Knitted cap

Size range:
 53–55 cm
56–59 cm

Construction:
The fabric is knitted in turning rounds with a seam on the back surface. The neck is knitted in the round. Finishing with i-cord trim.

Original yarn:
Any yarn with a meterage of 100 m per 100 g — merino, half-wool, angora, mink down.
I am knitting from Gazzal Viking 100 m / 100 g, consumption 220–250 g.
Mink down in 5 plies — 170–190 g.

Tools:

• Needles size 8 or those that match your gauge

• Needles two sizes smaller for the hem

• Crochet hook size 5 for the seam

• Crochet hook size 8 for the foundation chain

• Scissors

• 2 markers

• Measuring tape

Gauge

Before starting, knit a swatch, block it, and measure gauge.
Required gauge: 13 stitches per 10 cm across the width in the main pattern with turning rounds.
I use size 8 needles; you may need a different size.

Cast on 25 stitches, knit the pattern at least 15 cm, block, and measure.

Pattern repeat:

2 stitches wide and 2 rows high

1 row (RS):

Slip the edge stitch, slip one knit stitch with the yarn in front, 1 purl, repeat, end with the edge stitch purled.

2 row (WS):

Knit according to the pattern. Slip the first edge stitch, the last one purl.

After reaching gauge, proceed to knitting.

Open cast-on edge

With crochet hook size 8, chain 110 stitches.
Using needles size 6 (or two sizes smaller than the working needles) pick up 93/99 stitches (for bust circumference 53–55 / 56–59 cm).

Knit in stockinette stitch for 9/11 rows.
For fluffy yarn you can knit 2–3 more rows.

Release the open cast-on edge: unravel the chain and pick up the stitches.
Join the two ends of the hem: with size 8 needles, knit 2 stitches together (one from the near needle, one from the far needle). The last one remains without a pair.

Set-up row

Turn to the wrong side.

• 53–55 cm: after the edge start with a knit stitch

• 56–59 cm: after the edge start with a purl

This is important for the correct pattern.

Pattern

Size 53–55 cm

1 row (RS):
Edge stitch, 1 purl, slip one knit stitch with the yarn in front, 1 purl, at the end 1 knit, edge stitch purled.

2 row (WS):
In pattern.

Size 56–59 cm

1 row (RS):
Slip the edge stitch, slip one knit stitch with the yarn in front, 1 purl, at the end 1 knit, edge stitch purled.

2 row:
In pattern.

Knit the pattern for 18/19 cm together with the hem. You can make it deeper by adding 1–2 cm.

Decreases

Divide the stitches:

53–55 cm:

45 stitches, marker, 1 purl, 1 slipped knit, 1 purl, marker, 45 stitches

56–59 cm:

48 stitches, marker, 1 purl, 1 slipped knit, 1 purl, marker, 48 stitches

Decreases are made in every right-side row, and purl rows follow the pattern.

Left decrease: 2 together knitwise with a left-leaning slant
Right decrease: 2 together knitwise with a right-leaning slant

Total:

• 6 blocks for size 53–55

• 7 blocks for size 56–59

After decreases, you will have:
81 / 85 stitches

Short rows

Described for 5–11 (or 7–13) rows.
Wrapped stitches are introduced as standard:
— on the turn, wrap the stitch and knit back
— in the next full row, knit a double stitch into one.

(All text of your shortened rows is preserved unchanged, just without links.)

Sewing the Hood

Sew with a size 5 crochet hook on the right or wrong side.

Picking up stitches for the neckline

Cast on stitches along the edge.
The number must be a multiple of 2.

The central 3 stitches (WS–RS–WS) are marked with markers.

In rows 7/9 increases begin:
— before marker 1
— after marker 2
In every row.
Increase into the pattern.

In total 14/16 rows of increases (you can have more if you want a longer corner).

Knit one row without increases and proceed to the edging.

Blocking

Block the hood with icord.

Cord:
— from bulky yarn: 3 stitches
— from mink/angora: 4 stitches

Or crochet a foundation chain of chain stitches using crochet hook No. 8.

Blocking

For mink and angora:

• Soak in hot water with a liquid detergent until it cools.

• Rinse in warm water.

• Spin in the machine at 800 rpm.

• Comb with a brush.

• Blow-dry with warm air.

• Dry on a flat surface.

For wool:

• Wash in water up to 30°C.

• Do not rub; just gently squeeze.

• Rinse in water at the same temperature.

• Do not wring.

• Squeeze out in a towel.

• Dry on a horizontal surface.