Cabled Santa Beret

Materials: 1 skein each of white and red worsted weight yarn; size 9 knitting needles, cable needle (dpn).

Gauge: Approximately 4 sts/inch in stockinette stitch

With white yarn, Cast on 8 sts.

Braided Cable:
Row1, 3: p8.
Row2: p1, slip 2 sts to dpn (double pointed cable needle) and hold in front, k2, k2 sts from dpn, k2, p1.
Row4: p1, k2, slip 2 sts to dpn and hold in back, k2, k2 from dpn, p1.

Repeat these 4 rows until cable measures long enough to fit around head when somewhat stretched. (about 21-22 inches) (Do not sew together. Hat is worked on straight needles and sewn together at the very end.)Bind off.

With red yarn, pick up 138 sts evenly along one edge of cable.
Row1,3(wrong side): k1, *p4, k13, rep from *, end last repeat k14.
Row 2: p14, *slip 2 sts to dpn and hold in back, k2, then k2 from dpn, p13; rep from *, end p1.
Row 4: p14, *k4, p13; rep from *, end p1.

Repeat these 4 rows till red piece measures 2-3 inches.
Decreases for top of hat:
Keeping in pattern, decrease one stitch in each group of purl sts every right-side row.
When 34 sts remain on needle, p1, k2tog across, p1.
Next row: p1, p2tog across, p1.
Cut yarn and thread through remaining sts.

For Front Flap (optional):
Pick up 35 sts along bottom center front of band .
Work p1, k1 rib for 1 row.
To form flap, work short rows as follows:
Leave 2 sts unworked at end of next 4 rows (adding on to previous unworked sts), then 3 unworked sts at end of next 2 rows.
Turn, and work rib across all sts, including unworked sts.
Turn, and bind off in rib across all sts, including remaining unworked sts.

Sew back seam from top of beret to bottom of cabled band.

Make a pom pom from white yarn and sew to top of hat.