I've fashioned this cap from a variety of different patterns, and just trial and error until I got what I wanted, which was a nice, tight fitting watch cap.
I make these in the round on circular needles, but you could adapt it to ‘flat' knitting easily. Just make sure that your decrease rounds at the crown fall on your ‘knit'(right side)rows.
4.0 mm (US #6) short (16") circular needles (or straights, if you're knitting flat)
4.0 mm (US#6) dp needles to switch to when decreasing (as the circular needle will be too long for the reduced number of stitches)
stitch marker
Worsted weight yarn of your choice. I found Wool Ease to be perfect for this. If you are using a worsted weight yarn other than Wool Ease (i.e. Red Heart which tends to be a thicker worsted weight yarn) consider using the lesser number of stitches.
I used the 116 stitches and navy blue Wool Ease for my husband's watch cap and his head is 23" (hat size 7 1/4). However, the cap I made for Steve (neighbour) I used Bernat Muskoka which is thicker than Wool Ease and the 116 stitches, and it came out noticeably larger (i.e. an inch or so) but as Bill so kindly (?) said, Steve's head is fatter than his! And it did fit Steve perfectly.
You can adjust this for any number of stitches, as long as it's divisible by four, so that the decreases work out. The decreases work in quarters: i.e. you are decreasing one-fourth each time.
Cast on 116 (108) stitches. Place marker and join round. Work hat in 1X1 twisted rib (k1 p1) ... twisted rib is made simply by knitting into the back of each knit stitch, instead of the front which is the ‘normal' way. This produces a firm yet stretchy fabric.
Continue working in 1x1 twisted rib to 9 or 10 inches. I wouldn't go longer than 10 inches because then the fold-over brim would be too big.
Now you start your decreases: (switch to dp needles when the number of stitches makes it difficult to continue on the circulars)
1st decreasing round: *K1 P1 SSK* repeat around. You should end up with 87 (81) stitches after decreasing.
Twisted Rib evenly for 4 rounds (work each stitch either K or P as it appears)
2nd decreasing round: *SSK - P1* repeat around. Note: you will need to use the last knit stitch on the previous round (one stitch before the marker) for your first SSK of this round. You should end up with 58 (54) stitches.
Twisted Rib evenly for 3 rounds (work each stitch either K or P as it appears)
3rd decreasing round: *SSK* repeat around. You should end up with 29 (27) stitches.
Twisted Rib evenly for 1 round.
4th decreasing round: *SSK* repeat around to last stitch; K1. You should end up with 15 (13) stitches.
Leaving a long tail, cut yarn. Using a needle, thread the yarn through the remaining stitches and draw up tightly. Secure end. I usually draw it through the stitches twice. Weave in ends and voila, you're done!!
Copyright © 2000 by Terri Lee Royea. All Rights Reserved. Images, text and html coding belong to the author. These patterns are intended for your own personal use and may be distributed FREELY as long as proper attribution is made.
