The Ballard is knitted in a beautiful cable pattern that is easy to memorize and suitable even for knitters who are just learning how to knit cables. The cable pattern is both charted and written row by row. The beanie is worked brim up and started with a tubular cast on, which makes the cast on edge neat and stretchy, although instructions are provided for the long tail cast on method as well. The brim has two options: a short and straight brim or a folded brim.

Size
Women’s medium (Men’s medium)
For head circumferences: 53-57 (57-61) cm / 20.75-22.5 (22.5-24) inches
Finished circumference: 48 (57) cm / 19 (22.5) inches
Total length (with short brim): 25 cm / 10 inches
Total length (with long brim unfolded): 34 cm / 13.5 inches

Yarn

Short brim version: 130 (160) m / 145 (175) yards of worsted weight yarn

Long brim version: 170 (205) m / 187 (225) yards of worsted weight yarn

Sample: 3 skeins of Fog & Fleece Sheepery Icelandic Handspun - Single Ply (Lopi style) (100% wool; 73 m / 80 yards per 50g), shown in taupe -2025 (Legacy).

Good alternatives for the yarn: Istex Lettlopi, Knitting For Olive Heavy Merino, De Rerum Natura Gilliatt

Needles
Note: Always use the needle size that gets you the right gauge!
3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles with a cable of 40 cm / 16 inches for the brim
4 mm / US 6 circular needles with a cable of 40 cm / 16 inches for the main part
4 mm / US 6 double pointed needles or a circular needle with a cable suitable for small circumference knitting for the top of the hat
cable needle (if using)

Gauge
20 sts (one pattern repeat) = 9.5 cm / 3.75 inches on the larger needles
21 sts and 28 rounds = 10 cm / 4 inches over cable pattern on the larger needles, after gentle blocking

Notions
waste yarn for the tubular cast on
tapestry needle