Mohair Sleep Cap

Mohair Sleep Cap by Mary Gonzales

What is Being Made

The Mohair Sleep Cap is a newborn-sized knitted hat designed for sleeping comfort. This project creates a soft, fitted cap using mohair yarn that provides warmth while maintaining breathability for delicate newborn skin. The design features a classic rounded crown shape achieved through strategic decreasing, making it an ideal first hat project for babies.

Craft and Primary Technique

This is a knitting project worked primarily in the round using circular needles and double-pointed needles. Working in the round creates a seamless construction, eliminating the need for seaming and resulting in a smooth, comfortable fit against a baby's head. The technique transitions from circular needles to double-pointed needles as the stitch count decreases, a common method for managing stitches during crown shaping.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch – The primary stitch forming the main fabric of the cap
• Purl stitch – Used in the ribbed cuff section to create texture and elasticity
• Knit 2 together (K2tog) – A right-leaning decrease used throughout the decrease rounds to shape the crown and reduce stitch count progressively
• Ribbing pattern – A 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) worked for the first six rounds to create an elastic cuff that holds the cap securely on the head

Materials and Tools

Yarn: The pattern calls for 1 skein of Classic Elite Giselle in Porcelain Blue, or any light worsted weight yarn as a substitute. The mohair content provides softness and a gentle halo effect characteristic of mohair blends, making it ideal for sensitive newborn skin.

Needles: Size 8 (5mm) 16-inch circular needle for the initial cast-on and body of the cap, with Size 8 double-pointed needles for the final decrease rounds when the circumference becomes too small for the circular needle.

Additional Supplies: A yarn needle for weaving in ends, scissors, a tape measure for checking gauge and finished dimensions, and an optional stitch marker to clearly identify the beginning of each round.

Pattern Structure and Sizing

This pattern is sized for newborns and begins with casting on 52 stitches. The cap measures approximately 3 inches in length from cast-on edge to the start of decreases. The construction includes a ribbed cuff section for stretch and security, followed by stockinette stitch body sections, and concludes with multiple decrease rounds that shape the crown to a fitted finish.