Cabochon Cap

Cabochon Cap by Helen Cosgrove-Davies

What Is Being Made

The Cabochon Cap is a lacy knitted hat designed to provide warmth while incorporating elegant lace and texture work. This project combines functional headwear with decorative stitch patterns, creating a garment that balances coziness with refined aesthetic detail.

Craft and Primary Technique

This design is created using the knitting craft. The hat is worked in the round using circular needles, which allows for seamless construction and continuous pattern work. Working in the round eliminates the need for seaming and creates a smooth, professional finish suitable for a fitted hat.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns Used

The Cabochon Cap employs a combination of fundamental and decorative knitting stitches to achieve its elegant appearance:

• Ribbing — The foundation of the hat begins with a ribbed pattern using the repeat *P1, k3, p1, k3, p2*, worked for 12 rounds. Ribbing creates vertical columns of texture and provides elasticity, ensuring the hat fits snugly around the head.
• Knit (K) and Purl (P) stitches — These basic stitches form the structure of the ribbing and body of the hat.
• Yarn overs (YO) — Used throughout the lace sections to create decorative holes and openings that define the lacy aesthetic.
• Decreases (ssk and k2tog) — Slip, slip, knit (ssk) and knit two together (k2tog) decreases are paired with yarn overs to create the lace pattern motifs. These decreases are worked in specific sequences across rounds to form the cabochon-inspired design.
• Lace pattern rounds — Rounds 16 through 19 and beyond feature complex lace sequences such as *YO, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, p1* and progressively tighter lace arrangements like *K3, yo, ssk, k*, creating a sophisticated openwork effect.

Yarn and Materials

The Cabochon Cap is worked in sport weight yarn, a lightweight yet substantial yarn that provides good stitch definition for lace work while maintaining adequate warmth. The pattern calls for circular needles appropriate to sport weight yarn, which enable seamless in-the-round construction. The initial cast-on is 90 stitches, increased to 108 stitches after the ribbing section via an increase round that incorporates yarn overs for a decorative transition.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty. Knitters should be comfortable with basic stitches, working in the round with circular needles, and understanding lace chart sequences. The combination of ribbing, yarn overs, and paired decreases requires attention to pattern detail and familiarity with how these elements interact to create openwork effects.

Design Notes

Created by designer Helen Cosgrove-Davies, the Cabochon Cap demonstrates thoughtful design philosophy that prioritizes both function and beauty. The lace elements add visual interest and elegance while the ribbed base and sport weight yarn ensure the hat remains warm and practical for everyday wear.