These are my own directions, created with lots of trial and error and ripping out of many rows. I'm happily sharing them with you, but please use them only for personal use or for your Synagogue Gift Shop.
DC - Double Crochet, ss - Slip Stitch, CH - chain, SC - Single crochet
Chain 5 join with a Slip stitch (ss) to form a small ring.
Round 1: 12 DC in ring. Join last DC of round to first DC of round with a ss.
Round 2: CH 2, *2DC in next st. 3DC in following st. Repeat from *, continue around circle. Join last DC of round to first DC of round with a ss.
Round 3: Ch 2, *1DC in next stitch, then 2DC in next 3 stitches. Repeat from *. Join last DC of round to first DC of round with a ss.
Round 4: CH 3, skip 1 stitch, 1 SC in next stitch. *CH 2.
Continue 1 SC, CH 2 in every other stitch around circle. Join end stitch to beginning CH with a ss. Ss to center top of first CH of round you just completed.
Round 5: CH 4, sc in next loop. CH 3. Sc in next loop, CH 3. Continue around joining last stitch to beginning chain with a ss. Ss to center of first CH of round you just completed.
Rounds 6 and 7: Repeat round 5
If stitches don't come out even at end of round, fake it by leaving an extra st between loops and adding another chain.
Round 8: CH 2, 4 DC in first loop. *5 DC in each of next 2 loops then 4 DC in following loop. Continue repeating from * around kippah. Join with a ss.
Round 9: CH 2, 1 DC in each stitch around kippah. Join with a ss.
Round 10: CH 3, skip 1 stitch, 1 SC in next stitch. *CH 2.
Continue 1 SC, CH 2 in every other stitch around circle. Join end stitch to beginning CH with a ss. Ss to center top of first CH of round you just completed.
Round 11: CH 4, sc in next loop. CH 3. Sc in next loop, CH 3. Continue around joining last stitch to beginning chain with a ss. Ss to center of first CH of round you just completed.
Round 12 and 13: Repeat round 11
If stitches don't come out even at end of round, fake it by leaving an extra st between loops and adding another chain.
Your kippah probably looks rather ruffley now. Don't worry. Next we'll pull it in.
Round 14: CH 2. 2 DC in each loop around kippah. Join with a ss.
Round 15: CH 2. *1 DC in next 4 stitches. 2 DC in following stitch. Repeat from * around kippah. join with a ss.
Round 14: CH 3, skip 1 stitch, 1 SC in next stitch. *CH 2.
Continue 1 SC, CH 2 in every other stitch around circle. Join end stitch to beginning CH with a ss. Ss to center top of first CH of round you just completed.
Round 15: CH 4, sc in next loop. CH 3. Sc in next loop, CH 3. Continue around joining last stitch to beginning chain with a ss. Ss to center of first CH of round you just completed.
Rounds 16 and 17: Repeat round 14 If stitches don't come out even at end of round, fake it by leaving an extra st between loops and adding another chain
Round 18: CH 2, 2 DC in each loop. Join with a ss.
Round 19: CH 2, *1 DC in next 4 stitches. 2 DC in following stitch. Continue repeating from * around kippah. Join with a ss.
Round 20: (A loopy edge!) CH 5, skip 2 stitches and SC in 3rd stitch from beginning. *CH 4, skip 2 stitches and 1 SC in next stitch. Continue from * around kippah. Join with a ss, cut thread and weave end through a few stitches to hide it. (I leave a short tail of thread at the beginning of the kippah to 'mark' the wrong side.)
Decorate to your heart's content, before you starch the kippah. I use beads and braids. When sewing 'stuff' on, make sure you don't pull your thread too tight. You don't want to lose any stretch.
The kippah is very floppy and perhaps not shaped nicely. That's OK! First wash your kippah in HOT water with a mild detergent. I use baby shampoo. Wring it out then lay it flat on a towel. Wrap the towel around it and wring it out.
Remove the kippah from the towel and dip in in FULL STRENGTH liquid starch. Gently remove some of the excess... drips are OK. Place the kippah over a Corelle cereal/soup bowl. (It's about 6.25 inches across and 2 inches deep) "Smoosh" and smooth the starch dripping kippah into shape. Let it dry for about 24 hours and peel it off the bowl. It will now adjust to fit most any adult head and still keep it's nice shape.
Longer chain loops in the lace sections. Beads are hand made polymer clay.
