How to Knit a Kippot

A colorful kippot or kippah can be hand knitted to fit flat against the head.

Showing one's faith to their community and acknowledging that God is above us is the purpose of wearing kippots---plural for a kippah, yarmulke, or kappel. Knitting a kippah may be done in traditional black or multi-colored yarn by knitting in the round similar to knitting a "beany" or "skull cap." The objective is to knit the kippah in a fashion that lies flat against the head. A pattern that shows how to knit in decreasing sections is one that will best fit when the kippah is completed.

Things You'll Need

• 36-inch circular (cable) knitting needles, size 1 US, 2
• One skein or ball of sock yarn
• Crochet hook or tapestry needle

Instructions

1. Loosely cast on 120 stitches. Join the round of first stitches by pulling half of the stitches on to the needle that has no stitches and joining the first and last stitch with a slip stitch, being careful not to twist the stitches.

2. Knit the Lace Edging:

   R 1: K1, *YO, K3, (SL1, K2tog, PSSO) (this will now be referred to as dd for double decrease), K3, YO, K1* Repeat from the *.

   R2: Knit all stitches

   R3: K2, *YO, K2, dd, K2, YO, K3* Repeat from * ending last repeat in K1.

   R4: Knit

   R5: K3, *YO, K1, dd, K1, YO, K5* Repeat from* ending last repeat K2.

   R6: Knit

   R7: K4, *YO, dd, YO, K7* Repeat from * ending last repeat K3.

   R8: Knit

   Knit the next 2 rounds in garter stitch (Knit 1 round, purl 1 round).

   Knit the next 2 rounds in stockinette stitch.

3. Knit the Decrease Rounds:

   R1: *K8, K2tog* Repeat from *

   Knit the next 2 rounds even

   R2: *k7, k2tog* Repeat from *

   Knit the next 2 rounds even

   R3: *K6, K2tog* Repeat from *

   Knit the next 2 rounds even

   R4: *K5, K2tog* Repeat from *

   Knit the next 2 rounds even

   R5: *K4, K2tog* Repeat from *

   Knit 1 round even

   R6: *K3, K2tog* Repeat from *

   Knit 1 round even

   R7: *K2, K2tog* Repeat from *

   R8: *K1, K2tog* Repeat from *

   R9: *K2tog* Repeat from *

4. Continue knitting each of the following rounds in K2tog until 5 or 6 stitches remain on the circular needle. Cut the yarn approximately 6 inches from the knitted kippah and gather the remaining stitches by running the cut end through the 5 or 6 stitches on the needle; then pull the stitches off the needle and tighten or gather the last stitches by pulling the cut end of the yarn tight, closing the hole it the top. Weave in the yarn ends back into the kippah using crochet needle or tapestry needle.

1. 

Tips & Warnings

• Pulling the yarn to tight can alter the original gauge of the stitches and cause the kippah to not lay flat on the head of the person wearing it. Be aware of the tension that is held on the yarn to ensure an even material made.

• To make a kippah for a man or boy, omit the lace section and cast on the same number of stitches then knit 8 rows in a garter stitch instead.

• Using a yarn that is heavier than sock yarn will make the kippah not fit properly with this pattern.

• Altering the size of the needles may make the kippah loose fitting and can make the size change.

• Hand wash the kippah to avoid shrinkage and bleeding of the color.

References

• "The Free Dictionary": Kippah
• "The Free Dictionary": Beany
• "The Free Dictionary": Skull Cap
• "SockPixie: A Knitting and Spinning Blog"; December 9, 2007

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• "Craft Yarn Council: Yarn Standards": How to Read a Knitting Pattern