It’s Snowing Toque

This toque is knit in rounds, involving stranded knitting and

colour dominance techniques. The band is cast on using the
tubular cast-on method. The top is decreased evenly on
double-pointed needles (pompom optional). Size adult M/L.

I love how the soft, subtly variegated tonalities of the wool

suggest the dense, overcast sky one sees when it’s about to
snow. Suddenly, the sky bursts open and large snowflakes
begin to fall to the ground. When I started knitting this toque,
the snow was “raining” down vertically outside my window!

Yarn
I recommend a soft spun DK wool or wool blend (hand-dyed or machine-variegated), one that enables
you to capture the subtle gradations of a moody, winter sky. Both of these suggestions work well:
1. Tosh DK - 100% Superwash Merino Wool (205 m/225 yds)
• Main Colour (MC) - 1 skein (100 g) - Dead Calm
• Contrast Colour (CC) - 1 skein (100 g) - Paper
2. Rowan Tapestry - 70% Wool, 30% Manufactured Fibers - Soy Silk (120 m/131 yds)
• MC - 1 ball (50 g.) – SH 175
Bergère de France Mérinos 4 - 100% Merino Wool (135 m/147 yds)
• CC - 1 ball (50 g.) - Ecru
For a smaller size, you might like to substitute DK with Sport weight yarn; conversely for a larger size,
Light Worsted weight yarn.

Needles
3.50 mm (US 4) circular needle (40 cm)
3.75 mm (US 5) circular needle (40 cm)
1 set of double-pointed 3.75 mm (US 5) needles

Notions
stitch markers
tapestry needle
fur-type pompom (optional)

Gauge
25 sts and 24 rows to 10 cm (4”) in stocking stitch pattern on 3.75 needle
For best results, be sure to check your gauge before starting.

|1
It’s Snowing Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only
Size (Adult M/L)
This pattern is written for a head circumference of approximately 55 cm (22”) with negative ease of about
2.5 cm (1”). For a slightly smaller (larger) head circumference, reduce (increase) your needle by 1 size.

Instructions
Ribbing
Cast on 120 sts on smaller circular needle using the tubular cast-on technique. This produces a soft,
elastic quality to the edge - and a nicely snug fit. Take care not to twist stitches. (If you’re unfamiliar with
this technique, see Suggested Tutorials below.)
Place stitch marker to indicate end of round. Work in k1, p1 for about 2.5 cm (1”) (= 10 rows).
Body
Using larger circular needle, knit row 1 of chart reading from right to left (p. 3); repeat twice to end of
round (= 3 chart repeats per round). Place stitch marker after each pattern repeat. Knit rows 1 – 37 once.
Important: Use the stranded knitting technique, securing floater yarn every 3-4 sts (max.) uniformly
across the round, taking care to alternate the location where the floater yarn is secured in the following
round. In the sample illustrated, I held the MC as the dominant yarn, CC as the background yarn. (If you’re
unfamiliar with these techniques, see Suggested Tutorials below.)
Top Shaping
Round 1: *K8, k2tog*, repeat from * 11 times (11x) to end of round.
Even rounds 2 to12: K one round
Round 3: *K7, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 5: *K6, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 7: *K5, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 9: *K4, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 11: *K3, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 13: *K2, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 14: *K1, k2tog*, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 15: *K2tog*, repeat from * to end of round (= 14 sts). Approx. toque length = 22.5 cm (9”)

Finishing
Firmly tie off remaining stitches. Sew in ends. 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. Enjoy your new toque and stay warm!
|2
It’s Snowing Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only
Chart

Rounds 1-37: *K40* sts, repeat from * twice per round.

|3
It’s Snowing Toque © Adèle Hempel 2022 Pattern for private use only