No, I haven’t fallen off the face of the earth — just got all wrapped up in my own stuff and couldn’t find the energy to post. Funny the ebbs and floods of blogging. Some months you’re all over it, others you can’t stand the thought of it.
So, to make up for being such a slacker, I’d like to present the most adorable and gracious model a knitwear designer (cough cough) could have: LIAM!

Liam is the 5-year-old son of my knitting buddy Lori and does this kid know his knitting! He knows what a drop spindle is, how it works, what kind of yarn mom likes best and is just a bright little bulb. When asked what he thought of the cap, he said “It’s good.” Oh yeaaah!

He kindly agreed to show off the Schwartz’ Stocking Cap I designed — yes, I designed something! — based on the cap the smart-mouthed Schwartz wore in the best Christmas movie ever: A Christmas Story.

This particular hat is kid-sized and it fit Liam perfectly. I’m sure he’d be able to comfortably wear it for a few more years. Luckily he lives in Cali and there’s little need for such amazingly long caps here.

As promised awhile ago, here’s the finished pattern for . . .
Schwartz’ Stocking Cap
(kid sized)
[Randy's Stocking Cap is the adult sized version]
Materials
1 skein each Lion Brand Wool-Ease Brown, White, Red & Gold (or any worsted yarn in those colors)
#7 40″ circular needles (or dpns if you don’t Magic Loop)
darning needle
pom pom maker or piece of cardboard
Gauge
18 sts x 24 rows = 4″ in stockinette
Note
I knit this in the round using the Magic Loop method. It could as easily be knit using dpns.
I also used the ‘jogless jog‘ when changing colors.
Pattern
CO 76 sts with Brown.
Work in 1×1 rib (K1, P1) for 2″ (15 rows).
*Change to White. K 6 rows in stockinette (rest of hat is stockinette).
Change to Red. K 9 rows.
Change to Gold. K 17 rows.
Change to Red. K 9 rows.
Change to Brown. K 4 rows.*
Color changes continue at these intervals for rest of hat.
Approximately 10-12″ into hat, depending on size of head being knit for, decrease every 4 rows. At beginning of decrease round, K2TOG, K to last 2 sts, SSK. Continue decreasing until 6 sts remain. Break yarn & weave through remaining sts.
Make pom pom with Brown & Gold yarn and attach to tip of hat. Weave in loose ends and do Schwartz proud. I triple dog dare you!






12 Comments
February 6, 2008 at 8:19 pm
Looks like Liam had a good time! Nice to “see” you too.
February 12, 2008 at 1:25 pm
[...] Secret Pal 11 Q&A Schwartz’ Stocking Cap Pattern [...]
February 17, 2008 at 1:46 am
Love that movie! This is great. Thanks for the free pattern and Liam looks like fun. Great photos! He’s a cutie.
February 17, 2008 at 11:53 am
Liam’s awesome. My new boyfriend! You can also find the pattern for an adult size (with Randy’s colors) if you click on the ‘Patterns’ category.
February 18, 2008 at 6:33 am
A Christmas Story is a xmas day tradition in my family, and it is the best xmas movie ever!! Thanks for the great pattern!!! I cna’t wait to try it out.
February 20, 2008 at 12:21 am
He is so cute! And the cap is so fun!
February 23, 2008 at 8:01 am
This is ADORABLE! (And so is your model!!)Thanks so much for taking the time to write down your pattern. I can’t wait to make one for my little grandson Keaton.
March 19, 2008 at 6:39 am
Please publish something pretty to be worn, not just shown.
March 27, 2008 at 6:40 am
I think i’ll make the hat first then post my kids’ response. bet they’ll think the world of me not knowing mom got the pattern off the web!
August 8, 2008 at 4:20 am
[...] long enough to trip over, then give this stocking cap a try. The pattern is available for both kids and adults. They’re both based on the hat worn by Schwartz in one of my favorite holiday [...]
December 8, 2008 at 10:11 am
Hi,
My sister died of lymphoma and had bone cancer and lung Cancer too. The doctors thought it was a miracle she lived so long. I know how bad Cancer is.
I’ve been looking all over to buy a stocking hat like this for my nephews. The ages are 2 and 3, years old, is there any possiblity that I could have them made and give you the money for them for Cancer Care. Well, anyway could you make it by Christmas? Please let me know. God Bless You Always and Family. You are in my prays. You People are Wonderful and thanks for sending my Sister a Beautiful Angel, she loved it.
December 30, 2008 at 6:37 pm
Hello,
I just wanted to say that I absolutely LOVE the stocking cap! We’ve been searching endlessly for this exact version of Schwartz’s cap to put our company logo and give to our kids and possibly sell them on our website. Do you make and sell quantities of this stocking cap? If so, I would be interested in obtaining more info from you regarding cost, sizes, etc… Thank you very much in advance. Ryan Safoutin – Founder/CEO – SQUATCHWEAR