Alternating Cables Cap Knitting Pattern for Chemotherapy Patients and All - Free Download on Ravelry and Kim's Knitting Korner Blog

Alternating Cables Cap

by Kim Fluck www.kimsknittingkorner.blogspot.com 1 ball Berroco Comfort DK yarn (50 grams/178 yards/165 meters) 1 size US 6 (4 mm) circular needle (16 inches in length) Set of US 6 (4 mm) double pointed needles Stitch marker(s)/Cable needle/Darning needle Instructions: On circular needles, cast on 128 stitches. Join to knit in the round being careful not to twist the stitches. Place stitch marker to designate beginning of round. Knit in k2,p2 ribbing for 14 rounds; begin cable pattern (also see chart).

Cable pattern:

Rounds 1 (CF6, p2,k2,p2,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Rounds 2-5: (K6,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Round 6: (k6,p2,CF6,p2) repeat to end of round Rounds 7-10: (K6,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Round 11: (CF6,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Rounds 12-21: (k2,p2) repeat to end of round Round 22: (k2,p2,k2,p2,CF6,P2) repeat to end of round Rounds 23-26: (k2,p2,k2,p2,k6,p2) repeat to end of round Round 27: (CF6,p2,k6,p2) repeat to end of round Round 28-31: (k6,p2,k6,p2) repeat to end of round Round 32: (k6,p2,CF6,p2) repeat to end of round Rounds33-36: (k6,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Round 37: (CF6,p2,k2,p2,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Rounds 38-42: (k2,p2) repeat to end of round

Decrease Rounds (change to double pointed needles when difficult to knit on circular needles): Round 1: (k2,k2tog,k2,p2) repeat to end of round Rounds 2 and 3: (k5,p2) repeat to end of round Round 4: (ssk,k1,k2tog,p2) repeat to end of round Round 5 and 6: (k3,p2) repeat to end of round Round 7: (slip 2 stitches together knitwise, k1, pass the two slipped stitches over the k1, and then p2) repeat to end of round Round 8 and 9: (k1,p2) repeat to end of round Round 10: (ssk,p1) repeat to end of round Rounds 10 and 12: ssk around until 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving a tail. Thread on needle and thread througl remaining live stitches. Pull snuggly to close the top; weave in loose ends.

Abbreviations:

K-Knit P- Purl K2tog -knit 2 stitches together SSK - Slip the next 2 stitches, one at a time as if to knit, to the right needle; insert the left needle into the fronts of these 2 stitches and knit them together CF6 - Slip 3 stitches onto a cable needle and hold to the front; knit the next three stitches; then knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle A note about gauge: These caps were knit in Berroco Comfort DK (Sport Weight yarn) The yarn label lists the gauge for this yarn as follows: On size US 6 needles: 22 stitches x 32 rows = 4 inches On size US 5 needles: 24 stitches x 34 rows = 4 inches

If you wish to make this hat dramatically larger or smaller, you can do so by casting on more or few stitches in increments of 16 stitches. Of course, larger needles or heavier-weight yarn would yield a larger hat and smaller needles or lighter-weight yarn would yield a smaller or snugger hat.

Pattern Notes:

The cables in this pattern act like ribbing (much of the cap Is knit2, purl 2 ribbing). This makes the cap very stretchy and able to fit multiple sizes. The hat is modeled on my head which measures approximately 22 inches, and the fit is comfortable and a little loose (not snug). The completed hat measures approximatley 8 % inches long.

As written, the cable pattern is repeated 8 times around. You may wish you place stitch markers every 16 stitches to note the beginning of each 16 stitch pattern repeat . (16 stitch repeat x 8 pattern repeats = 128 stitches around) This pattern is offered for free on Ravelry; a PDF download is also available on my blog: www.kimsknittingkorner.blotspot.com

I designed this pattern as a cap for chemotherapy patients; however, feel free to use this pattern however you like. If you are on Ravelry, I would love for you to share a photo of your completed cap. Also, if you feel the pattern is confusing in any way or you have comments/feedback, please send me a message on Ravelry (Ravelry ID "kimfluck").