Knitting is a patient craft, it’s true. If we valued speed over craft we wouldn’t be hand-crafters. With that being said, In the narrative of the craft year, there will always come a time when you’d like something that works up a bit faster. This might mean you’re under a time crunch for a gift, or your fall yarn purchases included an irresistible bit of bulky wool that by it’s very nature is small on yardage but big on everything else. For you, I wrote up a ribbed hat pattern with instructions for both ‘chunky’ and bulkier yarns. Plain ribbing means this toque can be whipped up in transit, on lunch breaks, or in a waiting room. Awesome! You can download a PDF copy here, or carry on reading.
For my test I used one ball of Estelle Union – a wonderful merino/acrylic blend whose label describes a gauge of 11 stitches to 4″ on a 10mm needle. With 100m/110yds per 100g ball, I was able to get two hats – one knit on a 10mm and one on a 9mm, plus a pom-pom with the leftovers! You can see the slight difference in size you get from using different needles in the photo above.
On Yarn Weight, Needle Size, & Gauge
If you are using a lighter, “chunky” weight yarn, whose label recommends gauging on a 6mm or 6.5mm (such as Cascade Pacific Chunky/Cherub Chunky, Sandnesgarn Soft Alpakka, Borgo de’ Pazzi Royal, Estelle Alcazar, Diamond Baby Alpaca Sport, King Cole Chunky Tweed, Stylecraft’s Alpaca Chunky or Alpaca Tweed Chunky) I recommend a 5.5mm/9US needle for a ‘tighter’ beanie fit or a 6.5mm/10.5US needle for a ‘looser’ toque fit.
If you are using a heaver, “bulky” weight yarn, whose label recommends gauging on a 9mm or 10mm needle (such as Estelle Union, King Cole Big Value Super Chunky Tints, Katia Ushuaia, Hayfield Super Chunky with Wool) I recommend an 8 or 9mm/11 or 13US needle for a ‘tighter’ beanie fit, or a 10mm/15US for a ‘looser’ toque fit.
If you are not sure what weight or needle size to use, I would cast on with a needle size you have, work a couple rows, and try it on to see how it fits. Because it works up so fast, you’ll quickly get a sense of if you like the fabric you’re getting or not.
Pattern
Cast on 56 for Chunky or 40 stitches for Bulky, join in the round being careful not to twist. If you want to modify the pattern to make it bigger/smaller, just make sure your cast on number is a multiple of 8 and you’ll be fine.
Place beginning of round marker.
Work in P1, K1 ribbing until 7.5” for Chunky or 6.5“ for Bulky (or your preferred length, adding extra if you want it to be slouchy or have a fold-up brim).
Crown Decreases
Row 1: *P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K1, K2tog* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 2: *P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K2* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 3: *P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K2tog* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 4: *P1, K1* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 5: *P1, K1, P1, K1, K2tog* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 6: *P1, K1, P1, K2* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 7: *P1, K1, P1, K2tog* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 8: *P1, K1* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 9: *P1, K1, K2tog* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 10: *P1, K2* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 11: *P1, K2tog* repeat between * and * to end of round
Row 12: K2tog around
Break yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail, thread through the remaining stitches and draw tight to close.
Weave in ends and wear proudly!
True North Yarn Co. 