If I’m being completely honest, I wanted to name this toque the EGGHEAD toque, what with the egg yolk-y yellow and the cream coloured whites. Still, I wanted to stick with my convention of naming all accessories after different times, so I compromised with BREAKFAST.

• 2/5 skein of Quince and Co. Puffin – a bulky weight (5) yarn (above colour A: Carrie’s Yellow)
• 3/5 skein of Quince and Co. Puffin – a bulky weight (5) yarn (above colour B: Egret)
• Size K (6.50 mm) hook

Pattern by tick-tock hobbies

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

BRIM

1. Starting with colour A, chain-9. Starting in the second stitch from the hook, do eight SC across the row. (8 stitches)
2. Chain-one and turn. Starting in the second stitch from the hook, do eight SC across the row while working in the back loop only. (8 stitches)
3. Repeat step 2 fifty-three more times. (8 stitches)
4. Chain-one and turn. Fold the brim in half, and use slip stitches to join the two ends together. Cut the yarn and leave a tail for weaving in.

HAT

1. Switch to colour B and attach it to the brim by using a chain-one. Do fifty-five SC around the brim. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first SC of the row. (55 stitches)
2. Chain-two, then do a DC into the same stitch. Do fifty-four more DC around the row. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first DC of the row. (55 stitches)
3. Chain-one, then do a SC into the same stitch. Do fifty-four more SC around the row. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first SC of the row. (55 stitches)
4. Chain-two, then do a DC into the same stitch. Do a DC into the next two stitches, then do a DEC over the next two stitches. *Do a DC into the next three stitches, then do a DEC over the following two stitches.* Repeat from * to * eight more times. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first DC of the row. (44 stitches)
5. Chain-one, then do a SC into the same stitch. Do forty-three more SC around the row. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first SC of the row. (44 stitches)
6. Chain-two, then do a DC into the same stitch. Do a DC into the next eight stitches, then do a DEC over the next two stitches. *Do a DC into the next nine stitches, then do a DEC over the following two stitches.* Repeat from * to * two more times. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first DC of the row. (40 stitches)
7. Chain-one, then do a SC into the same stitch. Do thirty-nine more SC around the row. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first SC of the row. (40 stitches)
8. Chain-two, then do a DC into the same stitch. Do a DC into the next stitch, then do a DEC over the next two stitches. *Do a DC into the next two stitches, then do a DEC over the following two stitches.* Repeat from * to * eight more times. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first DC of the row. (30 stitches)
9. Chain-one, then do a SC into the same stitch. Do twenty-nine more SC around the row. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first SC of the row. (30 stitches)
10. Chain-two, then do a DC into the same stitch. Do a DC into the next two stitches, then do a DEC over the next two stitches. *Do a DC into the next three stitches, then do a DEC over the following two stitches.* Repeat from * to * four more times. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first DC of the row. (24 stitches)
11. Chain-one, then do a SC into the same stitch. Do a SC in the next stitch, then do a DEC over the next two stitches. *Do a SC in the next two stitches, then do a DEC over the following two stitches.* Repeat from * to * four more times. At the end of the circle, slip stitch into the top of the first SC of the row. (18 stitches)
12. Chain-two, then do a DC into the same stitch. Do a DEC over the next two stitches. *Do a DC in the next stitch, and then do a DEC over the following two stitches.* Repeat from * to * four more times. (12 stitches)
13. Chain-two, then do a DEC that includes the same stitch. Do five more DEC around the circle. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends. (6 stitches)
14. Optional — Cut yarn in colour A and colour B to make a large pom-pom!

If you know me, or if you’ve read my blog for a while, you’d know that I’m not the biggest fan of pom-poms, and yet this toque absolutely called for one to finish it off. Part of the secret to creating a beautiful pom-pom is making sure that is fat and full. Limp pom-poms make for sad pom-poms, and you can quote me on that.

I ended up giving this toque away as a gift as well, and I hope that it keeps someone warm in the upcoming winter. If I’m being honest, this is not the softest or squishiest yarn, but it certainly is warm. If anyone has a sensitivity to wool or coarser fabrics, I wouldn’t recommend choosing this yarn from Quince and Co., although I do have to admit that the colours are absolutely beautiful. Hopefully, the family I gave it to can enjoy it without getting any annoying scratchy feelings.

Don’t you think that this hat is reminiscent of an egg though? Can you see the resemblance? It’s so interesting how simple colour patterns can be so strongly tied to memories and concepts.

Until next time, happy crafting!