by Adrienne Robson

Last summer, I saw a lot of lacy crochet hats in stores and in catalogs, and rather than paying for one, thought I could make one myself.

However, I don't crochet, so I decided to learn how to knit lace and get a hat out of it as well.

The lace in this pattern is fairly easy, but like all lacework requires careful attention to maintain the pattern.

This cap would be good for anyone experienced with knitting in the round who would like to learn how to knit lace.

model: Emily Farmer photo: Adrienne Robson

All measurements are made without stretching the fabric.

Circumference: 18 inches
Length: 7 inches

MATERIALS

Silk City Perle 5/2 cotton [100% cotton; 2312 yds/2115 m per 1.1 lb/500g cone] color: Jade; 120 yds/110 meters; 1 ounce/20 grams or yarn of similar gauge.

1 set US #2/2.75mm double-point needles

Cast on 102 sts: 36 sts each on first 2 needles, 30 on the third needle.

Rnd 1: Knit around.
Rnd 2: Purl around.
Rnd 3:Knit around.
Rnd 4: Begin pattern: *k1, YO, ssk. Repeat from * around.
Rnd 5: Knit around.
Rnd 6: *K2, YO, ssk, k2. Repeat from * around.
Rnd 7: Knit around.
Rnd 8: *K3, YO, ssk, k1. Repeat from * around.
Rnd 9: Knit around.
Repeat rnds 4-9 until piece measures 4.5 inches [do not stretch the fabric to measure!] ending with Rnd 9.

Decreases

Knit around on even rnds.
Rnd 1: Decrease: *K1, YO, ssk, k1, ssk.
Repeat from * around. 85 sts.
Rnd 3: *K2, YO, ssk, k1.
Repeat from * around.
Rnd 5: *K3, YO, ssk.
Repeat from * around.
Rnd 7: *K1, YO, ssk, k2.
Repeat from * around.
Rnd 9: Repeat rnd 3.
Rnd 11: Repeat rnd 5.
Rnd 13: Decrease: *K1, YO, ssk, ssk.
Repeat from * around. 68 sts.
Rnd 15: *K2, YO, ssk.
Repeat from * around.
Rnd 17: *K2, YO, ssk.
Repeat from * around.
Rnd 19: Decrease: *Ssk, YO, ssk.
Repeat from * around. 51 sts.
Rnd 21: *K1, YO, ssk.
Repeat from * around.
Rnd 23: Decrease: *Ssk, k1. Repeat from * around. 34 sts.
Rnd 25: Decrease: *Ssk. Repeat from * around. 17 sts.
Rnd 27: Decrease: *Ssk. Repeat from * around. 9 sts.

Break yarn, thread through remaining 9 sts. and pull closed.
Weave in ends.

Adrienne Robson has been knitting for 4 years, and lives in Logan, Utah.

She is a graphic designer for an educational software company most of the time, and a snowboard instructor some of the time.