Skull Cap for an Elderly Lady

Please note: This pattern has not been test knit

Updated Pattern

Gauge and Yarn

This pattern has not been test knit. However, a gauge of 32sts to 4” with a very fine fingering weight yarn (Australian 3 ply) on 2.5mm needles is an educated estimate of what the gauge should be.

Abbreviations

K = knit

P = purl

Sl = slip 1 with yarn at the back of the work

Sl wyif = slip 1 with yarn in front of the work

Yo = yarn over

K2tog = knit two together

Psso = pass the slipped stitch over

M1 = Make one. Pick up the thread lying horizontally between stitches and knit into the back of it

Pattern

From the original pattern - “This cap is intended to be worn under a bonnet, and is begun at the lower edge of the back on a foundation of 34sts and worked back and forth as follows:”

Cast on 34 sts

R1 (RS): sl, p to end of row

R2 (WS): sl wyif, k1, *(yo, k1, yo, k3) to last 2 sts, k2 (34sts)

R3: sl, p to end of row

R4: sl wyif, k1, (k3, yo, sl1 k2tog psso, yo) repeat to last 2sts, k2

R5: sl, p to end

R6: sl wyif, k1, (yo, sl1 k2tog psso, yo, k3) repeat to last 2sts k2

Rows 3 - 6 form the pattern

Work a further 102 rows in pattern

1st row: Cast on 51sts, knit to the end of the row, cast on 51

2nd row: *p3, k3; repeat from * to the last stitch, k1

3rd row: K53, (yo, k6) five times, yo, k53 (140sts)

4th row: Purl

5th row: K53, (yo, k6) six times, yo, k53 (147sts)

6th row: *P3, k3; repeat to the last 3sts, p3

Work 58 rows of k3, p3 rib - next row will be *K3, p3; repeat from * to last 3sts, k3

Keeping the K3, P3 rib as established increase 1 stitch at each end of every 4th row until you have 165sts.

Work 4 rows rib.

Do not cast off

Sew each of the 51sts you cast on down the sides of the back piece to form a bonnet shape.

Using a circular needle, pick up 145sts around the bottom of the bonnet (310 sts) K1 row across these stitches, knitting into the back of each stitch. Then work 3 rounds purl all the way around.

For the next round work K2tog, yo across the bottom edge of the bonnet, working k2tog 6 times at the corners without any yarn overs in between. Knit one row. Cast off loosely.

Edging

Work the following edging until it is long enough to sew all the way around the cap.

Note: All double yarn overs are made into two stitches on the following row by working K1, p1 into them.

Cast on 6sts

R1 (RS): sl, k1, yo 2 times, k2tog, yo 2 times, k2tog

R2 (WS): yo, k2, p1, k2, p1, k2

R3: sl, k3, yo 2 times, k2tog, yo 2 times, k2tog, k tbl

R4: k3, p1, k2, p1, k4

R5: sl, k5, yo 2 times, k2tog, yo 2 times, k2tog, k1

R6: k3, p1, k2, p1, k6

R7: k

R8: k

R9: sl, k1, yo 2 times, k2tog, slip the second stitch on the left hand needle over the first, repeat with the other 6 stitches. Knit 1.

R10: k3, p1, k2

Rows 1 – 10 form the pattern. Repeat these rows until the lace is the desired length. Cast off

Sew the lace all around the cap.

Thread a narrow ribbon through the yarn overs made across the bottom of the bonnet on the second last row. Tie at the front.