Getting Started
To get you off and knitting, you will need 2 pairs of the correct size needles, a ball of machine-washable wool, measuring tape, and a small pair of scissors. You will also need a tapestry or yarn needle. These are large blunt-ended needles with a large eye that is used for stitching the back seam and finishing off the bottom edge. Knitting worsted wool is a good choice, while chunky wool will give you a thicker toque. Because you are using bigger needles and thicker wool with chunky, the toque will knit up much more quickly and produce a thinker toque than using knitting worsted wool. See the instructions for needles sizes, number of stitches and toque length at Knitting Worsted Wool or Chunky Wool.
Michaels Craft stores and some dollar stores have everything you need to get started and they usually have a good selection of colours at competitive prices.
Then use these Learn to Knit Websites and you will be on your way to keeping another young head warm. Here’s some videos that might also be helpful.
If you are new to knitting, then start by using a single colour. Stripes are an easy jump from there and when you’re feeling a little more creative then start to use some of the patterns.
Be sure to use a knitting worsted wool that is machine washable. Michaels Craft stores and dollar stores usually have a good selection of colours at competitive prices. If you are new to knitting, then start by using a single colour. Stripes are an easy jump from there and when you’re feeling a little more creative then start to use some of the other patterns.
Away you go!!
Abbreviations:
sts – stitches
k – knit
p- purl
beg – beginning,
2 tog- knit 2 stitches together (see learn to knit websites or videos)
p2 tog- purl 2 stitches together (see learn to knit websites or videos)
Size 6 – 7
Use the instructions for size 8 – 9, except:
loosely cast on 68 sts, and only increase 2 sts on last row of ribbing
continue until work measures 7 “ from beginning ending on a purl row
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k14** repeat from * to ** until last 5 sts k2tog then k3
Row 2 p2 *p2 tog p13** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k12** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts k2tog then k1
Row 4 p10 *p2 tog p11** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k10** repeat from * to ** until last 11 sts then k11
Row 6 p10 *p2 tog p9** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k8** repeat from * to ** until last 9 sts then k9
Row 8 p8 *p2 tog p7** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 9 k1 *k2 tog k6** repeat from * to ** until last 7 sts then k7
Row 10 p6 *p2 tog p5** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 11 k1 *k2 tog k4** repeat from * to ** until last 5 sts then k5
Row 12 p4 *p2 tog p3** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 13 k1*k2 tog k2** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then k3
Size 8 – 9
Use size 3.75mm (size 5.5) and 4.0mm (size 6) needles
Using the 3.75mm needles, loosely cast on 72 sts and k1p1 for 2″. Increase 3 sts on last row of k1p1 ribbing.
Change to the 4.0 needles and Knit next row. Continue to knit 1 row and then purl the next row until work measures 7.5″ from beg of ribbing ending on a purl row.
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k14** repeat from * to ** until last 10 sts, k2tog then k8 (70 sts)
Row 2 p7 *p2 tog p13** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k12** repeat from * to ** until last 8 sts k2tog then k6
Row 4 p5 *p2 tog p11** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k10** repeat from * to ** until last 6 sts k2tog then k4
Row 6 p3 *p2 tog p9** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k8** repeat from * to ** until last 4 sts k2tog then k2
Row 8 p1 *p2 tog p7** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 9 k1 *k2 tog k6** repeat from * to ** until last 2 sts then k2 tog
Row 10 p6 *p2 tog p5** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 11 k1 *k2 tog k4** repeat from * to ** until last 5 sts then k5
Row 12 p4 *p2 tog p3** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 13 k1*k2 tog k2** repeat from * to ** until last stitch then k3
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 1” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using very loose stitches sew this to inside of toque.
