Kids Will Be Kids, A Toddler's Stocking Cap

I should start by saying Bug-A-Boo does not like blankets, or hats.  That's not to say that she objects to their existence in general.  She even plays with them from time to time.  The problem really comes up when it is requested that she use either of these objects in a practical sense.  Then the heals dig in and the fight ensues.  She will not use a blanket to stay warm with while sleeping or resting, and she will not wear a hat to keep her head and ears warm.

This strange aversion only seems to be based around blankets and hats.  I have no idea why.  Last Halloween, she was dressed up as a dinosaur (or a dragon).  In my biased opinion she was adorable with her little tail and purple belly.  But she would not wear the cap that went with the costume, that would give the illusion that her face was within a lizard's head.  I think the entire family wore that cap over the day and night to try to show that it could be fun and comfortable, but she didn't fall for it.

I have remained undaunted by this challenge however.  (Stubbornness may run in the family.)  She has a brightly colored zip-up sweater that she loves and so I thought that I would make her a cap to go along with it.  (The sweater has a hood, but again, she won't wear it.)  For awhile I couldn't decide if I should make a stocking cap or a bonnet.  The bonnet has the advantage of being able to close under the chin, so it might stay on better.  But then again, this closure may be taken as an affront and make up more undesirable.  Then some one said to me, "Make a stocking cap.  That way she will be able to wear it longer."  Check and check.  So this pattern came about.

She still shows no interest in wearing it, or any other cap, but I hope someday she discovers the joy of being warm in the winter.

If you would like a pdf of this pattern and have a Ravelry account, a copy can be found here.

Feel free to change the yarn, gauge, or size to fit your needs.  Just please do not try to sell this pattern as your own.

If you have any problems that you think that I might be able to help you with, email me at GridMammalCrafts@gmail.com .

Childish Cables Stocking Cap

Materials:

·         Size 3, 3.25 mm Double Point Needles

·         1 Skein Knit Picks, Felici, Rainbow

·         Small Cable Needle

·         Stitch Marker

·         Small Pompom Maker – Optional

·         Darning Needle

Gauge:

·         28 Stitches x 36 Rows = 4” x 4” in Stockingette Stich

Finished Size:

·         7” from crown to brim.

·         Fits comfortably around a 19” circumference head. 

·         Can fit snuggly around a 20” circumference head

Notes:

·         Cap is knit in the round from the crown to the brim.

·         Repeat each row of the charts six times for each round of the cap.

·         Stitches outlined in red denote stitch sequences that are repeated in certain situations.  Check the written instructions for the correct count.

Key:

Instructions:

Crown Chart:

Cast on 6 stitches

Place stitch marker to denote the beginning of the round.

Round 1: kfb - 12 stitches

Round 2: k2

Round 3: k1, lli, rli, k1 - 24 stitches

Round 4: k4

Round 5: k1, lli, k2, rli, k1 - 36 stitches

Round 6: k6

Round 7: k1, lli, 22lc, rli, k1 - 48 stitches

Round 8: k1, p1, k4, p1, k1

Round 9: k1, lli, p1, k4, p1, rli, k1 - 60 stitches

Round 10: k1, p2, k4, p2, k1

Round 11: k1, lli, p2, 22lc, p2, rli, k1 - 72 stitches

Round 12: k1, p3, k4, p3, k1

Round 13: k1, lli, p2, 21rpc, 21lpc, p2, rli, k1 - 84 stitches

Round 14: k1, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, k1

Round 15: k1, lli, p3, k2, p2, k2, p3, rli, k1 - 96 stitches

Round 16: k1, p4, k2, p2, k2, p4, k1

Round 17: k1, lli, p4, 21lpc, 21rpc, p4, rli, k1 - 108 stitches

Round 18: k1, p6, k4, p6, k1

Round 19: k1, lli, p6, 22lc, p6, rli, k1 - 120 stitches

Round 20: k2, p6, k4, p6, k2

Round 21: k1, lli, k1, p6, k4, p6, k1, rli, k1 - 132 stitches

Round 22: k3, p6, k4, p6, k3

Remove marker at the beginning of the round, k3 and place marker in this new position.  This is the new beginning of each round.

Cable Repeat Chart:

Round 23: p6, 22lc, p6, 21lpc, 21rpc

Round 24: p6, k4, p7, k4, p1

Round 25: p5, 21rpc, 21lpc, p6, 22lc, p1

Round 26: p5, k2, p2, k2, p6, k4, p1

Round 27: p5, k2, p2, k2, p6, k4, p1

Round 28: p5, k2, p2, k2, p6, k4, p1

Round 29: p5, 21lpc, 21rpc, p6, 22lc, p1

Round 30: p6, k4, p7, k4, p1

Round 31: p6, 22lc, p6, 21rpc, 21lpc

Round 32: p6, k4, p6, k2, p2, k2

Round 33: p6, k4, p6, k2, p2, k2

Round 34: p6, k4, p6, k2, p2, k2

Repeat rounds 23 through 34 once more.

End Cables Chart:

Round 45: p6, 22lc, p6, 21lpc, 21rpc

Round 46: p6, k4, p7, k4, p1

Round 47: p5, 21rpc, 21lpc, p6, 22lc, p1

Round 48: p5, k2, p2, k2, p6, k4, p1

Ribbing Chart:

Round 51: p1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k4, p1

Round 52: p1, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k2, p2, k4, p1

Repeat rounds 51 and 52 eleven more times.

Break yarn and weave in ends.

Optional:

Create a small pompom with the left over yarn.  Affix pompom to the top of the hat.