Frost Line Toque

The Frost Line Toque pattern is ideal for a beginning

knitter interested in practising stranded knitting in
the round following a charted repeat motif. The
medium-weight yarn makes this an easy weekend
project! Written instructions are provided for adult
sizes S, M and L. The toque band is cast on using the
tubular cast-on method. The top shaping involves
regular decreases started in pattern and completed
on double-pointed needles, with a simple tie-off
(pompom optional).

With climate change, frost lines are changing and

permafrost is melting. This design carries some
symbolism for me. The horizontal elements (soil/frost
lines), worked in earthy heather tones, are subjected to
bold design (human activity). Symmetry above/below
the central frost line serves to hold competing elements
(energies) in balance.

Yarn
ĺstex Léttlopi – 100% Icelandic Wool (50 g/1.76 ounces,
100 m/109 yds)
Main Colour (MC): 0005 Black Heather – 1 ball (50 g)
Contrast Colours (CC):
• 0086 Light Beige Heather – 25 g
• 9417 Dark Wine – 15 g
• 9426 Golden Heather – 10 g
• 9421 Celery Green Heather – 10 g
• 9418 Stone Blue Heather – 10 g
If substituting, select Heavy Worsted or Aran weight yarn
and compare the strand thickness/length per unit weight.

Frost Line Toque (size L)

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Frost Line Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only
Needles
4.0 mm (US 6) circular needle (40 cm)
5.0 mm (US 8) circular needle (40 cm)
1 set of double-pointed 5.0 mm (US 8) needles

Notions
stitch markers
tapestry needle
pompom maker (optional)

Gauge
20 sts and 21 rows to 10 cm (4”) in stranded stocking stitch pattern on 5.00 mm needle.
For best results, check your gauge before starting. If you have too many stitches go up a needle
size, or conversely if you have too few stitches.

Sizes
This pattern is written for adult sizes S (M, L):
• Small – average head circumference of 52 cm (20½”)
• Medium - average head circumference of 55 cm (22”)
• Large – average head circumference of 58 cm (23½”)

Instructions
Ribbing
Cast on 88 (92, 96) sts on smaller circular needle using the tubular cast-on technique, working in
k1p1 rib. This provides a nice, elastic quality to the edge. Take care not to twist your stitches. (If
you’re unfamiliar with this technique, see Suggested Tutorial below). Join to work in rounds,
placing stitch marker at end of round. Band options:
• Short band: Work another 9-10 rounds (about 2.5-4.0 cm / 1-1½”).
• Rolled band: Work another 19-20 rounds (about 6.5-8.0 cm / 2½-3½”).
Sizes S (M, L): Increase 0 (4, 0) sts evenly across last row of ribbing = 88 (96, 96) sts.
Increase Tip:
Increase 1 st by making 1 yarn over, on next round k yarn over (i.e., twisted in back loop of st) to
avoid a hole.
Body
Using larger circular needle and starting at preferred size, knit first round of Chart (p. 4), reading
from right to left; repeat 10 (11, 11) times to end of round. Continue chart as follows:
• Size S: Work to round 25. Toque measures approx. 9 cm (3½”) before top decreases.
• Size M: Work to round 28. Toque measures approx. 11.5 cm (4½”) before top decreases.
• Size L: Work to round 26. Toque measures approx. 13 cm (5”) before top decreases.

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Frost Line Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only
Note: Use the stranded knitting technique, securing floater yarn every 3-4 sts. In the sample
illustrated, I held the background colours as the dominant yarn. (If you’re unfamiliar with these
techniques, see Suggested Tutorials below).
Top Shaping
Begin top shaping on round 26 (27, 27) of Chart, at same time completing remaining rounds of
chart according to size. Finish final rows of shaping in MC. Top shaping measures 6.5 cm (2½“).
Round 1: *K6, k2tog*, repeat from * 10 (11, 11) times to end of round.
Even rounds 2 to12: K one round
Round 3: *K5, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 5: *K4, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 7: *K3, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 9: *K2, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 11: *K1, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 13: *k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round [= 11 (12, 12) sts].
Approximate finished toque depth with 4 cm (1½”) rolled band:
• Size S = 19 cm (7½”)
• Size M = 21 cm (8¼”)
• Size L = 23 cm (9”)

Finishing
Firmly tie off remaining stitches. Sew in ends. Make and attach pompom (optional).

Knitting Terms
* * repeat instructions within asterisks as directed
k knit
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
p purl
st stitch

Suggested Tutorials
Tubular Cast On:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbElPT1bCg8&list=PLA88772E260EE0C71&index=195&t=99s
How to Knit Fair Isle/ Stranded Colourwork English Style & Catch Floats:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jQ_F-7q1CeM&t=43s
How to Knit: Color Dominance 101 | Brooklyn Tweed: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xy_NKDRSuwQ

Thank you for selecting my pattern!

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Frost Line Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only
Chart

Yarn & Stitch Key

Repeat:
Rounds 1-2: K8.
Round 3: [P1, k1] 4 times.
Rounds 4-32: K8.
Round 33: [P1, k1] 4 times.
Rounds 34-35: K8.

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Frost Line Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only