Charity Pattern: Helix Striped Cap

Charity Pattern: Helix Striped Cap

If I had to think of the perfect cap in terms of the actual knitting, it would contain no ribbing (tedious chore to me), no purling (likewise), no sewing up, and no gazillion yarn ends to darn in. This cap eliminates all of these and looks great to boot.

What you need

Worsted wt yarn, approx. 2 ozs in each of three colors, A, B, & C. 16″ circular needles sizes 6 and 7 or size needed to obtain gauge. Dpn’s size 7.

Instructions

Gauge: 4-1/2 sts = 1″ on size 7 needles

Size: Finished cap measures about 17-3/4″ around – fits a child about 3-5 yrs.

Pattern: This cap is made in 3 colors and ends in three I-Cord tassels at the top. It has a rolled brim at the bottom. Although the cap is striped, there is no color jog at the change of colors with this method of knitting.

With #6 needle, and Color A, cast on 81 sts. Join being careful not to twist.

Place marker for beginning of round. Knit around in color A for 3″. Change to # 7 needles.Introduce colors B & C as follows: Knit 27 sts in Color A, drop yarn, knit next 27 sts in Color B, drop yarn, knit 27 sts in Color C.Keep knitting around, picking up each new strand as you come to it. Don’t pick up the new color under the old or twist the yarns – no hole will develop, but do try to keep your tension even when switching colors. Snug the yarn up but don’t pull it too tightly.

Check after several rounds and see if you are working too loose or too tight. Notice that when you come to the end of the round, you will work the first 27 sts of the next round with the same color you just used. Just remember to change yarns where the new strand lies.

Knit around in this mode until total piece from beginning with edge unrolled measures 7-1/2″.

Decrease Rounds for Top: Maintaining color changes, work as follows:

Dec Rnd 1: *K7, k2tog, repeat from * around.

Knit one round.

Dec Rnd 2: *K6, k2tog, repeat from * around.

Knit one round.

Dec Rnd 3: *K5, k2tog, repeat from * around

Knit one round.

Decrease in this manner every other round having 1 less st between dec’s each time until you have 9 sts left. Change to dpn’s as needed. You will have 3 sts each of three colors left.Place 2 colors on a thread and knit I-Cord on the three sts of one color for about 8″. Bind off. Do the same on each of the other two colors.

Cut a length of yarn 16″ in length and double it. Tie the top I-cords together at the base. Thread the ends in a sewing up needle, poke them to the inside and weave in. Darn in those few yarn ends. Done.

Note: You can make the cap larger by using larger needles and working to 8-8-/12″ from bottom. At a gauge of 4 sts = 1″, the cap will measure 20″ around. When you finish, give the “seams” a tug, up and down and across to even out the stitches. Take a look – no color jog!

I-Cord: Place 3 sts on dpn and slide them to one end having yarn tail on your left. *Knit the three sts, bringing the yarn from left side. Do not turn. Slide the sts to the end of the needle and repeat from *. The yarn will always be coming from the left side producing a tiny tube such as that made on a Knitting Knobby.

This Charity Knitting Pattern was created by Joan Hamer – Manchester PA.

Visit our charity crafts page for listings of groups in your area who collect and donate these knitted items to charity.

Comments

  1. It looks very nice!

  2. cheryl breitung says

    It should state whether the size is US or mm.

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