International Seafarers Ministry Watch Cap

Pattern: Seafarers Watch Cap
Source: International Seafarers Ministry
Yarn: Jo Sharp DK Wool, one and a half skeins used
Needles: size 5 and 6 16" Addi Turbo circulars, size 6 doublepoints for the man's size or to get gauge of 20 stitches and 24 rows to 4" (for a woman's size, use a size 4 circular for ribbing and a size 6 for the stockinette portion or size needed to obtain gauge)

The classic watch cap, derived from the ultimate source, a website for sailors. (Be aware that this is a missionary-style site, and if that offends you, you may not want to visit it. I'm not an advocate of missionary work, but I happened upon this pattern years ago while in search of a traditional watch cap, and in the spirit of religious tolerance and respect for good knitting, I recommend it because it's still the best that I've found.) Six and a half inches of K2P2 ribbing, four inches of stockinette, then a series of 10 stitches decreased until you're down to 11 stitches. Then you break the yarn, thread it through a darning needle, take it through the last stitches and tighten up the crown so that there are no holes, and finish it off. Finish any loose ends, and it's ready to wear.

I've made this same hat, in the same yarn, at least three times, and I still enjoy the simplicity and classicism of the pattern. I've tried it in Rowan Felted Tweed, too, in a claret color, but I think that this hat wants to be navy or black, or maybe grey on a more adventurous day. It's reminiscent of pea coats and English accents and cold, sharp wind and sailing vessels. It knits up fast and lends itself to short bursts of knitting while waiting for appointments or riding in the car.