A unisex crochet accessory that's covered in cables and fun to wear!
Scroll down for the FREE baby sized written pattern, grab the affordable, ad-free pdf that includes 6 sizes from my shops (Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr), or watch the step-by-step video tutorial by scrolling all the way to the bottom!
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ABOUT
This unique beanie features eye-catching, twisting cables that emerge from the crown and effortlessly work their way down the ear flaps. Long braided straps accent the bottom of the beanie and allow you the option to tie for extra warmth on those bitter, cold days.
The pdf includes easy to follow instructions for 6 sizes (ranging from baby to large adult), a photo tutorial for the "advanced" part, plus a video tutorial so there's no confusion!
CONSTRUCTION
This beanie is worked from the top-down. You'll start by working the crown and body of the beanie in joined rounds and finish by working the ear flaps in rows.
BEHIND THE SCENES
Before even picking up my hook, I knew that I wanted it to be a top-down beanie. I prefer this type of construction because 1) you get to try it on as you go and 2) increasing on the crown, in my opinion, looks better than decreasing.
After playing around with the increases and cables (and by playing around, I mean frogging), I quickly learned that it would look best if the cables looked like they "grew" from the crown and didn't just abruptly start. Which, math wise, stumped be for a wee bit! (My excuse is that I was on vacation in the Smoky Mountains with my family, so I was a smidge distracted by the views, wildlife, and 9-month-old screaming in the backseat.)
Once I successfully made the entire beanie, I then had to grudgingly frog it.
Why may you ask? Because I worked the entire beanie in joined rounds without turning and then turned at the end of each row for the ear flaps. Which means the ear flaps and beanie looked slightly different.
But after that hiccup, I was off to the races!
CHECK OUT MY OTHER BEANIES!
TOP LEFT: I Smell Snow Beanie
TOP RIGHT: Sweetheart Beanie
BOTTOM LEFT: Halfpipe Beanie
BOTTOM RIGHT: Branch Out Beanie
TESTERS
Below are the Cable Trapper Beanies that were made during testing. Each talented crocheter gave up time, used up yarn, and shared knowledge to help make this pattern what it is and for that, I'm truly grateful. Click on each photo to see more of each maker's work on Instagram!
SIZES & MEASUREMENTS
Baby (Toddler, Child, Teen, Adult) (Large Adult)
MATERIALS NEEDED
HOOKS
4 mm crochet hook (or hook needed to obtain gauge)
YARN
Approx. 220 (240, 315, 345, 365) (415) yards of Sweet Delight by Baby Bee. Great substitutions include Must be Merino, Stylecraft special DK, Paintbox DK, or any dk weight yarn.)
NOTIONS
tape measure, threading needle scissors
ABBREVIATIONS
- beg: beginning
- bl: back loop
- ch(s): chain(s)
- dc(s): double crochet(s)
- f/o: finish off
- fpdc: front post double crochet
- fptc: front post treble crochet
- rnd: round
- sc(s): single crochet(s)
- slst: slip stitch
- st(s): stitch(es)
- x: time(s)
GAUGE
18 scs x 18 rows = 4 x 4” with 4 mm hook (This pattern is written based on measurements for length, so the gauge rows do not need to be met!)
ROW 1: ch 19, sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in each ch across, turn – 18 sts
ROW 2: ch 1 (never counts as st), sc in each st across, turn – 18 sts
ROWS 3-18: Repeat ROW 2.
DIFFICULTY: Intermediate
NOTES:
- Beanie is worked from the top-down, in joined rounds.
- Beginning ch never counts as a st and should always be tight.
SPECIAL STICHES
criss-cross: fptc around 3rd fpdc, fptc around 4th fpdc, fptc around 1st fpdc, fptc around 2nd fpdc
PRINT THE PATTERN
Grab the affordable pdf from my shops (Etsy, Ravelry, Ribblr)! It includes color-coded instructions for 6 sizes (baby, toddler, child, teen, adult, and large adult), plus it's printer friendly and ad-free!
CABLE TRAPPER BEANIE PATTERN
NOTES: Always pull beg chs tight. Beg chs never count as st. You will NOT be turning at the end of each rnd.
RND 1: magic circle, ch 2, place 12 dcs in magic circle, slst into first st – 12 sts
TIP: If the first st is a post st, wrap it around post AND beg ch 2 for a more “seamless” look.
RND 2: ch 2, place 2 fpdc around each dc, slst into first st - 24 sts
RND 3: ch 2, *fpdc, 2 fpdc*, repeat ** around, slst into first st - 36 sts
RND 4: ch 2, *fpdc, fpdc, 2 fpdc*, repeat ** around, slst into first st, TURN – 48 sts
NOTE: You will now be turning at the end of each rnd.
