If you love the look of cables but don’t love performing full scale crochet acrobatics, the Lone Twist Beanie is about to become your new best friend. This cozy hat features one elegant cable running through the length, but here’s the twist (literally):
It isn’t made with traditional cable stitches. No front posts, no back posts, no yarn-over gymnastics that make you question your life choices.
Instead, the cable is formed using short rows, simple, satisfying and beautifully effective.
A Sideways Made Beanie? Yes, indeed.
This pattern is worked sideways, which gives the fabric a natural stretch and gorgeous texture. If you’ve ever enjoyed the rhythmic back and forth of crocheting rows, this method will feel like home. And if you’ve never tried a sideways hat before, don’t worry-it’s easier than trying to hide your yarn stash from family members.
The sideways construction lets the cable sit right in the centre, giving the look of something far more complicated than it actually is. We love an illusion of fancy without the stress!
The Magic of the Short Row Cable
Short rows do all the heavy lifting here. By working partial rows, you build height in certain areas that naturally twist to create the cable. The result? A crisp, textured twist running down the front of the hat-subtle, modern and the perfect amount of “Ooooh, did you really make that?”
Materials
To keep things easy and accessible, this pattern uses:
- Worsted weight/weight 4 yarn. Approximately 185 meters Great stitch definition, great squish and perfect for that centre cable.
- 5mm crochet hook. Just the right size for soft drape and comfortable stretch.
- Tapestry needle, stitch markers (optional), a pom pom and a sense of triumph!
I used Hayfield Bonus Aran with Wool for the beanie pictured here. However, any weight 4/worsted/aran yarn will be perfectly fine.
Why You’ll Love This Beanie
- Beginner-friendly stitches – truly approachable, even if cables scared you off before.
- A modern single-cable focus – clean, minimal and striking.
- Sideways construction – delicious texture and natural stretch.
- No traditional cable stitches – your wrists will thank you!
- Quick and giftable – ideal for last minute Christmas makes or stocking fillers.
A Perfect Winter Project
If you’re looking for a relaxing project that still looks high end, the crochet Lone Twist Beanie ticks all the boxes. It’s the kind of pattern that makes you look like you spent hours mastering the ancient art of cable wizardry…when really, you just used clever short rows.
Ready to give it a go? Grab your yarn, your hook, maybe a cup of tea, and enjoy the soothing sideways rhythm of the Lone Twist Beanie.
Video Tutorial and Printable Pdf
If you are more of a visual learner, you can watch the step by step Youtube video tutorial. We highly recommend you have a quick watch of this before beginning the pattern. Not to say this is a difficult pattern to follow but having a visual aid will help you know where to make certain stitches.
Fancy have the ad-free printable pattern. You can purchase the pattern through our Etsy Shop.
Stitches & Abbreviation
Ch = chain
sc = single crochet
scblo = single crochet back loop only
hdc = half double crochet
hdcblo = half double crochet back loop only
yoslstblo = yarn over slip stitch back loop only
st(s) = stitch(es)
rep = repeat
rem = remain(ing)
SPECIAL STITCH: Yarn over slip stitch (yoslst) – yarn over, insert hook into designated st, pull up loop, three loops on hook now. Pull the top loop through the two bottom loops on the hook
GAUGE: 16 sts x 16 rows = 4″/10cm using the hdcblo, slstblo stitch pattern
Crochet Lone Twist Beanie Pattern
Ch 44
Row 1: slst in 2nd ch from hook and in each of the next 7 chains, *hdc in next ch, slst in the next, rep from * across until 5 sts rem, slst in each st, turn.
Row 2: Ch 1, slstblo 5, *slstblo in next st, hdcblo in the next, rep from * across until 8 chains rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 3: Ch 1, slstblo 8, *hdcblo in next st, slstblo in the next, rep from * across until 5 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 4: Ch 1, slstblo 5, *slstblo in next st, hdcblo in the next, rep from * across until 8 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Rep Rows 3-4 until the end of Row 32.
Row 33: Ch 1, slstblo 8, yoslstblo in each st across until 5 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 34: Ch 1, slstblo 5, yoslstblo in each st across until 8 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 35: Ch 1, slstblo 8, scblo 6, turn.
Row 36: Ch 1, slstblo 14, turn.
Rows 37-38: rep Row 36.
Row 39: Ch 1, slstblo 8, scblo 6, ch 2, scblo 6 on foundation row, turn.
Row 40: Ch 1, slstblo 22, turn.
Rows 41-42: rep Row 40.
Row 43: Ch 1, slstblo 8, scblo 14, ch 2, scblo 6 on foundation row, turn.
Row 44: Ch 1, slstblo 14, slst in edge of sc row in the hole, turn.
Row 45: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, slstblo 14, turn.
Row 46: Ch 1, slstblo 14, slst in edge of slst row in hole, turn.
Row 47: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, scblo 14, ch 2, scblo 6 on foundation row, turn.
Row 48: Ch 1, slstblo 14, slst in edge of sc row in the hole, turn.
Row 49: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, slstblo 14, turn.
Row 50: Ch 1, slstblo 14, slst in edge of slst row in the hole, turn.
Row 51: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, scblo 14, ch 2, scblo 6 on foundation row, slstblo in each of the last 5 rem sts, turn.
Row 52: Ch 1, slstblo 5, slstblo 14, slst in edge of sc row in the hole, turn.
Row 53: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, slstblo 19, turn.
Row 54: Ch 1, slstblo 19, slst in edge of slst row in the hole, turn.
Row 55: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, scblo 14, slstblo 5, turn.
Row 56: Ch 1, slstblo 11, slst in edge of sc row in the hole, turn.
Row 57: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, slstblo 11, turn.
Row 58: Ch 1, slstblo 11, slst in edge of slst row in the hole, turn.
Row 59: Ch 1, skip the 1st st, scblo 6, slstblo 5, turn.
Row 60: Ch 1, slstblo 11, *skip 2 sts, slstblo 6, rep from * across until 8 sts rem, slst in each st, turn.
Row 61: Ch 1, slstblo 8, yoslstblo across until 5 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 62: Ch 1, slstblo 5, yoslstblo across until 8 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 63: Ch 1, slstblo 8, *hdcblo in next st, slstblo in the next, rep from * across until 5 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Row 64: Ch 1, slstblo 5, *slstblo in next st, hdcblo in the next, rep from * across until 8 sts rem, slstblo in each st, turn.
Rep Rows 63-64 until the end of Row 94. Fasten off leaving a long tail.
Seaming
Fold the beanie in half lengthwise making sure the right side is in the inside. Using your long tail and yarn needle seam the side closed from the bottom (the brim) all the way up to the crown. Once at the crown, weave the yarn in and out of each ridge of the crown. When finished pull yarn tightly (being careful not to tear the yarn!) to close the top of the beanie. Secure with a few stitches. Sew on your preferred pom pom and enjoy!