By: Amy Zambonin
One of my fall goals was to learn to knit something practical so I finally ventured out of my comfort zone, learned to follow a pattern, and made something that actually turned out on my first try!
I found this pattern from London Loop Knit Lounge and thought I’d give it a try. I used her straight needle version with regular Red Heart worsted weight yarn and it turned out great. I thought it was going to be too small for me, but it actually fit perfectly when I flipped up the brim.
Although I did like it, it just wasn’t quite cozy enough for me. So I headed out to Michael’s and found some chunky Hudson Bay yarn. Isn’t it amazing?! I love the stripes it naturally made and how the colors blend together. I pretty much want to make everything out of it now!
The finished toque brim measures 19″ around and 9″ from top to bottom. On my head, it’s not big enough to flip the brim up, but I’m ok with that.
What you need to know:
Casting on
Knit and purl
Knit 2 together (K2tog)
Mattress stitch
Supplies:
Super bulky weight yarn (I used Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick in Hudson Bay)
7mm straight needles
Scissors
Tapestry needle (aka a blunt needle that has an eye large enough to thread your yarn through)
What to do:
Brim
Cast on 60 stitches
Knit 2, Purl 2 and repeat on each row until you have about 2 inches or until the brim is as wide as you want it to be. Mine is 7 rows.
Remember that when you start a new row you need to follow the same stitch as you see. As in if the 2 stitches below where you are are purled, then you need to purl the 2 that will be above it to keep the ribbed look going. This is helpful for if you can’t remember what stitch you’re on!
Body
Stocking stitch (knit right side, purl wrong side) for about 20 rows ending on the wrong side.
Crown
Always knit on the right side and purl on the wrong side.
Row 1: Knit 5, K2tog, repeat to end (60 stitches total)
Row 2: purl
Row 3: Knit 4, K2tog, repeat to end (50 stitches left)
Row 4: purl
Row 5: Knit 3, K2tog, repeat to end (40 stitches left)
Row 6: purl
Row 7: Knit 2, K2tog, repeat to end (30 stitches left)
Row 8: purl
Row 9: Knit 1, K2tog, repeat to end (20 stitches left)
Row 10: purl
Row 11: K2tog, repeat to end (10 stitches left)
Cut yarn leaving about a 30 inch tail. Thread yarn onto a tapestry needle and carefully remove knitting needle. Run tapestry needle through the remaining 10 stitches and pull tight to close.
Sew seam together using the magical mattress stitch. Seriously, the first time I did it I was so impressed at how it works. It’s some sort of wizardry! Weave the remaining tail of the yarn into the inside of the toque.
Pom pom time!
Cut a piece of yarn about 8 inches long and lay it on a flat surface.
Wrap yarn around 4 of your fingers about 80 times. The more times your wrap it the fuller your pom pom will be.
Carefully slide the yarn off your fingers and lay it on that piece of string you cut earlier.
Tie it tight! Like super tight. Then flip it over and tie a knot on the other side too.
Take your scissors and cut through all the loops.
Now give it a haircut to even it out, but don’t cut the strings that you tied before.
Take them and thread them through the top of your toque and tie it tight on the inside. I used a crochet hook to weave it through some of the stitches and then knotted it to hold it in place.
I hope you enjoy making, and wearing, this cozy toque this winter!