Size 10 – 11
Use the instructions for size 8 – 9, except:
loosely cast on 78 sts, and only increase 2 sts on last row of ribbing
continue until work measures 8 “ from beginning ending on a purl row
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k14** repeat from * to ** until last 15 sts k2tog then k13
Row 2 p12 *p2 tog p13** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k12** repeat from * to ** until last 13 sts k2tog then k11
Row 4 p10 *p2 tog p11** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k10** repeat from * to ** until last 11 sts k2tog then k9
Row 6 p8 *p2 tog p9** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k8** repeat from * to ** until last 9 sts k2tog then k7
Row 8 p6 *p2 tog p7** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 9 k1 *k2 tog k6** repeat from * to ** until last 7 sts k2tog then k5
Row 10 p4 *p2 tog p5** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 11 k1 *k2 tog k4** repeat from * to ** until last 5 sts k2tog then k3
Row 12 p2 *p2 tog p3** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts then p2 tog p1
Row 13 k1*k2 tog k2** repeat from * to ** until last 3 sts k2tog then k1
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 1” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using very loose stitches sew this to inside of toque.
Pattern Using 2 Balls Of Wool
Pattern for ages 8-18 (Instructions for ages 5 – 8 are in brackets)
Using size 10 needles and 2 balls of knitting worsted yarn, either the same colour or different colours cast on 48 (44) stitches. If you are having difficulty with the 2 balls of yarn rolling around, just put them in a plastic bag. Then knit 2 purl 2 on each row until the toque measures 11” (9.5”) from start. Next cut 1 piece of yarn to 15 “ and the other to 43 “. The longer piece will be used to stitch the toque up the back for finishing. On the next row, pass the 1st stitch over the yarn and continue doing so for the remainder of the stitches on this row. Then pull both pieces of yarn through the stitches to close the top. Tie a knot in the 2 pieces of yarn. Using a darning needle and the longer piece of yarn stitch up the back of the back of the hat. Darn in any pieces of yarn left. Then turn up the brim to a desired length.
Knitting With Worsted Wool
Using Chunky Wool will give you a much thicker toque than using Knitting Worsted Wool. It will also knit up much more quickly, as you use bigger needles and the wool is much thicker. However, it will cost you about twice as much as using Knitting Worsted wool. Be sure to use a Chunky Wool that is machine washable. Michaels Craft stores have a selection of colours. If you are new to knitting, then start by using a single colour. Stripes are an easy jump from there and when you’re feeling a little more creative then start to use some of the other patterns.
Away you go!!
Abbreviations: sts – stitches, k – knit, p- purl, beg – beginning, k2 tog- knit 2 stitches together (see learn to knit websites or videos) p2 tog- purl 2 stitches together (see learn to knit websites or videos)
Size 6 – 7
Use the instructions for size 8 – 9, except:
loosely cast on 36 sts, and work in k1p1 ribbing until the work measures 21/4″ and increase 2 sts on last row of ribbing.
Continue until work measures 7 “ from beginning ending on a purl
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k8** and repeat from * to ** to last 7 stitches k2tog then k5
Row 2 p4 *p2 tog p7**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k6** and repeat from * to ** to last 5 stitches k2tog then k3
Row 4 p2 *p2 tog p5**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k4** and repeat from * to ** to last 3 stitch k2tog then k1
Row 6 *p2 tog p3**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k2** and repeat from * to ** to last 3 stitches then k3
Row 8 p2 *p2 tog p1**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 11/4” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using loose stitches, sew this to inside of hat.
Size 8 – 9
Use size 5mm (size 8) and 6mm (size 10) needles
Using the 5mm needles, loosely cast on 40 sts and k1p1 for 21/4″ of ribbing and increase 2 sts evenly on last row of ribbing.
Change to the 6mm needles and Knit next row. Continue to knit 1 row and then purl the next row until work measures 7.5″ from beg of ribbing, ending on a purl row.
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k8** and repeat from * to ** to last 10 stitches k2tog then k8
Row 2 p7 *p2 tog p7**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k6** and repeat from * to ** to last 8 stitches k2tog then k6
Row 4 p5 *p2 tog p5**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k4** and repeat from * to ** to last 6 stitches k2tog then k4
Row 6 p3 *p2 tog p3**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k2** and repeat from * to ** to last 4 stitches k2tog then k2
Row 8 p1 *p2 tog p1**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 11/4” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using loose stitches, sew this to inside of hat.
Size 10 – 11
Use the instructions for size 8 – 9, except:
loosely cast 42 sts and continue until work measures 8″ from beginning, ending on a purl row.
