This quick knit hat incorporates an easy-to-memorize faux cable pattern adapted from The Stitch Collection by Debbie O’Neill. No cable needle required!

The effect is achieved using slipped stitches which are dropped every six rows. It’s somewhat terrifying the first time, but lots of fun after that. And since the slipped stitches combat pooling, SoCal works especially well with variegated yarns.

1/14/2014: The pattern has been updated to correct an error in the stitch pattern. The correct version of the pattern is labeled SoCalHat.v2.pdf.