No Gauge Top-Down Stocking Cap

 © Jade Falcon

The No Gauge Top-Down Stocking Cap is a long stocking cap that isn’t 100% reliant on gauge. In addition, you can mix-and-match the different increase options to accommodate for a longer or shorter hat, or for less yarn. This pattern is merely a GUIDELINE to making this cap. It is not a step-by-step recipe. But, it does give you various options (and other suggestions) for your stocking cap. This guideline pattern is good for handspun yarn where you have a limited amount of yardage.  Or mix with commercial yarn or use leftover yarn scraps to make a unique hat.

Materials:

• Stitch marker to denote the beginning of a round.
• Needles: Needles appropriate to your particular yarn.
• Yarn: You can use any weight of yarn (Sport, DK, worseted, bulky, etc).

NOTE:  As this is a no-gauge, top-down stocking cap, your yardage might vary depending on yarn weight AND will depend on the length of the tail you want to knit.  Regular non-stocking caps usually require anywhere from 100-250 yards of yarn (depending on yarn weight).  Because this cap has a tail, you’re going to need a minimum of 200 yards, depending on yarn weight & length of the stocking cap. You can also mix & match the Increase Choices for the body to make it longer or shorter.

Sizing:

1)  Measure the circumference of the person’s head.  
        Head Size = __________________

2)  Decrease this size by 5-10% for a close fitting cap:

Finished HAT size  = Head Size  ______ -  (minus) 5-10%  =  ____________

For example: Head Size (22 inches) – 5% = ~ 20 inches (Finished Hat Size).

(Round up or down depending on how tight you want the hat.)

Cast-On:

You can choose to cast on 6 stitches or 8 stitches:

Cast on Choice 1:

Cast on Choice 2:

Set-Up Rows:

1)          Knit to join the round. Place marker to indicate the beginning of the round.

2)          *M1, K1* repeat until end of round.                      (12 or 16 st, depending on choice of Cast-on.)

3)          Knit all stitches in the round

Body:

In order to make the LONG tail portion of the stocking cap, you’re going to be increasing slowly. You have your choice of multiple types of increases, depending on how long you want your hat or how much yarn you have. Choose from one of either Increase Choice 1, 2, or 3.  The length of your finished hat depends on how much yarn you are using and the weight of your yarn.

NOTE: You can also increase the number of knitted rounds between increase rounds to make MUCH longer stocking caps. Or you can mix and match between the different Increase Choices if you find yourself running low on yardage. The following are just guidelines.

Increase Choice 1: Makes a long stocking cap

Repeat Rounds 1-3 until the knit circle is the Finished Hat Size.

Use whatever finishing techniques you want (see Finish the Cap)

Increase Choice 2: Makes a medium size stocking cap

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until the knit circle is the Finished Hat Size.

Use whatever finishing techniques you want (see Finish the Cap)

 Increase Choice 3: Makes a shorter stocking cap

Repeat Rounds 1-2 until the knit circle is the Finished Hat Size.
Use whatever finishing techniques you want (see Finish the Cap)

Variations:

• Change up colors at set intervals to make a striped hat using the Jogless Job method (Google this term, and you’ll find a slew of websites explaining it)
• Use a stitch marker(s) to denote a specific increase location(s) so that you make a “spiral” along those specific increase points
• Use your imagination.

Finish the Cap

You have several choices to finish your hat:

• Knit your choice of ribbing: K1/P1 or K2/P2 for 2-3 inches. (Knit more inches if you want a fold over brim)
• Knit a rolled edge: knit a few rounds of stockinette stitch so that the edge rolls.
• Knit garter rounds: K1 round, P1 round.

Bind Off

• BIND off using Elizabeth Zimmerman’s Sewn Bind Off (which is very stretchy)

Optional:

• Add a tassle using left over yarn to the tail end.
• Add a pom-pom using contrasting yarn to the tail end.