From: GERSTNER <gerstner@CCGATE.UCOMM.ohio-state.edu>
Subject: Swatch caps

          The swatch caps sound like an Elizabeth Zimmermann idea.
          She talks about this in "Knitting Around" (I think that's
          the name -- I have trouble remembering exact titles) and
          also in an article in VK several years ago.  I recently
          finished two of these "Very Warm Caps" so can give you
          directions.

          Basically, you are making a self-lined cap.

          Measure your head --over both ears, where the bottom edge of
          the cap will be when you wear it.

          Cast on enough stitches to give you the desired
          circumference (the number should be divisible by 7 or 8).  I
          used 104 stitches with worsted weight wool and size 6
          (American) needles.

          Join and knit for 8 inches.  You can put any design you want
          on the first 4 inches.  I used a fair isle snowflake on one
          cap and some loopy novely yarn on another.

          Start your decrease at this point.  You do this by dividing
          the total stitches by 7 or 8 and knitting 2 tog at the end
          of each group.  For example, I divided 104 by 8 = 13, so I
          knit 11, K2 tog, all the way around.

          Next row Knit all stitches.
          Next row K10, K2 tog all around
          Next row K all.
          Next row K9, k2 tog all around
          Etc. until you have 7 stitches in each group.
          Then decrease same way EVERY round.
           You'll have to switch to double point needles for the last
          few rounds.
          When you have only 7 or 8 stitches left, cut the yarn and
          run it through the stitches, drawing them together tightly.
          Fasten.

          Now, pick up the same number of stitches on the cast on edge
          and do the same thing (can use different patterns, colors)
          again.  PURL THE FIRST ROW--this forms a crease that
          makes the fold crisper.  Then continue same as before.  When
          you're finished, punch one hat into the other.  Voila, a
          reversible, very warm (six layer of knitting over your ears)
          hat!

          You could make an unlined version, but be aware that the
          wrong side will show when you turn up the cuff -- so plan
          accordingly.

          One lined cap takes about 100 grams of worsted weight wool
          (I used Brown Sheep NatureSpun)

          This is more work than I'm inclined to do for a swatch, but
          it is a nice cap and a great way to use up odds and ends of
          yarn.

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This pattern downloaded from Wool Works: the online knitting compendium
http://www.woolworks.org/