Man's Knit Ski Cap

 Ply ("Tangle-Proof" Pull-Out Skeins): No. 912 Geranium; 4 ounces each for Cap.
Knitting Needles, 1 pair No. 3 and No. 6.

GAUGE: Cable Panel-20 sts = 2V2 inches.
Stockinette Stitch— 5 sts = 1 inch; 7 rows = 1 inch.

CAP
Starting at face edge with No. 3 needles, cast on 126 sts. Work 6 rows of к 1, p 1 ribbing. Change to No. 6 needles and work in pattern as follows:

1st row: К 22, p 2, к 16, p 2, к 42, p 2, к 16, p 2, к 22.
2nd row: К 1, p 21, к 2, p 16, к 2, p 42, к 2, p 16, к 2, p 21, к 1.
3rd row: К 22, p 2, к 4, slip next 4 sts onto a cable holder and hold in back of work, к next 4 sts, к the 4 sts from holder—back cable made; к 4, p 2, к 42, p 2, к 4, back cable over next 8 sts, к 4, p 2, к 22.

Next 3 rows: Repeat 2nd, first and 2nd rows.
7th row: К 22, p 2, slip next 4 sts onto a holder and hold in front of work, к next 4 sts, к the 4 sts from holder—front cable made; make another front cable over next 8 sts, p 2, к 42, p 2, make 2 front cables, p 2, к 22.

8th row: Repeat 2nd row. Repeat last 8 rows for pattern. Work in pattern until total length is about 8 inches, ending with 3rd row.

Top Shaping: 1st row: К 1, p 19, p 2 tog, place a marker on needle, к 2 (p 2, p 2 tog) twice; (p 2 tog, p 2) twice; к 2, place a marker on needle, p 2 tog, p 38, p 2 tog, place a marker on needle, к 2, (p 2, p 2 tog) twice; (p 2 tog, p 2) twice; к 2, place a marker on needle, p 2 tog, p 19, к 1—12 sts decreased.

NOTE: Always slip markers.
2nd row: * К to within 2 sts before next marker, к 2 tog, p 2, к to within 2 sts before next marker, p 2, к 2 tog. Repeat from * once; к remaining sts— 4 sts decreased.
3rd row: К 1, * p to within 2 sts before next marker, p 2 tog, к 2, p to within 2 sts before next marker, к 2, p 2 tog. Repeat from * once; p to within last st, к 1—4 sts decreased.

4th row: * К to within 2 sts before next marker, к 2 tog, p 2, (slip next 3 sts onto a holder and hold in front of work, к next 3 sts, к the 3 sts from holder— a front cable over 6 sts made) twice; p 2, к 2 tog. Repeat from * once; к remain-ing sts—4 sts decreased.

Next 3 rows: Repeat 3rd, 2nd and 3rd rows.

8th row: * К to within 2 sts before next marker, к 2 tog, p 2, к 3, make a back cable over next 6 sts, к 3, p 2, к 2 tog. page 31 from * once; к remaining sts—4 sts de-creased.

9th row: К 1, * p to within 2 sts before next marker, p 2 tog, к 2, (p 1, p 2 tog) twice; (p 2 tog, p 1) twice; к 2, p 2 tog. Repeat from * once; p to within last st, к 1—12 sts decreased.

Next 2 rows: Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows.
12th row: * К to within 2 sts before next marker, к 2 tog, p 2, (make a front cable over next 4 sts) twice; p 2, к 2 tog. Repeat from * once; к remaining sts.

Next 3 rows: Repeat 3rd, 2nd and 3rd rows.
16th row: * К to within 2 sts before next marker, к 2 tog, p 2, к 2, make a back cable over next 4 sts, к 2, p 2, к 2 tog. Repeat from * once; к remaining sts.
17th row: К 1, * p to within 2 sts before next marker, p 2 tog, к 2, (p 2 tog) 4 times; к 2, p 2 tog. Repeat from * once; p to within last st, к 1—12 sts decreased.

Next 2 rows: Repeat 2nd and 3rd rows.
20th row: К 1, * к 2 tog, p 2 tog, make a back cable over next 4 sts, p 2 tog, к 2 tog. Repeat from * once; к 1—18 sts remain.

21st row: (P 2 tog) 9 times. Break yarn, leaving an 18-inch length. Thread a needle with this length, draw through remaining 9 sts, pull up tightly and fasten securely; then sew back seam.