‘Gwedenn’, a pretty cabled hat to knit for Christmas!

The comfort of a wide ribbed brim, the renewed magic of cables, the discreet elegance of twisted stitches and the pleasure of seeing the promise of a lovely, cosy, precious beanie take shape in just a few evenings: that’s what I wanted to offer you for the end of the year!

In the waning light of November, when the news from around the world is casting a shadow, I hope this pattern will inspire you to take a break and enjoy the simple joy of creating a beautiful, useful and meaningful object.

With its interplay of cables and twisted stitches (‘Gwedenn’ means ‘cable’ in Breton), this hat requires a little experience and focus, but is easy to make in just a few evenings. It is knitted seamlessly in the round from bottom to the top, starting with a wide single ribbed edge designed to be folded in half. Once the border is complete, the main part of the hat and the crown shaping are all represented in the form of charts (one for each size), so you can follow your progress by ticking off each completed round 🙂

The main cables each have a total of nine stitches (k3 / p3 / k3) but the twisting of the stitches is worked over two rows with two six-stitch cables: the cables are easier to make and the lower tension exerted on the yarn avoids creating holes.

The folded brim is very comfortable to wear and makes it easy to adjust the depth of the finished hat: simply fold it in more or less according to your preference and the size of your head.

The pattern has been designed to be continuous with the ribs of the border, so you can opt for a simple border by halving its height.

The ‘Gwedenn’ hat has been designed to be knitted in Gilliatt or by combining our Ulysse and Bérénice yarns. The pattern, which combines cables and twisted stitches, creates a much denser gauge, especially in width, than stockinette stitch, resulting in a gauge of 22 sts x 26 rows for 10 x 10 cm / 4 inches with 4.5 mm (US7) needles. In Gilliatt, the result is soft and warm, and the cables come out particularly well after a little blocking. It’s a perfect choice for an authentic, spectacular hat. With Ulysse and Bérénice, the result is more sophisticated, with a slightly fluffy, very soft fabric and slightly less definition in the pattern. This combination of yarns is ideal for a more urban, discreetly elegant hat.

The pattern comes in three sizes, so as many people as possible can enjoy it! In the detailed directions of the pattern below, you’ll find the measurements of the finished hat and the corresponding head sizes to help you choose the right size.

SIZES:

Child (adult S/M, adult M/L)

To fit head circumference up to: 40 to 46 (46 to 54, 53 to 59) cm / 15.75 to 18.25 (18.25 to 22, 20.75 to 23.25) inches with 2 to 8 cm / 0.75 to 3.25 inches of negative ease.

YARN & YARDAGE:

Single yarn version (GILLIATT)

Approx. 45 (60, 80) g or 1 ball of De Rerum Natura Gilliatt (Arles Merino and black Portuguese merino woolen spun; 250 m / 100 g) or approx. 115 (150, 200) m / 126 (165, 218) yards of similar worsted weight yarn.

Version with two yarns held together (ULYSSE + BÉRÉNICE)

Approx. 31 (40, 55) g or 1 (1, 2) ball(s) of De Rerum Natura Ulysse (Arles Merino and black Portuguese merino woolen spun; 185 m / 50 g) or 115 (150, 200) m / 126 (165, 218) yards of similar sport weight yarn.

AND

Approx.14 (18, 24) g or 1 ball of De Rerum Natura Bérénice (55% super kid mohair, 25% silk, 20% organic Arles merino; 210 m / 25 g) or approx. 115 (145, 195) m / 126 (159, 213) yards of similar lace weight yarn.

Gwedenn Hat knitted in S/M adult size in Ulysse «granit» and Bérénice «crépuscule».

GAUGE:

22 sts x 26 rows = 10 x 10 cm / 4 inches knitted in ribbed cables with larger needles (4.5 mm / US 7), measured after blocking.

NEEDLES:

4.5 mm / US 7 circular needles with a cable length of 40 cm / 16’’ for main part

4 mm / US 6 circular needles (or one size smaller than main needles) with a cable length of 40 cm / 16’’ for brim.

OTHER:

3 (4, 4) stitch markers

Cable needle

Yarn needle

ABBREVIATIONS:

CO = cast on

est = established

k = knit

k tbl = knit through back loop

M = marker

p = purl

pM = place a marker

rnd(s) = round(s)

st(s) = stitch(es)

WS = wrong side

CABLES

3/3 RC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold back, k3, k3 from cable needle.

3/3 LC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold front, k3, k3 from cable needle.

3/3 RPC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold back, k3, p3 from cable needle.

3/3 LPC: place 3 sts on cable needle, hold front, p3, k3 from cable needle.

2/2 RC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold back, k2, k2 from cable needle.

2/2 LC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold front, k2, k2 from cable needle.

2/2 RPC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold back, k2, p2 from cable needle.

2/2 LPC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold front, p2, k2 from cable needle.

2/1 RC: place 1 st on cable needle, hold back, k2, k1 from cable needle.

2/1 LC: place 2 sts on cable needle, hold front, k1, k2 from cable needle.

DECREASES

k2tog = knit two stitches together (1 st decreased)

p2tog = purl two stitches together (1 st decreased)

k3tog = knit three stitches together (2 st decreased)

ssk = slip, slip, knit: slip one stitch knitwise, slip one stitch purlwise, knit them together through back loop.

sssk = slip, slip, slip, knit: slip one stitch knitwise, slip one stitch purlwise, slip one stitch purlwise, knit them together through back loop. (2 st decreased)

CDDtbl = Central Double Decrease through back loop: slip one stitch knitwise, slip next stitch (= twisted stitch) through back loop in order to twist it, slip back these two stitches on left needle. Slip the two stitches, as if to knit them together, on right needle, k1, pass both slipped stitches over the knit stitch. (2 st decreased)

DIRECTIONS

BRIM

Using smallest needles (4 mm / US 6), CO 84 (96, 112) sts with your favorite method, preferably elastic.

A Yarn Over Tubular Cast-On method has been used for the hats knitted in Gilliatt «poivre blanc» and «aubépine» and a Long tail Cast-On method has been used for the Ulysse and Bérénice version.

Join in the round being careful not to twist. PM to indicate the beginning of the round.

Start working in 1×1 Rib as follows:

1x 1 Ribbing rnd: * k1, p1 * to end.

Work in est 1×1 Rib until work measures 10 (12, 12) cm / 4 (4.75, 4.75) inches from the CO edge.

MAIN SECTION AND CROWN SHAPING

With largest needles (4.5 mm / US 7), start working row 1 of Chart corresponding to your size.

The chart will be repeated 3 (4, 4) times per round in total.

You can place a stitch marker after each repeat to help identify repeats.

At the end of last rnd, 12 (16, 16) sts remain.

FINISHING

Cut yarn, thread the tail to a tapestry needle and pull it through the remaining sts. Pull tightly and secure the yarn tail on the WS.

Give your hat a quick bath and dry it flat, according to measurements given on page 2 and taking care not to stretch the ribs of the brim. Et voilà !

You can also download a PDF version of the pattern here:

I hope you’ll enjoy this pattern and feel like keeping your loved ones warm!

Don’t hesitate to share your comments and creations of this pattern on Ravelry or on Instagram (tagging @dererumnatura or #tutoDRN so we can find you), it’s always a pleasure for us to discover the beautiful things you do with our yarns!