How to Knit a Skull Cap

A skull cap is a close-fitting winter hat. It should cover your ears and your whole head but not sit so low on the face that you need to fold the brim back. This skull cap pattern fits the average head and is knit flat, then seamed at the back. The stockinette stitch used causes the brim to curl up; if you don't want it to, start with a few inches of ribbing instead.

Things You'll Need

• 150 yards worsted yarn
• Size 8 (5 mm) knitting needles
• Tape measure
• Scissors
• Yarn needle

Instructions

1. Cast on 99 stitches in the worsted yarn using your favorite cast-on technique.

2. Knit in stockinette stitch (knit one row, purl one row) throughout, for 5 inches. Unroll the edge to measure the length if it has started to curl.

3. Start shaping by knitting seven stitches, knitting two together and repeating this across the row. You should be left with 88 stitches. Purl all 88 stitches across the back and on all wrong-side rows.

4. Knit six stitches, knit two together and repeat this pattern across the row. This will leave you with 77 stitches. Purl across the back.

5. Knit five stitches, knit two together and repeat this pattern across the row. This will leave you with 66 stitches. Purl across the back and continue working in this manner, leaving four, then three, then two stitches between each knit two together decrease and purling across the back. You should have 22 stitches remaining.

6. Knit two together across the row, leaving you with 11 stitches at this point in the project. Purl across the back.

7. Leave a tail about an arm's length and cut the yarn. Thread the tail onto your yarn needle and sew through the middle of the 11 remaining stitches. Pull tightly to close the crown of the hat.

8. Turn the hat so the wrong side of the work is facing you, then sew up the seam using a mattress stitch. Weave in and cut the loose end.

Tips & Warnings

• If you have a larger than average head, knit six or more inches before starting the decreases. If you have a smaller than average head, knit four inches instead. Switch yarn colors at the start or end of a new row every few inches for a striped hat.

References

• Hip to Knit; Judith L. Swartz; 2002