Oh Baby, Baby Cap

This soft and stretchy cap is sized for a larger baby (at least 7 lbs); suggested size adjustments for premies are provided in the instructions.  The generous ribbed cuff means it will fit well for a long time (years!).

Yarn
Sock weight yarn; soft acrylic or washable yarn blend of merino, acrylic and baby alpaca. For the cap modeled here by little Kaitlyn,  Supersocke 100 Emotion II  purple/orange yarn was used.                                                                         

 Needles

Size U.S. 3 (3.25 mm) circular needles

Instructions

Cast on 102 sts onto circular needles  (84 sts for premies) and join working yarn to end yarn to form a circle.  Tie on a yarn marker of a different color to mark start of round.

K1, P1 for 3 inches (2 in. for premies)

Work in following pattern until cap measures 7.5 - 8 inches in length (6 in. for premies):

·         Round 1:  P2, K1; repeat pattern around.

·         Round 2:  K all sts around

When cap has reached desired length, begin decreasing sts with the following pattern:

·         Round 1:  P4,  K2tog; repeat pattern all around
·         Round 2:  K all sts around

·         Round 3:  P3,  K2tog; repeat pattern all around 
(skip  rounds 3 & 4 for premies)

·         Round 4:  K all sts around

·         Round 5:  P2, K2tog; repeat pattern all around
(You may want to transfer to DPNs at this time)
            Round 6:  K all sts around

·         Round 7: P 1 K2tog; repeat pattern all around   
           Round 8:  K2tog all sts around

Cut off yarn leaving 12 inches.  Thread through remaining sts and draw up snugly and tie off.  Pass yarn end through top and weave through inside of cap. 

Abbreviations

DPN - double-pointed needles

K – knit

K2tog – knit two sts together to decrease by one

P – purl

Sts – stitches