Gabrielle Toque

Gabrielle Toque by Wanded Knit and Crochet

What is Being Made

The Gabrielle Toque is a knitted hat designed by Jenny Noto of Wanded Knit and Crochet. This toque is inspired by the character Gabrielle, described as the younger sister of Fleur, and is crafted to be a breathtakingly beautiful hat with a dazzling finish. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is suitable for knitters with advanced beginner to intermediate skill levels.

Yarn Weight Options and Yardage Requirements

The Gabrielle Toque pattern accommodates multiple yarn weights to suit different preferences and desired finished sizes:

• Super Bulky Yarn (Weight 6): Approximately 75 to 87 yards
• Bulky Yarn (Weight 5): Approximately 90 to 100 yards
• Light Bulky Yarn: Approximately 110 to 120 yards

The pattern recommends specific yarn brands including Malabrigo Rasta, Manos del Uruguay Franca, Malabrigo Mecha, and Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine, though any yarn of the appropriate weight can be substituted.

Needles and Tools Required

The Gabrielle Toque pattern requires multiple needle sizes to accommodate the different yarn weights and construction techniques:

• US 11 / 8mm 16-inch circular needles
• US 10 / 6mm 16-inch circular needles
• US 13 / 9mm 16-inch circular needles and/or double-pointed needles
• US 15 / 10mm 16-inch circular needles and/or double-pointed needles (alternative option)

The use of both circular needles and double-pointed needles allows knitters flexibility in their preferred construction method, whether working in the round on circulars or transitioning to dpns for the crown decreases.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Gabrielle Toque employs classic hat construction techniques suitable for an advanced beginner knitter. The pattern utilizes in-the-round knitting on circular needles, a fundamental method for creating seamless, tubular garments. As the crown of the hat narrows, knitters transition to double-pointed needles or continue with smaller circular needles, depending on their preference and the needle options provided in the pattern.

The multiple needle size requirements indicate that the pattern likely incorporates ribbed cuffs or textured stitch patterns that benefit from smaller needles to create elasticity and definition, followed by larger needles for the main body of the toque to showcase the yarn's texture and drape.

Yarn Characteristics and Material Considerations

The recommended yarn selections—Malabrigo Rasta, Manos del Uruguay Franca, Malabrigo Mecha, and Juniper Moon Farm Moonshine—are premium, natural-fiber yarns known for their beautiful color ranges and luxurious feel. These bulky and super bulky weight yarns work up quickly, making the Gabrielle Toque an efficient project that can be completed in a relatively short timeframe despite the intermediate skill level required.

The generous yardage range (75 to 120 yards depending on yarn weight) means that this toque is an excellent project for using yarn from stash or for purchasing a single skein of premium yarn without significant leftover yardage.

Skill Level and Pattern Difficulty

Designated as an Advanced Beginner pattern, the Gabrielle Toque is appropriate for knitters who have mastered basic knitting fundamentals and are ready to tackle in-the-round construction and simple shaping techniques. The pattern assumes familiarity with cast-on methods, basic stitches, and the ability to follow written instructions with some guidance.