07-10-2011 Wish me luck… I am attempting to alter this pattern to use DK weight yarn. The pattern calls for worsted weight. I am casting on 132 stitches on size 2 circular needles and plan to switch to size 3 for the remainder of the cap. I’ve been wanting to make this cap for quite some time. Will most likely be a chemo cap, but may go to friend, Tracy H.

07-18-2011 Yay! Finished. Need to sew on some button eyes!

I copied the pattern below from www.penguinpurls.blogspot.com/2008/12/who/html
I just changed the numbers to make it work with this yarn on these needles.

My changes are in boldface.

Here are my alterations to make this cap using DK weight yarn on size 2 and size 3 circular (16-inch) needles. Also, used size 3 dpns for top of hat.

Materials:
1 ball Berroco Comfort DK
size 2 and size 3 circular needle (16 inches in length)
size 3 dpns
small buttons for eyes (sewing needle and thread)

Sizes:
Adult
Abbreviations:
C4F: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, k2 from cable neeedle
C4B: slip two sts onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle

Owl Cable pattern:
(multiple of 11 sts)
Rounds 1-3: p3, k8, repeat from to end
Round 4: p3, C4B, C4F, repeat to end
Rounds 5-11: same as round 1
Round 12: same as round 4
Round 13: same as round 1
Rounds 14-15: p3, k1, p2, k2, p2, k1. repeat to end
Round 16-17: same as round 1
Round 18: same as round 4
Round 19: same as round 1

Directions:
On size 2 circular needle, cast on 132 sts, join in round and work in 2x2 ribbing for 10 rows (about 1 inch) and then SWITCH to size 3 circular needle.

Switch to stockinette and work for 7 rounds.
(original pattern recommends 5 rows).

Next, work 19 rows of owl cable pattern over all sts (one dozen little owls!)

Next, knit 1 round, then knit 1 row increasing a total of 4 stitches along the way. To accomplish this, I (k33, m1 stitch) for a total of 4 times (increased to a total of 136 stitches in round).

Continue in stockinette stitch until work measures about 5.5 inches including ribbing or to desired length (I knit a total of 20 rows in stockinette stitch after Row 19 of the Owl Cable pattern).

Decrease as follows:
K15, k2tog, repeat to end. (128 stitches)
Knit 1 round plain.
K14, k2tog (120 stitches).
Knit 1 round plain.
k13, k2tog (112 stitches).
Knit 1 round plain.
k12, k2tog (104 stitches)

Continue decreasing in this manner until 104 sts remain.
Then decrease every round (no plain rounds) until 8 sts remain. Cut yarn and pass through remaining sts to fasten off.

Weave in all ends and block.

Sew buttons over the purl sections within the cable pattern that form the owl’s eyes.

Like I said, all I did was alter this pattern using smaller needles and a lighter weight yarn. The pattern is great and I so appreciate folks like Sara Amoroso who share their creative designs like she does in her blog. This cap used nearly all the ball of Berroco Comfort DK yarn. In retrospect, I could have started the decrease rounds sooner, but for chemo caps… I tend to think a longer cap is better than a beanie or skull cap.