Skull Cap

Skull Cap by Joan Laws

What is Being Made

The Skull Cap is a classic knitted hat designed by Joan Laws, available in three sizes to fit toddlers, children, and adults. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted cap featuring a decorative skull motif worked in contrasting colors. The finished hat measures 18 inches (45cm) for toddler size, 20 inches (50cm) for child size, and 22 inches (55cm) for adult size, making it a versatile project suitable for gift-giving or personal wear across multiple age groups.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental and intermediate techniques. The pattern begins with a cast-on worked flat on a smaller circular needle, then transitions to working in the round using a larger circular needle—a common method for creating seamless hats. The ribbed cuff is created using a K2, P2 ribbing pattern, which provides stretch and helps the hat maintain its shape. The main body is worked in stockinette stitch in the round, creating a smooth, classic fabric. The skull design is achieved through stranded colorwork (also called Fair Isle technique), where two colors are carried and worked simultaneously to create the decorative pattern. The pattern includes strategic increases worked evenly across a round to shape the crown appropriately for different sizes.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (K): The primary stitch forming the stockinette stitch base
• Purl stitch (P): Used in the K2, P2 ribbed cuff for texture and elasticity
• Stockinette stitch in the round (St st): Creates the smooth body of the hat
• Two-color stranded colorwork: The skull pattern is worked by alternating between main color (MC) and contrasting color (CC) stitches across rounds, with unused yarn carried along the inside of the work
• Increases: Evenly distributed increases shape the hat for proper fit across size variations

Materials and Gauge

This pattern requires worsted weight yarn in two colors: a main color (traditionally black) and a contrasting color (traditionally white) for the skull design. Total yardage needed is 135 yards (125 meters), with one skein each of the main and contrasting colors. The project uses US7 (4.5mm) and US8 (5mm) circular needles, both 16 inches (40cm) in length. Five stitch markers are required to track pattern repeats and the beginning of rounds. The pattern is worked to a gauge of 20 stitches over 4 inches (10cm) in stockinette stitch on the larger needle, which is essential for achieving the correct finished hat size.