(cap pattern only; download Wool Flower Tutorial to make the Winter
Garden Stocking Cap)
This is a good, basic cap pattern that can be adapted to any size head. Use it as
a base for embellishments such as the flowers on the Winter Garden Stocking
Cap, pompons, embroidery, appliques, etc.
Supplies:
-1 skein worsted weight yarn (I used Stitch Nation
Alpaca Love which is warm, but soft)
I’m writing this pattern twice. Once in the traditional knitting shorthand, and once in a detailed manner.
I hope this helps explain anything you might not understand. Of course, you can always email me with
questions and I’ll do my best to help.
Summary Pattern
With circular needle, cast on stitches (see Step 2 to determine the number of stitches)
Work in garter stitch (*knit 1 round, purl one round*) until piece measures 1 inch
Work in stockinette stitch (K every round) until cap is as long as you want it to be
Shaping crown: Switch to dpn when there are too few st to work on circular needle
Row 1: *k8, k2 together* to end of round
Row 2: k even
Row 3: *k7, k2 together* to end of round
Row 4: k even
Row 5: *k6, k2 together* to end of round
Row 6: k even
Row 7: *k5, k2 together* to end of round
Row 8: k even
Row 9: *k4, k2 together* to end of round
Row 10: k even
Row 11: *k3, k2 together* to end of round
Row 12: k even
Row 13: *k2, k2 together* to end of round
Row 14: *k2 together* to end of round
Repeat row 14 until there are 6 stitches left (adjusting decreases as needed on the last round)
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©Sarah Meland
Basic Stocking Cap Knitting Pattern
(cap pattern only; download Wool Flower Tutorial to make the Winter
Garden Stocking Cap)
Work I-cord on second and third needles: *k2, pickup st from base of first I-cord, slide stitches to end of
needle*. Repeat until I-cord is as long as you want it to be.
Detail Pattern
I recommend you cast on your stitches, knit a row, then test stretch your work. If it’s too tight, recast on
now. After you have a few more rows knit, test it again. If you got your cast on row too tight, you want
to discover it early so you have less to rip out.
Using your circular needle, cast on the number of stitches you came up with in Step 2
Work 1 inch in garter stitch. We are working in the round so that means you knit one row, then purl one
row.
Work body of hat in stockinette stitch (in the round, that means knit every row). I worked 5 inches of
stockinette (6 inches from cast on). My model is 3 years old, depending on the size of head you’re
working with, you may need more (for adults) or less (for babies).
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©Sarah Meland
Basic Stocking Cap Knitting Pattern
(cap pattern only; download Wool Flower Tutorial to make the Winter
Garden Stocking Cap)
Step 6 – I-cord
I-cord is knit using two double-pointed needles. You knit across, slide the stitches to the other end of
the needle, then knit across again. You do not turn your work, but instead, you slide the stitches to the
other end of the needle. This will make a “tube.” I made my cords 3 different lengths with the longest
being about 3.5 inches long.
Starting with the first needle with 2 stitches on it, knit 2 stitches, cast on 1 stitch. For the next row, slide
your stitches to the other end of the needle and knit all three stitches. Continue in this manner until the
I-cord is as long as you want it to be. Cast off by slipping one stitch onto the right needle, knit 2
together, then pass the slipped stitch over the other. You can pull your tail through the loop to knot it
off.
Move to the next needle with 2 stitches on it for the next I-cord. Attach yarn, knit 2 stitches, then pick
up one stitch from the base of the I-cord you just finished. Now knit 3, slide your stitches to the other
end of the needle and knit the next row. Continue in this fashion until your I-cord is as long as you want
it to be, cast off as you did for the first cord. Repeat this process for final I-cord.
If you don’t want the I-cord, work until there are six stitches left, then thread the tail through the
remaining stitches, pull tight, knot, and weave in end.
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©Sarah Meland