Classic Canadian Toque

This pattern came to be when my husband requested that we make these for two very special gift recipients this year. Every year, I make the bulk of our gifts for other people, and he gets involved by choosing the projects and the yarn/materials. I choose the patterns - or create them in this case! - and complete the work. I know, it seems a little one-sided, but I can have a bit of a perfectionist streak, so it's probably better this way.

My husband chose a beautiful boucle yarn from Bernat for these hats, and I couldn't find a pattern that had everything I wanted in it, including a pom-pom for the top, earflaps with braids and tassels, and classic styling. Rather than keep searching, I decided to wing it. The results were fantastic, and following is the pattern. This works up in less than an hour and a half, including all the finishing bits, so definitely qualifies as a quick Christmas gift craft!

Bernat Soft Boucle Yarn
Size L crochet hook

Boy do my bangs need a trim!

While this pattern only uses one skein of yarn, you do need to hold two strands together while working, so it's helpful to have two skeins. Plus, it's an excuse to make two hats. If you only want to use one, divide it into two balls before beginning work.

Hold two strands together throughout.

1. Chain three and join with a slip stitch to form a ring.

2. Chain one. SC ten times in the ring. Join with a slip stitch to the first SC.

3. Chain one. Two SC in each SC around. Join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 20 SC.

4. Chain one. One SC in each SC around. Join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 20 SC

5. Chain one. One SC in the next stitch and two SC in the next. Repeat around, and join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 30 SC

6. Chain one. One SC in each SC around. Join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 30 SC.

7. Chain one. SC in the next four SC. Two SC in the next SC. Repeat around, and join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 36 SC

8. Chain one. SC in each SC around and join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 36SC

9. Chain one. SC in the next five SC. Two SC in the next SC. Repeat around, and join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 42 SC

But even if I can't see through my bangs, I know it's a smokin hat.

10. Chain one. SC in each SC around. Join with a slip stitch to the first SC - 42 SC.

11 - 17. Repeat row 10.

18. Chain one. SC in each of the next 10 SC. Chain one and turn.

19 - 20. SC in each SC. Chain one and turn.

21. SC two together. SC in the next six SC. SC two together, chain one and turn. 8 sc

22. SC in each SC. Chain one and turn.

23. SC two together. SC in the next four SC. SC two together, chain one and turn. 6 SC

24. SC in each SC. Chain one and turn.

25. SC two together. SC in the next two SC. SC two together, chain one and turn. 4 SC.

26. SC in each SC. Chain one and turn.

27. SC two together two times. Chain one and turn.

28. SC two together. Finish off.

29. Return to the last row of the hat, and skip 16 sc from the edge of the first earflap. Join yarn with a slip stitch to the next SC, chain one, and SC in the next ten SC. Repeat 19 - 28 to create second earflap.

30. Cut 30 24" lengths of yarn. Divide into two sets of 15 lengths each.

Enough pictures!  Put down the camera, honey.

31. Thread 15 lengths through the bottom stitch of one earflap. Pull through so the ends are even and the lengths are all folded in half. Divide into three groups of ten strands each and braid to within 2 - 3" of the bottoms of the strand. Seperate 4 strands of yarn, wrap snugly around the braid several times, pulling the ends through the wrap and pulling tight to secure. Repeat with the other earflap, and trim the ends of the yarn braids to be even.

32. Create a pom pom as demonstrated in the video below, and sew to the top of the cap.