Considering that this hat was a Christmas present, this post is long overdue! I pretty much didn’t make the Christmas deadline though, so maybe this procrastination was to be expected.

• 1 skein of Estelle Yarns Alpaca Merino Worsted (colour A: Hunter Green)
• 1/10 skein of Estelle Yarns Alpaca Merino Worsted (colour B: Black)
• Size G (4.00 mm) hook

Pattern by tick-tock hobbies

(abbreviations: SC = single crochet; DC = double crochet, DEC = one double crochet over two stitches)

1. Using colour A, chain-ninety* and slip stitch to the beginning stitch to form a circle. (90 stitches) *This made for a toque that was quite snug. In hindsight, I would recommend a higher stitch count with a multiple of nine, like 99 or 108, since the cables tend to make this hat a bit smaller than it initially seems.
2. Chain-one. Starting in the second stitch from the hook, SC in each stitch around the circle. The rest of this pattern will be worked in the round without joining at the end of rows.  (90 stitches)
3. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, *do three DC. Skip three stitches. After the skipped stitches, do three DC. Return to the skipped stitches and do three DC that are worked over the existing stitches.* Repeat from * to * nine more times. (90 stitches)
4. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, DC in each stitch across the circle. (90 stitches)
5. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the sixth stitch from the hook, *do three DC. Return to the skipped stitches (not counting the chains) and do three DC that are worked underneath the existing stitches. Do another three DC starting on the next unworked stitches.* Repeat from * to * nine more times. (90 stitches)
6. Repeat step 4.
7. Repeat steps 3 to 6 four more times.
8. Switch to colour B and chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, *do one DC then a DEC. Skip three stitches. After the skipped stitches, do one DC then a DEC. Return to the skipped stitches and do one DC and a DEC that are worked over the existing stitches.* Repeat from * to * nine more times. (60 stitches)
9. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, DC in each stitch across the circle. (60 stitches)
10. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Start in the fifth and sixth stitch from the hook and *do a DEC. Return to the skipped stitches (not counting the chains) and do a DEC that is worked underneath the existing stitch. Do another DEC over the next two unworked stitches.* Repeat from * to * nine more times. (30 stitches)
11. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, DC in each stitch across the circle. (30 stitches)
12. Chain-two. This will not count as DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, *DC, then DEC.* Repeat from * to * nine more times. (20 stitches)
13. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. DEC across the circle. Cut the yarn and leave a long tail for weaving tight. (10 stitches)

EARFLAPS

1. Working into the stitches of the first row of the toque, chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third stitch from the hook, do eighteen DC. (18 stitches)
2. Repeat step 1, except no longer into the first row of the toque. (18 stitches)
3. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third and fourth stitch from the hook, do a DEC. Do fourteen DC. End the row with a DEC. (16 stitches)
4. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third and fourth stitch from the hook, do a DEC. Do twelve DC. End the row with a DEC. (14 stitches)
5. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third and fourth stitch from the hook, do a DEC. Do ten DC. End the row with a DEC. (12 stitches)
6. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third and fourth stitch from the hook, do a DEC. Do eight DC. End the row with a DEC. (10 stitches)
7. Chain-two. This will not count as a DC in this row. Starting in the third and fourth stitch from the hook, do a DEC. Do six DC. End the row with a DEC. Cut the yarn and weave in ends. (8 stitches)
8. Repeat steps 1 to 7 on the other side of the toque to create another earflap.
9. Optional: Create long braided tassels by cutting six pieces of yarn that are approximately 30cm long. Thread this through the bottom of the earflap so that half of the length of yarn is on one side, and the remainder is on the other side. Braid as usual.

I think my biggest regret with this hat is the fact that it ended up being so snug. I always underestimate how much tighter cables will be once worked up, and that was almost fatal in this case. Still, my brother is a good sport, and he says that he’ll just stretch it out with his head.

I’m not sure if I’m cut out for this homemade Christmas present life — the scramble at the end was crazy this year! I think if I plan ahead though, it should be a lot more manageable. What do you think? Do you typically make or buy gifts?

Until next time, happy crafting!

This pattern is an original pattern by June Cheung at Tick-Tock Hobbies – please do not claim this pattern as your own or reprint it on another site or any other format. If you want to share this pattern (and I’d love it if you do!), just link to this pattern and give me the proper credit. You may keep a copy of the pattern for your own personal use, but please DO NOT sell this pattern. Permission is NOT granted for any finished products to be sold for profit, or for mass production, or for factory manufacturing of any kind. Thank you so much for your respect and understanding!