Watch Cap Patterns


The Evolution of a Knitted Hat

The original pattern for a watch cap came from the International Seamen's House in Georgia.  It was knitted flat and sewed up afterwards.  I don't know if they still collect watch caps and give them to sailors, or even if the organization still exists. 

 I knitted several watch caps flat, then moved to circular needles, and over time, the pattern evolved - fold-up brim (border), rolled brim, no brim; machine washable wool, real wool; sizes from small to extra large; and of course, various colors and stripes.  The basic patterns are below.   In all I probably made 50 hats.  My favorite hats were made of real wool in natural beiges and browns.

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Original Watch Cap Pattern

-from:

 Material:         4-ply yarn - worsted weight (machine washable) - 3 oz. = 1 cap
Colors:           Any solid color(s) except white or pastel
Needles:        Pair No. 6 and a wool needle (for joining seam and crown)
Gauge:           5 sts to inch, 7 rows to inch (garter stitch)

Border of Cap:

Cast on 84 sts with very loose tension. 

K2, P2, for 4 inches.

Body of Cap:

K even for 40 rows (This makes 20 ridges).

To Form Crown:

 (*)  K 10, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   9, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   8, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   7, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   6, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   5, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   4, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   3, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   2, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across - knit back even.

 (*)  K   1, K 2 tog, repeat from (*) across.

 You now have 14 stitches remaining on needle.  Knit back even to middle of row.

To Join Crown:

With half the sts on each needle, break wool (leaving 15 inch length) and thread into wool needle.  Fold cap so that both needles are even and parallel (one in back of the other), with free yarn extending from right-hand end of back needle (or the one farthest from you).  While working always keep yarn under knitting needles.  Weave sts from front and back needles together with Kitchener stitch, or as follows:  (This easy method makes garter stitch pattern).

(*) Pass wool needle through first st on front knitting needle (enter from left to right) as if knitting.  Slip st off needle.  Pass through second st on same needle (enter from right to left) as if purling.  Pull yarn through but leave st on needle.

Pass through first st on back needle as if purling.  Slip st off.  Pass through second st on back needle as if knitting.  Pull yarn through but leave st on.  Repeat from (*) until all sts are off needles.  Pull yarn through and fasten secorely, leaving extra length to sew up seam.

To Sew Up Seam:

Place edges of cap adjacent to each other, pattern matching.  Secure edges with safety pins.  Picking up outside loop of stitch from each side, sew back and forth, drawing two edges securely together from top of crown to bottom of cuff.  Do not sew though double thickness. 

 Please do not block cap.

 
 
Watch Cap on Circular Needles

This is a simple toque with a 2" rolled brim.

 Cast on 84 stitches.

 Mark beginning of row with marker.

 Using circular needle, purl 2, knit 2, repeat to end of row.

 Continue in this fashion for 4".

 Begin to knit in stockinette stitch, and continue for 20 rows.

 Begin decreases:

 Knit 10, knit 2 together, place marker; repeat to end of row.  Knit one row.

 Knit 9, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.  Knit one row.

 Knit 8...

 Knit 7 ...

 Knit 6 .  . .

 Knit 5 ...

 Knit 4...

 Knit 3...

 Knit 2...

 Knit 1, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.  You should have 14 stitches.  Cut wool leaving enough to finish off.  Thread wool through last 14 stitches, pull tight, and knot tightly on inside. 

 

Watch Cap, No Roll-up Brim - large size

Large brown hat, no roll up brim

Cast on 84 stitches.

Using circular needle, purl 1 row, knit 1 row, until there are 5 ribs.

 Knit 1 or 2 rows. 

Knit pattern for next 1-1 1/2", e.g. 1 wide stripe or 2 narrow stripes, etc.

Continue knitting until hat measures 6" from bottom to top (26 rows above the knit/purls). 

Mark beginning of row with marker.

Knit 10, knit 2 together, place marker; repeat to end of row. 

Knit 9, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row. 

Knit 8...

Knit 7 ...

Knit 6 .  . .

Knit 5 ...

Knit 4...

Knit 3...

Knit 2...
Knit 1...

Knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.

Cut wool leaving enough to finish off.  Thread wool through last 7 stitches, pull tight, and knot tightly. 

 

Watch Cap, No Roll-up Brim - medium size

Grey hat, medium with red and white stripe

Red white pattern

Cast on 80 stitches.

Using circular needle, purl 1 row, knit 1 row, until there are 4 ribs.

Knit 1 or 2 rows. 

Knit pattern for next 1-1 1/2", e.g. 1 wide stripe or 2 narrow stripes, etc.

Continue knitting until hat measures 6" from bottom to top (26 rows above the knit/purls). 

Mark beginning of row with marker.

Knit 10, knit 2 together, place marker; repeat to end of row.  Knit 1 row. 

Knit 9, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.  Knit 1 row.

Knit 8...

Knit 7 ...

Knit 6 .  . .

Knit 5, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.  Knit 1 row.

Knit 4, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.  Do not knit 1 row starting here.

Knit 3...

Knit 2...

Knit 1...

Knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.

Cut wool leaving enough to finish off.  Thread wool through last 7 stitches, pull tight, and knot tightly. 

Watch Cap, No Roll-up Brim - small size

 Small hat light brown

Cast on 75 stitches.

Using circular needle, purl 1 row, knit 1 row, until there are 4 ribs.

Knit 1 or 2 rows. 

Knit pattern for next 1-1 1/2", e.g. 1 wide stripe or 2 narrow stripes, etc.

Continue knitting until hat measures 6" from bottom to top (26 rows above the knit/purls). 

Mark beginning of row with marker.

Knit 13, knit 2 together, place marker; repeat to end of row.   

Knit 12, knit 2 together, repeat to end of row. 

Knit 11...

Knit 10 ...

Knit 9 .  . .

Knit 8 ...

Knit 7 ...

Knit 6 ...

Knit 5 ...

Knit 4 ...

Knit 3...

Knit 2...

Knit 1...

Knit 2 together, repeat to end of row.

Cut wool leaving enough to finish off.  Thread wool through last 5 stitches, pull tight, and knot tightly.