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2tog k10** repeat from * to ** to last 6 sts k2tog then k4
Row 2 p3 *p2tog p9** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2tog k8** repeat from * to ** to last 4 sts k2tog then k2
Row 4 p1 *p2tog p7** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2tog k6** repeat from * to ** to last 2 sts and k2 tog
Row 6 p6 *p2tog p5** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2tog k4** repeat from * to ** to last 7 sts k2tog then k5
Row 8 p4 *p2tog p3** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 9 k1 *k2tog k2** repeat from * to ** to last 5 sts k2tog then k3
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 11/4” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using loose stitches, sew this to inside of hat.
Knitting With Chunky Wool
Using Chunky Wool will give you a much thicker toque than using Knitting Worsted Wool. It will also knit up much more quickly, as you use bigger needles and the wool is much thicker. However, it will cost you about twice as much as using Knitting Worsted wool. Be sure to use a Chunky Wool that is machine washable. Michaels Craft stores have a selection of colours. If you are new to knitting, then start by using a single colour. Stripes are an easy jump from there and when you’re feeling a little more creative then start to use some of the other patterns.
Away you go!!
Abbreviations: sts – stitches, k – knit, p- purl, beg – beginning, k2 tog- knit 2 stitches together (see learn to knit websites or videos) p2 tog- purl 2 stitches together (see learn to knit websites or videos)
Size 6 – 7
Use the instructions for size 8 – 9, except:
loosely cast on 36 sts, and work in k1p1 ribbing until the work measures 21/4″ and increase 2 sts on last row of ribbing.
Continue until work measures 7 “ from beginning ending on a purl
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k8** and repeat from * to ** to last 7 stitches k2tog then k5
Row 2 p4 *p2 tog p7**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k6** and repeat from * to ** to last 5 stitches k2tog then k3
Row 4 p2 *p2 tog p5**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k4** and repeat from * to ** to last 3 stitch k2tog then k1
Row 6 *p2 tog p3**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k2** and repeat from * to ** to last 3 stitches then k3
Row 8 p2 *p2 tog p1**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 11/4” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using loose stitches, sew this to inside of hat.
Size 8 – 9
Use size 5mm (size 8) and 6mm (size 10) needles
Using the 5mm needles, loosely cast on 40 sts and k1p1 for 21/4″ of ribbing and increase 2 sts evenly on last row of ribbing.
Change to the 6mm needles and Knit next row. Continue to knit 1 row and then purl the next row until work measures 7.5″ from beg of ribbing, ending on a purl row.
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2 tog k8** and repeat from * to ** to last 10 stitches k2tog then k8
Row 2 p7 *p2 tog p7**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2 tog k6** and repeat from * to ** to last 8 stitches k2tog then k6
Row 4 p5 *p2 tog p5**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2 tog k4** and repeat from * to ** to last 6 stitches k2tog then k4
Row 6 p3 *p2 tog p3**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2 tog k2** and repeat from * to ** to last 4 stitches k2tog then k2
Row 8 p1 *p2 tog p1**and repeat from *to ** to last 3 sts; p2 tog p1
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 11/4” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using loose stitches, sew this to inside of hat.
Size 10 – 11
Use the instructions for size 8 – 9, except:
loosely cast 42 sts and continue until work measures 8″ from beginning, ending on a purl row.
To shape top:
Row 1 k1 *k2tog k10** repeat from * to ** to last 6 sts k2tog then k4
Row 2 p3 *p2tog p9** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 3 k1 *k2tog k8** repeat from * to ** to last 4 sts k2tog then k2
Row 4 p1 *p2tog p7** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 5 k1 *k2tog k6** repeat from * to ** to last 2 sts and k2 tog
Row 6 p6 *p2tog p5** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 7 k1 *k2tog k4** repeat from * to ** to last 7 sts k2tog then k5
Row 8 p4 *p2tog p3** repeat from * to ** to last 3 sts and p2tog p1
Row 9 k1 *k2tog k2** repeat from * to ** to last 5 sts k2tog then k3
Leave remaining stitches on needle and leave a 60” strand of wool to use to sew together the back seam and to finish the bottom edge of the toque. Draw this strand through the remaining sts on the needle and then put a knot on the strand to stop the sts coming off of the strand.
To finish the bottom edge: continuing with the strand of wool used to stitch the back seam, fold over 11/4” of ribbing to wrong side of work. Using loose stitches, sew this to inside of hat.