Cadet Cap

Crocheted Toddler Cap

Technique used: Crochet

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference (at widest): 17 1/2"/44.5cm
Height: 6 1/2"/16.5cm

MATERIALS

Vickie Howell for Caron Sheep(ish) (70% Acrylic/30% Wool; 3oz/85g, 167yds/153m)
#0002 Gun Metal(ish) (A): 1 ball
#0021 Lime(ish) (B): 1 ball

One size US F-5 (3.75mm) crochet hook, or size to obtain gauge.
Stitch markers
Yarn needle

GAUGE
In double crochet, 18 sts and 8 rows = 4"/10cm.

STITCHES USED

Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), half double crochet (hdc), single crochet (sc), slip stitch (sl st)

SPECIAL STITCH

dc2tog: Double crochet 2 together—[Yarn over, insert hook in next st and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on hook] twice, yarn over and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

CAP

Ribbed Sides

With A, ch 20.

Row 1: Working in back loops only, dc in 4th ch from hook (beginning ch counts as first dc) and in each remaining ch across, turn—18 sts.

Rows 2–36: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout ribbed sides), sk first st, working in back loops only, dc in each st across, dc in top of beginning ch, turn.

Note: Customize fit, by working more or fewer rows of ribbing to fit comfortably around head.

Fold piece in half, matching chains at bottom of foundation chain and stitches of Row 36.

Joining Row: Ch 1, working through both thicknesses, sl st across to join ribbing into a circle. Do not fasten off.

Crown

Note: Crown is worked in joined rounds, with RS facing at all times. Join, but do not turn at the ends of rounds.

Round 1 (RS): Working around one edge of ribbing circle, work 54 sc evenly spaced around; join with sl st in first sc—54 sc.

Round 2: Ch 3 (does not count as a st), working in back loops only, *dc in next 4 sts, dc2tog; repeat from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—45 sts.

Round 3: Ch 3, *dc in next st, dc2tog; repeat from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—30 sts.

Round 4: Ch 3, *dc in next st, dc2tog; repeat from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—20 sts.

Round 5: Ch 3, *dc2tog; repeat from * around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—10 sts.

Fasten off, leaving an 8"/20.5cm tail. Thread tail through outside loop of each stitch of the last round. Pull to close opening at top of cap. Draw remaining tail to inside of cap, secure, and weave in end.

VISOR

Place a stitch marker, on unworked edge of ribbed sides (opposite crown), in end of first and last row of the 12 ribbed rows centered on the front of the cap.

Row 1 (RS): Working in ends of rows of unworked edge of ribbed sides, join A with sc in end of first marked row, work 18 more sc evenly spaced across to the second marked row, sc in end of second marked row, turn—20 sc.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in first st, hdc in next st, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] 2 times, 2 dc in next st, dc in next 6 sts, [2 dc in next st, dc in next st] 2 times, 2 dc in next st, hdc in next st, sc in last st, turn—26 sts.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in first st, hdc in next st, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st; repeat from * to last 2 sts, hdc in next st, sc in last st, DO NOT TURN, sl st evenly spaced down side edge of visor, DO NOT TURN.

Edging Round: Sc evenly spaced around lower edge of cap, sc evenly spaced across side edge of visor, across front edge of visor, and down other side edge of visor; join with sl st in first sc.

Fasten off, leaving a 6"/15cm tail.

STRAP

With B, ch 34.

Round 1: Work 2 dc in 3rd ch from hook (beginning ch does not count as a st), dc in each remaining ch across to last ch, 4 dc in last ch; working across opposite side of foundation ch, dc in each ch across to last ch, 2 dc in last ch; join with sl st in first dc—68 dc.

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each of first 2 sts, sc in next 30 sts, 2 sc in each of next 4 sts, sc in next 30 sts, 2 sc in each of last 2 sts; join with sl st in first sc. Fasten off.

BUTTONS (make 2)

With A, ch 3; join with sl st in first ch to form a ring.

Round 1: Ch 2 (counts as first hdc here and throughout), 7 hdc in ring; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—8 hdc.

Round 2: Ch 2, hdc in same st as join, 2 hdc in each remaining st around; join with sl st in top of beginning ch—16 hdc.

Round 3: Sl st in each st around; join with sl st in first sl st.

Fasten off, leaving an 8"/20.5cm tail. Thread tail through outside loop of each stitch of last round and pull tightly to close. Tie knot to secure. Flatten button.

FINISHING

With RS facing, place strap on cap, centered over visor. Place one button over one curved end of strap and sew in place, sewing through all thicknesses (button, strap, and cap). Repeat to sew second button through other curved end of strap. Using yarn needle, weave in all ends securely.