p3 repeat from*
Row 8: *k3, (k1, p1) 3 times, k4, k2tog, repeat from*
Row 9: *p4, (k1, p1,) 3times, k1, p3 repeat from*
Row 10: * k3, p2tog, (k1, p1,) 2 times, k3, k2tog repeat from*
Row 11: *p3, ( k1, p1,) 3 times, p3 repeat from*
Row 12: *k2 ( k1, p1,) 3times, k4 repeat from*
Row 13: * p3, ( k1, p1,) 3 times, p3 repeat from*

Row 14: * k2, skp, k1, p1, k1, p1, k2tog, k2 repeat from*
Row 15: * p4, k1, p1, k1, p3 repeat from*
Row 16: *k2, k2togtbl, p1, k1, k2tog, k2 repeat from*
Row 17: *p3, k1, p4 repeat from*
Row 18: *k3, k2tog, k3 repeat from*
Row 19: purl
Row 20: * k2, k2tog, k3 repeat from *
Row 21: * p1, p2tog, p3 repeat from*
Row 22: * k1, k2tog, k2 repeat from*
Row 23: *p1, p2tog, p1 repeat from*
Row 24: *k2tog repeat from*
8 sts remain.
Break yarn and draw through remaining sts. Pull tight, then sew seam.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block. The body of this hat grows and achieves its shape through wet blocking. I used a dinner plate but can also be blocked using an inflated balloon. Both methods work well.
This is a nice thick hat that is as visually interesting as it is warm. Enjoy!