Knitting Techniques: Cabled Hat and Mitten Set Tutorial

Updated at: 06/02/2025

The crisp air of autumn and the first flurries of winter inspire cozy projects, and few are as satisfying as creating a handmade hat and mitten set. This tutorial guides you through the creation of a beautiful cabled hat and mitten set, perfect for keeping you warm and showcasing your knitting prowess. Cables, those textured, rope-like stitches, add a touch of elegance and sophistication that elevates a simple garment into a cherished heirloom. Whether you're a seasoned knitter looking for a new challenge or a beginner ready to tackle a more intricate design, this project offers a rewarding experience.

We'll explore the essential techniques needed to successfully knit these charming accessories, from casting on and creating the cables themselves to shaping the crown of the hat and ensuring a comfortable fit for your mittens. Prepare your needles and yarn, because let's dive into the step-by-step instructions that will transform your yarn into a stunning cabled hat and mitten set.

Safety Guidelines

  • Use sharp needles appropriate for your yarn weight to prevent dropped stitches and ensure even fabric. Dull needles can snag your yarn and make cabling difficult.
  • Pay close attention to your cable crosses. Incorrectly following the cable instructions can result in twisted or uneven cabling. It's helpful to use a cable needle to keep your crossed stitches secure and organized.
  • Always check your gauge before starting the project. An incorrect gauge will significantly impact the final size and fit of your hat and mittens. Knit a gauge swatch and block it before beginning the main project.

Methods: Increase (Make One Right)

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Make One Right Increase

    • Grab the horizontal bar between your stitches.
    • Insert your left needle from the back underneath the bar between stitches.
    • Knit through the front of that loop.
    Knit through the front of that loop.Knit through the front of that loop.Knit through the front of that loop.
    Make One Right Increase

Methods: Increase (Make One Left)

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Make One Left Increase

    • Go for the horizontal bar between your stitches.
    • Insert your left needle from the front to the back underneath the bar.
    • Knit through the back.
    Knit through the back.Knit through the back.Knit through the back.
    Make One Left Increase

Methods: Cable 6-pack (with Cable Needle)

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles
  • Cable needle

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Prepare Cable

    • Slip the first three stitches onto your cable needle and hold it behind your work.
    Slip the first three stitches onto your cable needle and hold it behind your work.
    Prepare Cable

  2. Knit Middle Stitches

    • Knit the next three stitches.
    Knit the next three stitches.
    Knit Middle Stitches

  3. Return and Knit Cable Stitches

    • Slip the three stitches from the cable needle back onto your needle (don't twist).
    • Knit those three stitches.
    Knit those three stitches.Knit those three stitches.Knit those three stitches.
    Return and Knit Cable Stitches

Methods: Cable 6-pack (without Cable Needle)

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Cable 6-Pack (without Cable Needle)

    • Hold the first three stitches to the back.
    • Knit the next three stitches.
    • Knit the first three stitches.
    Knit the first three stitches.Knit the first three stitches.Knit the first three stitches.Knit the first three stitches.Knit the first three stitches.Knit the first three stitches.
    Cable 6-Pack (without Cable Needle)

Tips

  • Use the tip of your right needle to help manage the stitches.

Methods: Backwards Loop Cast On

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles
  • Yarn needle
  • Scrap yarn

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Backwards Loop Cast On

    • Grab the yarn in your left hand.
    • Bring your thumb under and around the yarn.
    • Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.
    Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.Slip the loop onto your needle and tighten.
    Backwards Loop Cast On

Methods: Slip Slip Knit Decrease

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Slip Slip Knit Decrease

    • Slip the first stitch knitwise.
    • Slip the second stitch purlwise.
    • Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.
    Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.Bring your left needle back through the front of both stitches and knit them together.
    Slip Slip Knit Decrease

Methods: Center Double Decrease

Tools Needed

  • Knitting needles

Step-by-Step Instructions

  1. Center Double Decrease

    • Slip two stitches together knitwise to the right needle (at the same time).
    • Knit one stitch.
    • Pass the two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit.
    Pass the two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit.Pass the two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit.Pass the two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit.Pass the two slipped stitches over the stitch you just knit.
    Center Double Decrease

Read more: DIY Knitted Bookmarks: A Beginner's Guide to Creating Cute & Functional Bookmarks

Common Mistakes to Avoid

1. Inconsistent Cable Tension

Reason: Uneven tension while working cables creates a lumpy or distorted cable pattern, ruining the hat and mitten's aesthetic appeal.
Solution: Maintain consistent tension throughout the cable stitches by using a cable needle and keeping your yarn tension even.

2. Incorrect Cable Crossings

Reason: Mistaking the order of crossing stitches in the cable pattern results in an incorrect pattern and a misshapen cable.
Solution: Carefully follow the written instructions or chart, paying close attention to which stitches are crossed over and under.

3. Dropped Stitches

Reason: Dropped stitches disrupt the fabric structure, leading to holes and inconsistencies in the finished product, especially noticeable in cables.
Solution: Use a crochet hook or a smaller needle to carefully pick up dropped stitches and re-incorporate them into the work.

FAQs

I'm a beginner knitter. Is this pattern too difficult for me?
While cables add a bit of complexity, this pattern can be tackled by intermediate beginners. Take it slowly, and practice the cable crosses on a smaller swatch before starting the hat and mittens. There are plenty of video tutorials online to help with the cable techniques.