Snowtracks Cap

Make this beautiful Snowtracks Cap and look stylish no matter what the weather throws your way. This trendy hat is the perfect go-to winter accessory and is great for both men and women alike.  If you're looking for a knitting challenge, this knit hat pattern is a great one to start working on now.  The beautiful knit cables wind down this hat and give it a great look and texture that people of all ages are sure to love.  Make one in all your favorite colors so your head can stay warm no matter what outfit you're wearing!  This knit cable hat also makes a wonderful gift or stocking stuffer for a loved one or friend.

Materials:

• 1 ball Stitch Nation by Debbie Stoller™ “Bamboo Ewe™” yarn in Mercury
• 3.75 [US 5] and 4.5mm [US 7] 16” long circular knitting needles
• 1 set 4.5mm [US 7] double pointed knitting needles

Gauge: 28 sts = 4”; 26 rounds = 4” in Rib, slightly stretched. Check your gauge: Use any size needle to obtain the gauge.

Special Abbreviations:

• 2/2 LPC = Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to front; p2, k2 from cable needle.
• 2/2 RPC = Slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to back; k2, p2 from cable needle.
• 2/2 LC = slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to front; k2; k2 from cable needle.
• 2/2 RC = slip next 2 sts to cable needle, hold to back; k2; k2 from cable needle.
• Ssk = Slip next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time to right needle; insert point of left needle into the fronts of these 2 sts and knit them together from this position.
• Ssp = Slip next 2 sts knitwise, one at a time to right hand needle; pass them back to left hand needle and p2togtbl.

Notes:

• Hat is worked in the round. As stitches are decreased and no longer fit on circular needle, divide them among 3 double pointed needles to complete.
• K2, p2 Rib (worked over a multiple of 4 sts) Round 1 (Right Side): * K2, p2; repeat from * around. Repeat Round 1 for K2, p2 rib.

Instructions:
Directions are for size Small; changes for sizes Medium/Large are in parentheses. To Fit Head Circumference: 22" (24").
Size Small fits as a skullcap. Size Medium/Large fits as a beanie with upturned brim.

Cap

1. With smaller needles, cast on 100 (120) sts. Place marker for beginning of round and join, being careful not to twist sts. Work in K2, p2 rib for 1½ (3½)”.
    
2. Next Round (Inc): [(k2, p2) twice, k1, k into front and back of st, p1, p into front and back of st, (k2, p2) twice] 5 (6) times–110 (132) sts
    
3. Next Round: Work even in rib pattern as established, purl increased sts.

Setup Cable Pattern

1. Change to larger needles, begin with Round 1, work Cable pattern from chart or instructions below:
    
2. Round 1: [K2, p2, k2, p2, 2/2 LPC, 2/2 RPC, p2, k2, p2] 5 (6) times.
    
3. Round 2 and all even-numbered rounds: K the knit sts and p the purl sts.
    
4. Round 3: [K2, p2, k2, p4, 2/2 LC, p4, k2, p2] 5 (6) times.
    
5. Round 5: [K2, p2, (2/2 LPC, 2/2 RPC) twice, p2] 5 (6) times.
    
6. Round 7: [K2, p4, 2/2 RC, p4, 2/2 RC, p4] 5 (6) times.
    
7. Round 9: [K2, p2, (2/2 RPC, 2/2 LPC) twice, p2] 5 (6) times.
    
8. Round 11: Repeat Round 3.
    
9. Round 13: Repeat Round 5.
    
10. Round 15: Repeat Round 7.
     
11. Round 17: Repeat Round 9.
     
12. Round 19: Repeat Round 3.
     
13. Rounds 20-22: K the knit sts and p the purl sts.
     
14. Round 23: Repeat Round 3.
     
15. Round 25: [K2, p2, k2, p2, 2/2 RPC, 2/2 LPC, p2, k2, p2] 5 (6) times.
     
16. Rounds 26-28: K the knit sts and p the purl sts.

Shape Crown

1. Round 1: [K2, (p2, k2) twice, ssp, p2tog, (k2, p2) twice] 5 (6) times–100 (120) sts.
    
2. Round 2 and even numbered rounds: K the knit sts and p the purl sts.
    
3. Round 3: [k2, p2tog, (k2, p2) 3 times, k2, p2tog] 5 (6) times. 90 (108) sts.
    
4. Round 5: [K2, p1, k2, p2tog, k2, p2, k2, p2tog, k2, p1] 5 (6) times–80 (96) sts.
    
5. Round 7: [K2, (p1, k2) twice, p2tog, (k2, p1) twice] 5 (6) times–75 (90) sts.
    
6. Round 9: [(K2, p1) twice, ssk, p1, k2tog, p1, k2, p1] 5 (6) times–65 (78) sts.
    
7. Round 11: [K2, p1, ssk, (p1, k1) twice, p1, k2tog, p1] 5 (6) times–55 (66) sts.
    
8. Round 13: [K2tog, p1, (k1, p1) 4 times)] 5 (6) times–50 (60) sts.
    
9. Round 15: [Ssk, k1, p1, ssk, k1, p1, ssk] 5 (6) times–35 (42) sts.
    
10. Round 16: [K2, k2tog, k1, k2tog] 5 (6) times– 25 (30) sts.
     
11. Round 17: [K2tog, k1, k2tog] 5 (6) times–15 (18) sts.
     
12. Round 18: K2tog around, k1 (0)–8 (9) sts.

Finishing

1. Cut yarn leaving long tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull tightly to secure. Weave in yarn ends.