Menu Close

Monmouth Cap

Hand kit beanie with a folded up hem.

A modern version of the Monmouth cap, poularised by the US reality TV show “The Colonial House”. The original Monmouth caps had buttons on the top, which I have replaced with 2 rounds of i-cord. If you wish to have a more authentic cap, leave off the 2 rounds of i-cord and stitch a shank button or knitted button in its place.

Size

To fit 20″ – 23″ head circumference

Materials

My hat is made from 2 ply bulky handspun mohair/wool mix, a total of approximately 110m/121 yards

Click here to search on google.com for suitable commercial yarn substitutes.

6mm (US size 10) needles – 16-20″ circular and dpns
1 spare circular needle in any size smaller than 6mm (US size 10)

Gauge

14sts to 4 inches/10cm over stocking stitch on 6mm (US size 10) needles.

Abbreviations

K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit 2 together
Sl2tog = slip 2 together knitways
PSSO = pass the slipped stitches over the stitch just knit

Pattern

This hat is knit in the round.

Using a provisional cast on, cast on 80 stitches. Join.

Knit for 2 inches.

Purl 1 row

Knit for 2 inches.

Join the hem as follows:
Undo the provisional cast on and slip the live stitches onto a needle.

Darn in the tail left by casting on. This will allow you to wear your hat with the cuff turned up if you wish.
Fold up the hem so the wrong sides of the knitting face each other.

K2tog around, knitting one stitch from the cast on together with one stitch on the 6mm needle. (80sts)

Knit until your work measures 5 inches from the bottom of the hem (the purl round).

Shape crown:
Next round: *K7, sl2tog, k1, psso; repeat from * to the end of the round (64sts). Remove your end of round marker and slip 1 st from the left hand needle onto the right hand. Replace marker.

Knit 3 rounds

Next round: *K5, sl2tog, k1, psso; repeat from * to the end of the round (48sts). Remove your end of round marker and slip 1 st from the left hand needle onto the right hand. Replace marker.

Knit 3 rounds

Next round: *K3, sl2tog, k1, psso; repeat from * to the end of the round (32sts). Remove your end of round marker and slip 1 st from the left hand needle onto the right hand. Replace marker.

Knit 3 rounds

Next round: *K1, sl2tog, k1, psso; repeat from * to the end of the round (16sts). Remove your end of round marker and slip 1 st from the left hand needle onto the right hand. Replace marker.

Knit 3 rounds

Next round: K2tog around (8sts)

Next round: K2tog around (4sts)

Knit 2 rounds. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight and fasten off.

Finishing

Darn in end of yarn and block according to the instructions on your yarn label.


Copyright Sarah Bradberry May 19th 2004. All rights reserved.