A Cap for Eva by Catherine Henry
In mid-August 2008, Ilearned that a friend of mine had been diagnosed with a very aggressive form of cancer and would be starting chemotherapy soon. Like many. knitters, my first impulse was to knit her a cap. At the time, I was knitting a pair of Muscari socks (Suzi Anvin, Knitty, Summer 2008), I loved the lace pattern in these socks, and adapted it to make a beautiful, stretchy lace cap. Unfortunately, Eva's cancer was so aggressive that it took her life before she could even start her treatment, and only a month after we learned she was ill. Eva was a strong and vibrant woman who was taken from us too soon. I share this pattern in her memory and hope that others will make one for someone they love. The lace pattern has some texture, which allows it to show up beautifully even with a multicolor yarn. The stitch pattern was originally adapted from "Veined Leaf Panel", A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns by Barbara Walker, p 303.
SIZE
One size fits most; the pattern is very stretchy. This size was made for a petite woman but also fits my 6 foot tall husband.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
7 inches high, 13 inch circumference unstretched.
MATERIALS
·Claudia Hand Painted Yarns Fingering Weight $100\%$ merino wool, one skein (175 yards/50 gm). Shown in Purple Earth. Recommended needle size: US Size 1 1/2 $(2.5\;\mathsf{m m})$ ), either one or two circular needles or five double-pointed needles, OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE. Tapestry needle
GAUGE
32 sts and 48 rounds/4 in in lace pattern (unstretched).
PATTERN NOTES
All slipped sts are slipped purlwise unless otherwise indicated. k2tog: knit two stitches together p2tog: purl two stitches together ssk: slip two stitches knitwise, one at a time, to the right hand needle. Return them to the left hand needle and knit the two stitches together through the back loops. SK2P: Sl 1, k2tog, pass slipped st over. 2 sts decreased with completed st being a knit st. SP2P: Sl, p2tog, pass slipped st over. 2 sts decreased with completed st being a purl st.
Veined Leaf Lace Pattern
(Worked in the round over a multiple of 7 sts): Note: The number of sts in each repeat will change as the pattern is worked. Set-up Round: [P1, ssk, yo, k1, yo, k2tog, p1] to end. Round 1: [P1, k5, p1] to end. Round 2: [P1, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, p1] to end. 9 sts in each repeat. Round 3: [P1, k7, p1] to end. Round 4: [P1, ssk, ki, yo, k1, yo, k1, k2tog, p1] to end. Round 5: [P1, k7, p1] to end. Round 6: [P1, ssk, k3, k2tog, p1] to end. 7 sts in each repeat. Round 7: [P1, k5, p1] to end. Round 8: [P1, ssk, ki, k2tog, p1] to end. 5 sts in each repeat. Round 9: [P1, k3, p1] to end. Round 10: [P1, yo, SK2P, yo, p1] to end. Round 11: [P1, k3, p1] to end. Round 12: [P1, k1, yo, k1, yo, k1, p1] to end. 7 sts in each repeat. Repeat Rounds 1-12 for Lace Pattern.
DIRECTIONS
CO 105 sts. Divide sts as follows: If using magic loop or two circulars needles, place 49 sts on one needle and 56 sts on the other needle (or other side of magic loop). If using DPNs, place 21 sts on needle 1 and 28 sts on needles 2, 3, and 4. Join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist. Rounds 1-5: [P1, k2] twice, [p2, k2, p1, k2] to last st, p1. Rounds 6-10: P1, k5, [p2, k5] to last st, p1. Work Set-up Round of Muscari Lace Pattern, then work rounds 1-12 of pattern three times. Work one more repeat of Muscari Lace Pattern, ending with round 9 (75 sts). Crown Decreases Note: if using DPNs, you may need to slip one or two stitches to the previous or next needle in order to do the stitch decreases. P1, [SK2P, P2] to last st, P1 (45 st) P1, K1, $[\mathsf{P}\mathsf{2},\mathsf{K}\mathsf{1}\}$ to last st, P1. Slip first st to right hand needle. Round now begins with a knit stitch. K1, P2tog around (30 st). K1, P1 around. [K1, SP2P, K1, P1, SK2P, P1] around (18 st.) K1, P1 around. [SK2P, SP2P] around (6 st). Knit all six stitches.
FINISHING
Cut the yarn to a six inch length. With a tapestry needle, thread the yarn through the remaining six stitches. Weave in ends. $\circledcirc$ 2008 Catherine Henry. Veined leaf lace chart used with permission of Suzi Anvin. This pattern is free for personal, individual use and cannot be reformatted for commercial use or sale. Items made from this pattern may not be sold.
