Saturday, November 10, 2007

'Skull' Cap


Free Pattern: 'Skull' Cap
My husband loves anything with skulls on it, and is always asking me to knit yet another hat (he has about 5 already!). He also wanted something orange. I had a little orange yarn left from another project, so I thought I'd make a black hat with an orange skull. How could I possiby go wrong with that?! By the way, he loves it, so I guess I either did a good job, or he doesn't want to hurt my feelings ( which would be a big mistake on his part!).

Supplies:
US #8 16" circular needles
5 US #8 double point needles
MC: 1 skein Red Heart worsted weight yarn in Black ( I did not use even close to a quarter of the skein)
CC: 1 skein Bernat worsted weight yarn in Hunter Orange (only a few yards were used)
3 stitch markers (make sure one is a different color or use pieces of yarn)
Yarn Needle
Pick your own colors, just make sure they are both worsted weight and care instructions are the same.

Finished Measurements:
20" around X 7" tall - will fit 20" to 24" head
To make bigger or smaller, use larger/smaller needles.

Gauge:
4 stitches and 6 rows = 1"

Directions:
With circular needle and MC cast on 72 stitches using cable cast on. Place odd marker and join to knit in the round, knit for 6 rounds.
Round 7: K26, place marker, K19, place marker, K27

The following are the rows for the skull pattern (see chart link on side) , they are knit/purled back and forth to keep from having to cut yarn or having long floats on the inside.
When wrapping stitches, be sure to keep wrap tight or you can knit/purl wrap and stitch together to keep from having holes.
When switching between colors, be sure to twist strand of yarn together, again, to keep from having holes.
To make sure there are no floats inside, bring yarn you are not using over the yarn you are knitting/purling with, this weaves in the floats.

Rounds 8 - 25 Even Rows: K to first marker, K according to chart to second marker, K to end of round, slip marker, to wrap stitch bring yarn to front, slip first stitch, bring yarn to back, turn work and purl.
Rounds 8 - 25 Odd Rows:P to first marker, P according to chart to second marker, P to end of round, slip marker, to wrap stitch bring yarn to back, slip first stitch, bring yarn to front, turn work and knit.

Round 26 - 32: Begin working in the round again, K all stitches
Round 33: *K7, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 34 and all following even numbered rows: K all stitches
Round 35: *K6, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 37: *K5, K2tog* repeat to end of round
I switched to double point needles at this point.

Round 39: *K4, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 41: *K3, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 43: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 45: *K2, K2tog* repeat to end of round
Round 47: *K2tog* repeat to end of round
Cut yarn leaving a 6" to 7" tail. Thread through stitches left on needles. Turn work inside out and bring needle and yarn to inside and pull tight. Weave in ends and enjoy!

Tips:
Knittingpatterncentral.com has great instructions for cast on methods and working with colors.

This pattern is free for personal use only. Please do not use for profit unless all proceeds go to charity.