The Apres Ski Hat Pattern

While skiing might cost money, your Apres Ski Hat doesn’t.

A chunky cable knit hat pattern that feels as good as it looks, the Apres Ski hat is the perfect beginner hat pattern.  This hat is simple, fully written out (no charts), and simple to follow.  It’s comfortable to wear, and fun to make. 

The purl stitches in between chunky cables make this a visually stunning yet simple pattern.  With the North East digging out from a record storm – and Boston, well, I don’t quite know how you dig out from freezing flood waters, stay warm friends, I thought it was a great time to share some knitting patterns for free. 

What you need to knit the Apres Ski Hat Pattern

Yarn: Big Twist Yarns Premium, or any similar medium/4 yarn.  This is made from 100% acrylic so it holds up to quite a bit of abuse.  Just remember to hand wash your hat if you opt for a pompom.

Gauge: 17 STS X 23 rows = 4”X4” on a US size nine (9) needle

Abbreviations for the Apres Ski Hat:

CO: Cast On
STS: Stitches
K: Knit
K1TB: Knit next stitch through the back
K2Tog: Knit two stitches together
P2Tog: Purl two stitches together
P3Tog: Purl three stitches together

C6F: Cable Six Front (put the first three stitches on a cable needle and hold at the front of the work, knit next three stitches, and then knit three from cable needle)

Care Instructions: Machine washable, tumble dry

Needle: US Size 6 circular needle for a looser brim, a US Size 5 for a tighter brim.  I like to have a looser brim personally so that I can wear my hats comfortably with my glasses.  Double pointed needles of the US size 6, Tapestry Needle

Apres Ski Pattern

Cast On: 

Small: 100 Stitches 

Medium: 110

Large: 120

Loose Fitting Brim: Use US Size 6 needle.

Snug Brim: USE US Size 4 or 5 needle.

Slouchy Option: Use Small or Medium number for cast on, and then increase by multiples of 10 STS.

Join in the round, taking care to make sure that none of the stitches are twisted.

Place Stitch Marker

Rounds 1-14: *Knit one stitch through the back, Purl 1 stitch* Repeat until end of the round

Rounds 15 and 16: Either knit all stitches, Or, set up for the cable rounds by *Knit 6, Purl 4* Repeat until end of the round

Cable Pattern:

Round 1: *Cable 6 stitches to the front, Purl 4* Repeat until end of the round

Rounds 2-7: *Knit 6 stitches, Purl 4 stitches* Repeat until end of round  

Repeat the Cable pattern 4 times.

Your hat should measure around 7 inches – maybe a little more by now.  This is where I like to start decreasing and shaping the crown of the hat, but you are welcome to knit another cable if you like more a slouchy hat.

Decrease Section:

Round 1: *Cable 6 stitches to the Front, Purl 1, Purl 2 stitches Together, Purl 1 stitch* Repeat until end of the round

Rounds 2-4: *Knit 6 stitches, Purl 3 stitches* Repeat until end of round

Round 5: *Knit 1 stitch, Knit 2 stitches together, Knit 2 stitches together, Knit 1 stitch, Purl 3 stitches* Repeat until the end of the round

Round 6 – 7: *knit 4 stitches, Purl 3 stitches* Repeat until end of the round

Round 8: *Cable 4 stitches to the Front, Purl 3 stitches* Repeat until end of the round.

Round 9: *Knit 4 stitches, Purl 3 stitches together* Repeat until end of the round

Round 10: *Knit 4 stitches, Purl 1 stitch* Repeat until end of the round

Round 11: *Knit 1 stitch, Knit 2 stitches together, Knit 1 stitch, Purl 1 stitch* Repeat until end of the round

Round 12: *Knit 3 stitches together, Purl 1 stitch* Repeat until end of the round

Round 13: *Knit 2 stitches together* Repeat until end of round 

Break yarn and thread through the remaining live stitches.  Pull the yarn tight and knot it as you prefer.

Use Tapestry needle to weave in the tails of yarn.

If you’d like a little bit of flare or fun you can add a pompom to the hat, but I’d recommend hand washing it if you do.