Nothing seedy about these caps

Among the Saturday-morning errands on my list today is a stop at the post office to mail the caps I made for the Ships Project on vacation. Naturally I always wish I'd been more productive, but Ellen Harpin is always gracious and happy to receive even small shipments of donations for the troops.

This pattern was actually a bit of a mistake. I started out casting on 66 stitches (I thought), but -- perhaps distracted by the magnificient view of the Carribbean, I had miscounted. So, instead of the traditional ribbed cuff, I knit a seed stitch on 65 stitches instead. I was pretty happy with the result. The seed-stitch cuff is cushy and comfy, providing a bit of extra thickness over the ears without needing to be turned up. I liked it so much I repeated the "mistake" on the next cap.

If you'd like to give it a try, here's the pattern.

Ships Cap with Seed-Stitch Cuff

Using 12-inch circular needle (size 10) and two strands of worsted-weight yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft), cast on 65 stitches. Add marker and join. K1, P1 around until piece measures about 2 1/2 inches long (after the first round, you'll be knitting in the purl stitches and purling in the knit stitches, forming the seed stitch.)

Switch to stockinette stitch (K only) until piece measures about 5 1/2 inches long.

At beginning of next round, K6, K2tog around. K next round. Then: K5, K2tog around, K next round. Keep decreasing in this manner, every other round, switching to DPNs as needed, until only a few stitches remain. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches and draw securely.

Now...I'm off to the post office!