The Thicket Toque is a unisex, close fitting hat which uses a twisted stitch pattern inspired by the twist and tumble of blackberry vines. It’s the perfect sort of hat for a long walk on a chilly autumn day! The pattern includes both charts and line-by-line written instructions, as well as instructions for working the stitch pattern with and without a cable needle.

The green sample toque is a size large, and was knit with Ancient Arts Fibre Crafts’ 100% Superwash Merino DK in the Sagebrush colourway. The brown sample toque is a size extra-large, and was knit with Fiddlehead Farm’s natural Shetland/Romney DK yarn.

Skill level
Intermediate

Sizes
XS (S, M, L, XL) to fit head circumferences of 14”/36 cm (16”/41 cm, 18”/46 cm, 21”/53 cm, 23”/58 cm).
Finished Hat Circumference: 13”/33 cm (14.5”/37 cm, 16.5”/42 cm, 18.5”/47 cm, 22”/56 cm)
Finished Hat Height: 5.5”/14 cm, (7”/18 cm, 8”/20 cm, 8.5”/22 cm, 9”/23 cm)

Yarn Requirements (DK weight yarn)
XS - 125 yards/115 metres
S - 150 yards/137 metres
M - 175 yards/160 metres
L - 225 yards/206 metres
XL - 250 yards/229 metres

Needles:
3.5 mm (US 4) 16” (40 cm) circular needles for ribbing, or size required to get gauge.
3.5 mm (US 4) double-point needles for ribbing (for size XS and S only), or size required to get gauge.
4 mm (US 6) 16” (40 cm) circular needles for the hat body, or size required to get gauge.
4 mm (US 6) double-point needles for the crown (and for size XS and S body and crown), or size required to get gauge.
Optional: 3.75 (US 5) straight needles for working the Tillybuddy cast-on (see note below).
Optional: cable needle for working the twists

Notions:
1 stitch marker
tapestry needle

Gauge
1 x 1 Ribbing: 26 sts and 32 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) on 3.75 mm (US 5) needles (lightly blocked)
Briar Twist pattern: 26 sts and 36 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) on 4 mm (US 6) needles (lightly blocked)