The Perfect Fit
This seafarer is modeling one of the hand-made knit cap designs that we have featured below. The perfect token of appreciation for their hard work while out at sea.

Constructing the Perfect Watch Cap

These ingenious knit caps are called Watch Caps, because they are worn by seafarers that go out on the deck of the ship to be "on watch." Having the right gear is essential.  If you are a gifted knitter, then you can help a seafarer gear up for those cold nights out at sea.   Please be creative, and add distinctive colors to your design.  It helps seafarer's identify them, and gives you a creative outlet!

Choose from one (or more) of these designs.  Happy knitting!

Watch Cap Version #1

Using #5 Needles, cast on 108 stitches. Knit 2, Purl 2, for four inches (ribbing). Then knit 1 row, purl 1 row (stockinette stitch) for an additional 4 inches. Decrease for top of hat as follows:

Row 1: K16, K2 together twice, K32, K2 together twice, K32, K2 together twice, K16

Row 2: P15, P2 together twice, P30, P2 together twice, P30, P2 together twice, P15

Row 3: K14, K2 together twice, K28, K2 together twice, K28, K2 together twice, K14

Row 4: P13, P2 together twice, P26, P2 together twice, P26, P2 together twice, P14

Row 5: K12, K2 together twice, K24, K2 together twice, K24, K2 together twice, K12

Row 6: P11, P2 together twice, P22, P2 together twice, P22, P2 together twice, P11

Row 7: K10, K2 together twice, K2-, K2 together twice, K20, K2 together twice, K10

Row 8: P9, P2 together twice, P18, P2 together twice, P18, P2 together twice, P9

Row 9: K8, K2 together twice, K16, K2 together twice, K16, K2 together twice, K8

Row 10: P7, P2 together twice, P14, P2 together twice, P14, P2 together twice, P7

Row 11: K6, K2 together twice, K12, K2 together twice, K12, K2 together twice, K6

Row 12: P5, P2 together twice, P10, P2 together twice, P10, P2 together twice, P5

Row 13: K4, K2 together twice, K8, K2 together twice, K8, K2 together twice, K4

Row 14: P3, P2 together twice, P6, P2 together twice, P6, P2 together twice, P3

Row 15: K16, K2 together twice, K32, K2 together twice, K32, K2 together twice, K16

Leave 20” of yarn. Draw up remaining stitches on needle and sew back seam of hat.

Watch Cap Version #2

Using size 8 needles, cast on 77 stitches. Knit 3, Purl 1 - every row for 10 inches (each row ends knit 1). Decrease for top of hat as follows:

Knit 2 together across row
Purl 1 row

Knit together across row
Purl 1 row

Knit 2 together across row 

Gather remaining stitches on needles draw up and sew hat seam.

Watch Cap Version 3: Helmet (Balaclava)
Materials: 5-6 oz. of 4ply yarn, any dark color
Four double pointed No. 3 needles (3mm.)
Gauge: 5.5 sts. make 1 inch; 10 rows make 1 inch

Cast on 28 stitches on one needle; with two needles work the garter stitch back and forth, increasing 1 stitch each end of the needle every other row, until there are 48 stitches. Work even in garter stitch until piece measures 7 inches from beginning; leave on needle.

With other two needles make another piece just the same as above.

With one needle knit 32 stitches; with second needle knit 16 stitches from the first piece and 16 stitches from the second piece. Knit onto third needles the remaining 32 stitches. Join these 96 stitches and work round and round in ribbing of K2, P2 for 3 inches.

Next row - K12 and then slip next 24 stitches off onto holder. Work garter stitch back and forth (as if on two needles) on the remaining 72 stitches for 6.5 inches.

Next row - K50 stitches, sl 1, K1, pass slipped stitch over='psso', K1, turn; *sl1, K28, sl1, K1, psso, K1, turn*.
Continue back and forth between *s, (which decreases 1 stitch each row and takes on 1 stitch from the side each row) until you have worked out to the ends of the needle; 30 stitches remain This will now be called the 3rd needle.

Pick up and K27 stitches on one side of face opening with one needle and K2, P2 for 12 stitches from stitch holder at neck.

With needle two, K2, P2 for 12 stitches remaining on stitch holder and pick up K27 stitches along other side of face opening, and K1 stitch from 3rd needles onto needle two.

Work round and round in ribbing of K2, P2 for 1.5 inches and bind off loosely.

Note: Plain knitting means knit every row = garter stitch.