Free Hat Knitting Pattern: Nonna Rosalie’s Toque

I’m excited to say I have completed my very first self-designed knitting pattern!

I’m calling my pattern “Nonna Rosalie’s Toque”, in honor of my little Italian great-grandmother Rosalina Lombardi. Growing up, I heard stories of feisty “Little Grandma” and her bootlegging shenanigans in Denver during prohibition. She immigrated in November of 1908, stepping off a steamer in New York at the age of 15. The reality is that she likely had only a large scarf to cover her head and keep her warm. But I like to imagine her wearing a feminine and low profile head covering, more like the cloche that would become popular in the 1920’s.

With this picture in my head, I chose to create a double brim knit hat perfect for keeping the ears warm. The crown is covered in small bow knots, providing subtle pattern and texture like a vintage calico. Depending on the type of yarn you use, the texture is much more muted.

General Knitting Pattern Notes

My pattern has two sizes to accommodate most adult head sizes and different looks — beanie vs slouchy. The brim is knit in basic stockinette stitch on smaller needles. This still provides a good bit of stretch, but it won’t stretch as much as your standard ribbing. For that reason, play close attention to your gauge!

Although the two sizes I provided should cover *most* fitting needs, the stitch count can be easily adjusted by adding or subtracting in multiples of 6. Six is the number of stitches used in the bow knot texture and most of the pattern should adjust easily in that multiple. However you may need more or less crown decrease rows.

Finally, when folding the brim over and knitting into the cast on, keep these stitches on the loose side so you don’t restrict the stretch of the brim.

If you knit this in a custom size, let me know how it goes! Got other comments or questions? Send me a message!

Nonna Rosalie’s Toque – A FREE Hat Knitting Pattern!

Suggested Yarns

Any DK weight yarn that meets gauge will work! I used:

(2) Skeins Sublime Extra Fine Merino DK (size large) – 127 yards, 50g skein, colorway Cinnamon.

(1) Skein Nako Vals Lightweight (size small) – 263 yards, 100g skein, colorway Damcon

(1) Skein Premier Yarns Anti-Pilling Everday DK (size large) – 308 yards, 100g skein, colorway Cappuccino

Materials (Needles & Notions):

Size 6 US (4.0 mm) 16” circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Size 7 US (4.5mm) 16” circular needle (or size needed to obtain gauge)
Stitch marker
Tapestry Needle

Gauge

22 sts and 35 rows = 4 inches. Stockinette Stitch in the round on smaller (US 6) needles.

Measurements/Size:

Small – 17.5 inches brim circumference unstretched. Fits heads up to 21.5”.
Large – 19 inches brim circumference unstretched. Fits heads up to 24”.

Abbreviations:

K: knit
P: purl
K2tog: knit 2 stitches together as if they were one
CO: cast on
BO: bind off
K1B: knit into the stitch below

Knitting Pattern Companion Video

I created a video demonstrating the brim connection, basic pattern repeat and the decrease rounds. If you’re unsure how a stitch is worked, try watching this help video!

Nonna Rosalie’s Toque Pattern Instructions

Brim:

Cast on 90 [108] stitches with long tail cast on or any stretchy cast on method using smaller size needle (6 US).

Place marker and join to knit in the round.

Round 1: Knit all stitches.

Repeat round until work measures 5.5” to 6“ (or desired length). Actual brim length will be half of this value once it is folded – 2.75” to 3”.

Fold cast on edge inward and up towards working stitches. Find first stitch of cast on (look for the tail!) and line up with first stitch of new round. Insert needle into the first stitch as if to knit. Then insert tip into first stitch of cast on. Knit these two together as one stitch.

K2tog next active stitch with corresponding cast on stitch. Repeat around.

Brim is now joined.

Body:

Round 1: Knit all stitches. First iteration of this row is done on US 6 (smaller needle).

Change to larger needles (US 7).

Round 2: Knit all stitches.

Round 3: *P3, K3 *repeat around.

Round 4: *P1, Knit into next stitch in the row below (K1B), P1, K3 * repeat around.

Round 5 & 6: Knit around.

Round 7: *K3, P3 * repeat around.

Round 8: *K3, P1, Knit into next stitch in the row below (K1B), P1 * repeat around.

Repeat rows 1-8 on US 7 (larger needles) 3 more times, for a total of four repeats. Overall hat depth should be between 7” – 7.5” or desired length.

Crown Decreases:

Round 1 & 2: Knit around.

Round 3: *P3, K3 * repeat around.

Round 4: * P1, K1B, P1, K2tgo, K1 * repeat around – 75 [90] sts remain.

Round 5: K around.

Round 6: *K3, K2tog * around – 60 [72] sts remain.

Round 7: K around.

Round 8: Remove marker, slip next stitch, replace marker for new beginning of round.

* K1, K2tog and return to left needle. Slip next stitch over top and return to right needle. *
Repeat around – 30 [36] sts remain.

Round 9: K all.

Round 10: *P3, K3 * repeat around.

Round 11: * P1, K1B, P1, K2tog and return to left needle. Slip next stitch over top and return to right needle * repeat around – 20sts remain.

Round 12: K all.

Round 13: Remove marker, slip next stitch, replace marker for new beginning of round.

*K1, K2tog and return to left needle. Slip next stitch over top and return to right needle. * Repeat around – 10 [12] sts remain.

Round 14: K around one final time.

Finishing:

Cut 8” tail and thread tail through remaining live stitches and fasten off.

Block hat to measurements. Weave in ends.

I hope you like this pattern and I’d love to know if you make one! Share it with me on Instagram and tag me @TheBudgetYarnReviews. Please give me a follow as well, I’m BRAND new on IG!

Update May 18, 2020

A printer friendly version of Nonna Rosalie’s Toque is now available on LoveCrafts! It can be added to your pattern library for free!