Cascade Yarns W Celtic Cable and Rib Beanie & Mitten Pattern

Cascade Yarns W Celtic Cable and Rib Beanie & Mitten Set

What Is Being Made

This free downloadable knitting pattern from Cascade Yarns provides instructions for creating a coordinated winter accessory set consisting of a Celtic Cable and Rib Beanie and matching mittens. The beanie is designed in two sizes—S/M with an 18-inch circumference and 7.5-inch length, and L/XL with a 19-inch circumference and 8.25-inch length. The mittens are offered in corresponding sizes, with S/M mittens measuring 7.5 inches in circumference and 9.25 inches long (unstretched), while L/XL mittens measure 10 inches in circumference and 10.25 inches long (unstretched). The pattern was designed by Linda Medina and is suitable for knitters with intermediate-level skills.

Techniques Used

This pattern employs several intermediate knitting techniques that create visual texture and dimension. Cable crossing is a primary technique, executed using a cable needle to create the distinctive Celtic Cable pattern that gives the set its name and character. The pattern includes both back crosses and front crosses, as well as knit crosses, which are variations that add complexity to the cable work. The beanie and mittens are constructed using the circular knitting method on circular needles and double-pointed needles (DPNs), allowing for seamless, tubular construction. Ribbed edging provides elasticity and structure to the cuffs and openings. The pattern also incorporates increases and decreases to shape the mittens and crown of the beanie, with techniques such as knitting two stitches together and purling two stitches together for shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches form the foundation of the pattern
• 1x1 Rib Pattern creates the elastic ribbed sections, alternating knit and purl stitches across rounds
• Celtic Cable & Rib Pattern serves as the main decorative stitch pattern, combining cable crosses with ribbed elements
• Back Cross (BC)—slip one stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit one stitch, then purl one stitch from cable needle
• Back Knit Cross (BKC)—slip one stitch to cable needle and hold at back, knit one stitch, then knit one stitch from cable needle
• Front Cross (FC)—slip one stitch to cable needle and hold at front, purl one stitch, then knit one stitch from cable needle
• Front Knit Cross (FKC)—slip one stitch to cable needle and hold at front, knit one stitch, then knit one stitch from cable needle
• Knit two together (K2tog) and Purl two together (P2tog) for decreasing
• Purl into the front and back (PFB) for increasing

Materials

The pattern calls for Cascade Yarns Cascade 220®, a worsted-weight yarn composed of 100% Peruvian Highland Wool. Two skeins in color #2441 (River Rock) are required, with each skein containing 100 grams (3.5 ounces) and 220 yards (200 meters) of yarn. For the S/M size, US 6 (4mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches and matching double-pointed needles are used to achieve the correct gauge. For the L/XL size, US 8 (5mm) circular and double-pointed needles are substituted. Additional materials include a cable needle for executing cable crosses, stitch markers to track pattern repeats and size increases, a yarn needle for weaving in ends, four decorative ⅝-inch buttons for trim embellishment, and a 12-inch piece of contrasting color scrap yarn for provisional casting or stitch holders. The gauge for S/M is 28 stitches by 26 rows over 4 inches in the Celtic Cable & Rib Pattern using US 6 needles (blocked), while L/XL achieves 26 stitches by 23 rows over