I thought I knew cables.
You know, twist left, twist right, repeat. Reliable, classic, maybe even a bit… predictable?
But something shifted.
I found myself in Madrid this February, wandering through streets full of unexpected contrasts — light and shadow, old and new, quiet corners with sudden bursts of colour.
And it got me thinking … what if I approached cables the same way?
That’s how the Madra Hat and Madra Cowl were born.
Two patterns. One yarn. And a whole new take on cables.
And you know how much I love bringing a new twist to well known knitting techniques!
Both patterns are worked using cables, but with a difference. The hat uses reversible cables for a fully reversible hat and the cowl has two colour cables that create a cable that appears to ‘float’ across the surface of your knitting.
Madra Hat Details
The intricate visual of this cable pattern forms a fantastic reversible hat. Each side looks different but equally beautiful. The brim can be knit as shown double length to be folded over for warmth and stability or it can be knit at half the length for a simple ribbed edging.
I’ve used a contrast colour for this hat but you can work it all in a single colour if you prefer. You can see for the gauge of this cable that when you make them reversible it makes a much thicker fabric. This does mean that you’ll use more yarn for this hat than you normally would with cables.
Madra Hat Details
SIZES
S (M, L, XL)
To Fit Actual Head Circumference up to: 20.75 (23, 25, 27)” / 52.5 (58.5, 63.5, 68.5) cm
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Brim Circumference: 18.75 (21, 23, 25)” / 47.5 (53.5, 58.5, 63.5) cm
Size M modelled with 2″ / 5 cm of negative ease.
YARN
C1: Stolen Stitches ‘Deas’ (86% Merino Wool, 14% Mohair; 202 yds / 185 m per 3.6 oz / 100 g); Colour: Sea Spray; 1 skein
C2: Stolen Stitches ‘Deas’ (86% Merino Wool, 14% Mohair; 202 yds / 185 m per 3.6 oz / 100 g); Colour: Turf; 1 skein
Approximate Yardage: C1: 81 (92, 101, 123) yds / 74 (82, 90, 111) m; C2: 122 (136, 150, 166) yds / 110 (122, 134, 146) m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 6 / 4 mm circular needle, 40”/ 100 cm for magic loop or 16”/ 40 cm for brim
US size 7 / 4.5 mm circular needle, 40”/ 100 cm for magic loop or 16” / 40 cm plus dpns for Body
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Stitch markers, cable needle, tapestry needle.
GAUGE
23 sts and 28 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Ribbing with smaller needle
31 sts and 28 rnds = 4″ / 10 cm in Ribbing Cable with larger needle
Madra Cowl Details
The delicate weaving of cables across a garter stitch background is just magical!
The crossover buttoning of this cowl makes it easy to adjust to your perfect length. This cowl is knit flat and then you add buttons to join it around your neck. You could even seam the edge if you prefer.
Two colour cables always look far more complex than they are. You are just working a striped garter stitch background with slipped stitches for the cables when you are working the contrast colour. The rest is exactly the same as a standard cable.
SIZES
One Size
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Open Length: 27.5” / 70 cm
Width: 9″ / 23 cm
YARN
C1: Stolen Stitches ‘Deas’ (86% Merino Wool, 14% Mohair; 202 yds / 185 m per 3.6 oz / 100 g); Colour: Sea Spray; 1 skein
C2: Stolen Stitches ‘Deas’ (86% Merino Wool, 14% Mohair; 202 yds / 185 m per 3.6 oz / 100 g); Colour: Turf; 1 skein
Approximate Yardage: C1: 138 yds / 133 m; C2: 122 yds / 109 m
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US size 8 / 5 mm, for working straight
US size 8 / 5 mm circular needle, 40”/ 100 cm for edging
Always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed, as every knitter’s gauge is unique.
Stitch markers, cable needle, 3 buttons approx 1” / 22 mm diameter, tapestry needle.
GAUGE
17 sts and 34 rows = 4″ / 10 cm in Garter Stitch
39 Stitch Lattice Cable Chart measures 9″ / 23 cm x 4” / 10 cm
How To Purchase
Whether you’re looking to challenge your cable skills or simply wrap yourself in a little cosy magic, the Madra hat and cowl are a delight to knit and to wear. With textures that surprise and techniques that feel fresh, they’re the perfect project for knitters ready to try something a little different without losing the joy of process knitting.
So, if you’ve been craving a pattern that plays with tradition while staying firmly in the realm of wearable comfort, Madra might just be your next cast-on.
Who says cables can’t have a little fun?
Find the Madra Hat and Madra Cowl patterns on the Stolen Stitches website, and pick up your skeins of Deas to get started:
Happy knitting and don’t forget to show us your finished knits!