Toque

One caveat:  Make sure of your gauge.  The first one I made fit like a 
bucket.  Part of the problem was that the yarn I used, though clearly 
marked "sport weight," was actually closer to worsted weight.  If you are 
teaching a child or a beginner, have him or her do a swatch first, so 
that you can adjust the needle size up or down.  (My DS knits very 
tightly, and my oldest DD knits very loosely, and thus they virtually 
never use the size needles specified in patterns.)  For that 
matter, do a swatch even if you're NOT a child or a beginner.

You can do this in one color, in stripes, or in variegated yarn.  I chose 
variegated for my 5-year-old, as I knew she'd enjoy watching the colors 
change every few inches.  Do whatever floats your boat.

If you do stripes in two colors you'll need about 1 50g. ball each color 
for the child's version, and about 2 balls each color for the adult.  
Sport weight, but as I said earlier, make sure it's REALLY sport weight.
(Or cast on fewer stitches, and use worsted weight.  Whatever.)  Your gauge 
should be 11 sts to 2".  Try #5 needles first (--I say this 
just to give you a starting place--), but do adjust size as necessary.

The toques can be done completely on four longish dpns, or 
5-6 shorter dpns, OR (my favorite) start off with dpns and switch to 
circular needles at the earliest opportunity.  This would be after you've 
knitted 3" or so from the beginning.  Those circulars are WONDERFUL once 
you get going on them.  Perhaps I'm wrong, but I think there's too much 
potential for a young child to lose one of the dpns, or to become 
confused about which one to use when.

First numbers are for child's size, numbers in parens for adult version.

CO 34 (40) sts.  Divide on 3 dpns, join, and place a marker at the 
beginning of the round.  Knit one round.  Next rnd:  Inc one in every st 
around; you should now have 68 (80) sts.  Knit another rnd even.  Next 
rnd:  K1, inc in next st, rep around.  Now you have 102 (120) sts.

Knit, knit, knit, knit, knit--  You're going to be doing stockinette st 
for a LONG time.  After you've done 3-4" you should be able to switch to 
circular needles, and then it's a piece of cake.  If you want to stick 
with dpns, for some reason, more power to you.  If you want to do 
stripes, change color as the mood strikes you.

Knit until the piece is 19" (23") total length.  Now dec as follows:
Rnd 1: K1, K2 tog, rep around.  68 (80) sts
Rnd 2:  K
Rnd 3:  K2 tog, rep around.  34 (40) sts.

K 1 rnd even.  Break yarn, leaving a 12" tail.  Thread through the 
remaining sts, pull tightly to gather closed.

To wear:  Stuff one end inside the other, and fold up cuff.  Thus, you 
have a double layer through the top of the hat, and a quadruple layer 
over the ears.  Nice for North Dakota winters, no?

If you have problems, e-mail me privately.

Best to you all,

Dorothea Nelson
dornelso@badlands.NoDak.edu

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