purlJam

# Spiky Doll Hair Cap

A cheerful, beginner-friendly knitted "hair cap" for a doll, worked seamlessly in the round from the crown down, then finished with a crop of jaunty knitted spikes. The cap slips neatly over a doll's head and can be stitched in place. Perfect for a punky little character!

**Finished size:** Fits a doll head of approximately 20 cm (8 in) circumference.

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted (Aran) weight yarn in your chosen hair colour. Approx. 25 m (27 yd) for the cap and spikes. A small amount goes a long way!
- **Needles:** Set of 3.5 mm (UK size 9–10 / US 4) double-pointed needles (DPNs), or a short circular for magic-loop.
- **Notions:** Tapestry/yarn needle, stitch marker, small amount of toy stuffing (optional, to plump spikes), scrap yarn for marking spike positions.

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## Tension (Gauge)

20 sts × 28 rounds = 10 cm (4 in) over stocking stitch (st st) worked in the round on 3.5 mm needles.

*Tension is not critical for a doll accessory, but a tighter fabric keeps the cap neat and prevents the doll's head showing through.*

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## Abbreviations (UK)

- **k** – knit
- **p** – purl
- **st(s)** – stitch(es)
- **st st** – stocking stitch (k every round)
- **kfb** – knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog** – knit two stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **rnd(s)** – round(s)
- **pm** – place marker
- **rem** – remaining
- **rep** – repeat
- **DPN(s)** – double-pointed needle(s)

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## Pattern Notes

- The cap is worked **top-down in the round**, beginning at the crown with a small number of stitches and increasing to fit.
- Spikes are knitted separately as tiny **I-cords** and sewn on afterwards, so beginners can work the cap first, then add as many spikes as desired.
- If your doll's head is larger or smaller, simply add or remove one increase round (each round changes the circumference by approx. 4 cm).

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## Instructions

### Part 1 — The Cap (Crown)

Cast on **8 sts**. Divide evenly over 3–4 DPNs, join in the round being careful not to twist. **pm** to mark the beginning of the round.

**Rnd 1:** *kfb; rep from * to end. → **16 sts**
*(8 sts × 2 = 16 sts ✓)*

**Rnd 2:** k all sts. → 16 sts

**Rnd 3:** *kfb, k1; rep from * to end. → **24 sts**
*(8 increases added: 16 + 8 = 24 ✓)*

**Rnd 4:** k all sts. → 24 sts

**Rnd 5:** *kfb, k2; rep from * to end. → **32 sts**
*(8 increases: 24 + 8 = 32 ✓)*

**Rnd 6:** k all sts. → 32 sts

**Rnd 7:** *kfb, k3; rep from * to end. → **40 sts**
*(8 increases: 32 + 8 = 40 ✓)*

**Validation:** 40 sts ÷ 20 sts per 10 cm = **20 cm circumference** ✓ (matches target doll head).

### Part 2 — The Sides

Work straight in st st (k every round) on these 40 sts until the cap measures **5 cm (2 in)** from the crown, or until it covers the doll's head as desired. At 28 rounds = 10 cm, this is approximately **14 rounds**.

### Part 3 — The Edge

**Next rnd:** *k1, p1; rep from * to end. → 40 sts
Work this k1, p1 ribbing for **3 rounds** to create a tidy, non-curling brim.

Cast off loosely in pattern (k the knits, p the purls as you cast off).

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### Part 4 — The Spikes (make 15)

Each spike is a tiny 4-row I-cord.

Using 2 DPNs, cast on **3 sts**. Leave a 15 cm tail for sewing.

**I-cord rows:** *k3, do not turn. Slide the sts back to the right-hand end of the needle and bring the yarn firmly across the back. Rep from * for **6 rows**, pulling the yarn snug each time so the cord forms a tube.

*(6 rows on 3 sts produces a spike approx. 2 cm long.)*

**Finish the tip:** k3tog (slip remaining loop), or k1, k2tog → break yarn and thread through the rem sts, pull tight to close the point.

Make a total of **15 spikes**. For varied "spiky" texture, work some spikes at 4 rows (shorter) and some at 8 rows (taller).

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## Finishing

1. **Weave in** the crown cast-on tail and the brim cast-off tail neatly on the inside of the cap.

2. **Mark spike positions:** Using scrap yarn, lightly mark 15 evenly spaced points across the top and upper sides of the cap — roughly 3 rings of 5 spikes (centre crown, mid-cap, upper side), leaving the ribbed brim free.

3. **Attach the spikes:** Thread the cast-on tail of each spike onto the tapestry needle. From the **right side**, push the needle through the cap fabric at a marked point and back up close by, anchoring the spike base firmly with 2–3 small stitches. Knot off on the inside. Optionally tuck a tiny wisp of stuffing into taller spikes to keep them standing proud.

4. **Place the cap** on the doll's head. Stitch the brim discreetly to the doll's head with matching thread if you'd like it permanently fixed.

5. **Style** the spikes by gently teasing them upright and outward for maximum punk attitude!

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**Tips:**
- Keep I-cord stitches snug at the join to avoid a ladder gap; a firm tug after each row does the trick.
- Mix two shades of yarn for a streaked, multi-tonal hair effect.
- For a softer "tufted" look, replace I-cord spikes with simple loop stitches: pull a 3 cm loop of yarn through the cap and knot at the base.

Enjoy your doll's bold new hairstyle!