How I did it: I cast on 114 stitches of superwash wool (Queensland Rustic Wool)  onto double pointed needles (7s).  I knitted (3 k, 3p) repeating as I went 'round and 'round, until I had a 20 cm tube of ribbing.  Then I began to narrow it down in the p sections (purling stitches together) until all the ribs joined up, then narrowed those until the cap was, well, capped. 

I had to do it twice, since the first time I did it, I used a pattern, which made WAY too small a cap.  I'll give that one to "Caps for Kids" for a toddler.

Anyway, all it took was patience and persistence.  It was fun!

Lessons & tips: -- Superwash wool is a better choice, if you want them to be able to wash the cap.

-- Check gauge ahead of time. 

-- Don't be discouraged if things aren't right -- rip 'em out and do it over!

Resources: Queensland Rustic Wool, superwash.  Brown
Double pointed needles (mine are Clover, size 7)
tapestry needle for finishing up

As for the "pattern" issue -- I swear by Elizabeth Zimmerman's "Knitting Without Tears."  She teaches how to knit for people's bodies without fighting with patterns.  I totally recommend her books!

Dec 11, 2008, 12:40AM PST | 4 comments | 15 cheers