RND 5: ch 1, sc in each st around, slst into first st, turn – 48 sts
NOTE: You will now wrap every front post st around a front post st 2 RNDS down.
RND 6: ch 1, *sc AND fpdc in first st (counts as inc), fpdc 3x,* repeat ** around, slst into first st – 60 sts
RND 7: ch 1, sc in each st around, slst into first st, turn – 60 sts
NOTE: You're about to work a specific stitch called "criss-cross". See special stitches on page 3.
RND 8: ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, criss-cross (only skip 3 sts behind post sts),* repeat ** around, slst into first st – 72 sts
Continue to REPEAT RNDS.
REPEAT RNDS
RND A: ch 1, sc in each st around, slst into first st, turn – 72 sts RND B: ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, fpdc around next 4 posts*, repeat ** around, slst into first st, turn – 72 sts
RND C: ch 1, sc in each st around, slst into first st, turn – 72 sts
RND D: ch 1, *sc in next 2 sts, criss-cross*, repeat ** around, slst into first st, turn – 72 sts
Repeat RNDS A-D (ending with a RND B repeat) until beanie (from crown to current rnd) measures approx. 6”.
TRADITONAL BEANIE: With a .5 smaller hook (or with tighter tension), repeat RND A and f/o. Continue to FINISHING.
TRAPPER STYLE: Do NOT turn on last rnd. Instead slst over 2 sts and turn. Continue to 1 st EAR FLAP.
1st EAR FLAP
NOTE: You will now be working in ROWS instead of RNDS. Make sure to begin the first st in the last slst you made. (If you don’t start in the right st, the cables will not align.)
ROW 1: ch 1, sc2tog (make sure you start in the same st the last slst was on), sc in next 12 sts, sc2tog, turn – 14 sts
ROW 2: ch 1, *sc, sc, criss-cross,* repeat ** until 2 sts remain, sc, sc, turn – 14 sts
ROW 3: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn – 14 sts
ROW 4: ch 1, *sc, sc, fpdc 4x,* repeat ** until 2 sts remain, sc, sc, turn – 14 sts
ROW 5: ch 1, sc in each st across, turn – 14 sts
Repeat ROWS 2-5 (ending with a ROW 5 repeat) until ear flapmeasures approx. 2".
ROW 6: ch 1, sc2tog, *criss-cross, sc, sc*, repeat ** until 6 sts remain, criss-cross, sc2tog, turn – 12 sts
ROW 7: ch 1, sc2tog, sc across until 2 sts remain, sc2tog, turn – 10 sts
ROW 8: ch 1, sc2tog, fpdc 2x, sc, sc, fpdc 2x, sc2tog, turn – 8 sts ROW 9: sc2tog, sc, ch 4, skip 2 sts, sc, sc2tog
1st EAR FLAP: F/o and continue to 2nd EAR FLAP. 2nd EAR FLAP: Do NOT f/o and continue to EDGING.
2nd EAR FLAP
With the WS facing you and with the first ear flap on the right-hand side, count 15 sts over and attach a new strand of yarn to that 15th st. (These unworked sts will be the back of the beanie. See next example photo.) Repeat instructions from FIRST EAR FLAP starting with ROW 1. (Make sure to work into the same st you attached the yarn to!)
EDGING
ROW 1: turn, ch 1, sc until you reach ch, *place 4 sc around ch, sc in each row down flap, sc2tog where flap meets beanie, sc across beanie until next ear flap, sc2tog, sc in each row up flap*, repeat **, slst into first st
F/o and continue to BRAIDS.
BRAIDS x2
STEP 1: Cut 18 strands of yarn that are each 15" in length.
STEP 2: Flip beanie inside out.
STEP 3: Put 9 strands together (making sure they're all the same length at one end) and pinch the center point of the combined strands. (We will now refer to this spot as the "loop".)
STEP 4: Place loop under and through ch space on ear flap.
STEP 5: Place 2 fingers through loop, pull tail through loop, and tighten. STEP 6: Divide strands into 3 sections of 6 and braid. Knot and trim ends. Repeat BRAIDS for other ear flap.
Continue to FINISHING.
FINISHING
Weave in all ends and wear!
Voila! You now have an uber cozy beanie! Thank you so very much for supporting me. I hope you like the design as much as I do! Don’t forget to tag #CableTrapperBeanie and #KayKrochets on social media so I can see your new creation! Have a fantabulous day and never forget that the maker of this universe adores you!
❤ Kayla
