Lorica's Spring Toque

This is a variant of a hat I came up with several months ago.  I like this version much better and it's drawn some immediate interest on Ravelry so I am feeling pretty good about it.  The inspiration for this design came from my cousin's two little girls, who both love pink and purple and all things ruffly, lacy, and girly.  They've just moved to the Las Vegas area so cotton seemed the best choice of yarn.  It does get cool enough in the evenings in the desert to warrant a light weight hat during the winter months so I am hoping these do the trick. 

I used a Peaches & Creme ombre to make these and I just love how the yarn's color pooling worked out into a candy stripe effect.  I did one in pink and the other in purple.  The girls can, or perhaps my cousin should, decide who gets which color.  For those who are interested but don't knit, I will be making more of these for sale in my Etsy shop but I am certainly able to take custom orders for color requests. 

Note: I have test knit this pattern 3 times; however, I have not had a second set of eyes or hands review or test knit it yet. So if you find an error or if something is not clear in the instructions, please let me know so that I correct and/or improve the pattern.

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Lorica's Spring Toque

You will need:

• 29-in circular needles US #7 (or size to obtain gauge)
• 16-in circular needles US #7 (or size to obtain gauge)
• Set of 4 DPNs US #7 (or size to obtain gauge)
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker

Yarn:  Worsted weight yarn (~150 yards) Samples pictured here were made with Peaches & Creme #183 Lilac Ombre and #144 Strbry Cream by Pisgah Yarn & Dyeing Co., Inc. - 100% cotton)

Gauge: 4 1/2 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch on US#7 needles

Size: 0-6 months (6-12 months, 1-2 years, 2 years+)

Pattern:
Beginning and Ruffled Brim:

Cast on 256 (288, 320, 352) stitches using the 29-inch circular needles.  Mark the beginning of the round with the stitch marker and join the ends of the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

• Round 1 - K2tog to the end of the round. 128 (144, 160, 176) stitches remain.
• Round 2 - Switch to 16-inch circular needles.  K2tog to the end of the round. 64 (72, 80, 88) stitches remain.



Close-up of the lace pattern

• Round 3 - Knit all stitches.

Lace Pattern:

Begin the lace pattern knitting as follows:

• Round 4 - *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round.
• Round 5 - Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rounds 4 and 5 until piece measures 5 (5.5, 6, 6.5) inches from the start of the lace pattern knit.

Decrease Sequence:
Begin decreasing as follows:

• Round 1 - *YO, K2tog, YO, K2tog, YO, K2tog, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round. 56 (63, 70, 77) stitches remain.
• Round 2 - *K5, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round. 48 (54, 60, 66) stitches remain.
• Round 3 - *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round.
• Round 4 - Knit all stitches.
• Round 5 - Switch to DPNs.  *YO, K2tog, YO, K2tog, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round. 40 (45, 50, 55) stitches remain.
• Round 6 - *K3, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round. 32 (36, 40, 44) stitches remain.
• Round 7 - *YO, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round.
• Round 8 - Knit all stitches.
• Round 9 - *YO, K2tog, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round. 24 (27, 30, 33) stitches remain.



Close-up if finished decrease sequence

• Round 10 - *K1, K2tog, repeat from * to the end of the round. 16 (18, 20, 22) stitches remain.
• Round 11 - K2tog, repeat to the end of the round. 8 (9, 10, 11) stitches remain.

Finishing:

Cut yarn leaving a 5 inch tail.  Thread tail onto yarn needle and pull it through the remaining stitches.  Pull tight to close ring completely.  Thread the tail to the inside of the hat and weave the end.  Weave the end at the cast on edge.