A knitted kipah is a new twist on a traditional Jewish symbol worn by many men and boys, but also worn by Jewish women as well in liberal circles. Using double pointed needles and mercerized cotton yarn that makes a firm, tight fabric, this skullcap can be made in an evening. It can be embellished with color changes knitted in or with embroidery after its completion, just as the crocheted skullcaps, which frequently have complicated designs or names in Hebrew or English stitched in. Make one of these for your favorite Bar Mitzvah boy, knit a white one for a Jewish groom, or knit several to match a fashionable woman’s wardrobe. Knit a kipah; a new idea that maintains a centuries-old tradition.

Note:
This is not the pattern that I designed that appeared in the Summer 2002 issue of Interweave Knits. This one is better! It’s new and improved! It’s rounder and has more body, like the crocheted variety.

• Worn by Jews to show deference to a higher power, this has several names. Kipah means skullcap in Hebrew. Yarmulke means skullcap in Yiddish. Since these are transliterations, this can be spelled: kipah, kippah, yarmulke, yarmulkah, yamulka, yamulkah..the English spelling options seem endless!