Providing needy children with cozy hats to keep them warm is what Caps for Kids is all about. Nearly one million caps, along with other children's accessories, have been knitted and crocheted by volunteers since the program began. The hats are given to non-profit, non denominational agencies in the communities of the donors.

By January 2005, a data base of stores across the country that collect and distribute Caps for Kids will also be available. In the interim, caps can be mailed to the following address for distribution to children's charities:

Caps for Kids
469 Hospital Dr., 2nd Floor Suite E
Gastonia, NC 28054

To help you get started the following cap patterns are provided courtesy of Caps for Kids. One is specially sized to fit smaller premature babies; the second, is a basic children's cap.


Crocheted Preemie Cap

Size: 10" diameter.
Materials:

• Sport yarn, one 3-oz (279-yd) skein white #01.
• Crochet hooks: E/4 and F/5 (3.5 and 3.75 mm) or size to obtain gauge.
• Satin ribbon 1/8", 2/3 yd.
• Tapestry needle.
• Gauge in single crochet with larger hook: 11 sts = 2"; 6 rows = 1".

Ribbed Brim:
With smaller hook, ch 6.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and next 4 sc; ch1 and turn.
Row 2: Work across in sc, inserting hook through back of sts only; ch 1 and turn. Rep Row 2 until band measures 10" long. Do not end off.

Top:
Row 1: With larger hook, ch 1, work 54 sc along long edge of band; ch1 and turn.
Row 2: Ch 3 (counts as dc), dc in next sc; *ch 1, sk 1 sc, dc in next sc; rep from * to end of row; ch 1 and turn.
Row 3: Sc in each dc and ch 1 sp around; ch 1 and turn - 54 sc.
Row 4: Sc in each sc across; ch1 and turn. Rep row 4 until cap measures 2" from edge.
Shape Top: Row 1: *Sc in 4 sts, work 2 sc tog; rep from * across: ch 1 and turn - 45 sc.
Rows 2, 4, 6, and 8: Sc in each sc across; ch 1 and turn.
Row 3: *Sc in 3 sts. work 2 sc tog; rep from* across; ch 1 and turn - 36 sc.
Row 5: *Sc in 2 sts, work 2 sc tog; rep from * across; ch 1 and turn - 27 sc.
Row 7: *Sc in 1 st, work 2 sc tog; rep from * across; ch 1 and turn - 18 sc.
Row 9: Work 2 sc tog across; ch 1 and turn - 9 sc.
Row 10: Rep row 2; do not ch 1, but end off. Finishing: Weave end of yarn through rem sts and pull tightly to close top. Sew back seam. Weave ribbon through eyelet row, tying a bow in center front.

Swirled Ski Cap
(courtesy of Caps for Kids)

Materials (see note):

• 3.5 ozs. 4-ply worsted-weight yarn, Main Color

• 3.5 ozs. 4-ply worsted-weight yarn, Contrasting Color

• Size 8 Knitting Needles

Cast on 30 (child) or 40 (adult) stitches:

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Purl 1st two stitches together (tog), purl to last stitch. Knit twice in last stitch.

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: Purl 1st two stitches tog, purl to last stitch, knit twice in last stitch.

Row 5: Knit.

Row 6: Repeat Row 4.

Change Color

Row 7: Purl.

Row 8: Knit 1st two stitches tog, knit to last stitch, knit twice in last stitch.

Row 9: Purl.

Row 10: Repeat Row 8.

Row 11: Purl.

Row 12: Repeat Row 8.

Repeat these 12 rows 7 times (9). Cast off. Pick up 86 (108) stitches on bottom or piece. Knit one, Purl one for 20 (30 Rows with Main Color yarn, sew up side seam, gathering top together. Make pom-pom and sew to top.

You may pick up stitches on double pointed needles or a circular needle to knit the rib on the bottom of the cap.

Note: This amount of yarn will make 2 caps. If you want a solid color cap you just need one skein of yarn. For a Rainbow Cap (multi-colored effect): Add different colors on knit rows and white on purl rows.