Northern Trends Toque

Northern Trends Toque by knot•sew•cute

Project Overview

The Northern Trends Toque is an intermediate-level crochet hat pattern designed by the independent designer knot•sew•cute. This downloadable PDF pattern provides complete instructions for creating a finished hat using aran-weight yarn and a crochet hook.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a toque—a classic, close-fitting winter hat. The design incorporates textured post stitches that create visual interest and dimensional structure, making it both a functional cold-weather accessory and a stylish handmade garment.

Yarn and Materials

The Northern Trends Toque is designed to be worked with Berroco Vintage yarn in aran weight. Each skein contains 100 grams (3.5 ounces) and measures 200 meters (217 yards). The pattern calls for a 5.00 mm (size H) crochet hook. The gauge is established at 8 single crochet stitches and 9 rows measuring 5 centimeters (2 inches) in an unblocked square.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches Used

This intermediate pattern employs a variety of crochet techniques to create texture and structure:

• Chain stitch (ch) — the foundation stitch used to begin the pattern
• Single crochet (sc) — a basic short stitch that forms the gauge reference
• Double crochet (dc) — a taller stitch used throughout the design
• Slip stitch (sl st) — used to join rounds and create seamless transitions
• Front post double crochet (fpdc) — a post stitch worked around the post of a previous stitch from front to back, creating raised texture
• Back post double crochet (bpdc) — a post stitch worked around the post of a previous stitch from back to front, creating dimensional ribbing
• Front post treble crochet (fptr) — a taller post stitch created by yarning over twice before inserting the hook from front to back around the indicated stitch post, then completing the stitch through multiple draw-throughs
• Front post double crochet 2 together (fpdc2tog) — a decrease technique that combines two front post double crochets into a single stitch
• Back post double crochet 2 together (bpdc2tog) — a decrease technique that combines two back post double crochets into a single stitch

Pattern Structure

The use of post stitches—both front and back post variations—indicates that the Northern Trends Toque features ribbed or textured sections that add visual dimension and structural integrity to the finished hat. The inclusion of decrease stitches (fpdc2tog and bpdc2tog) suggests shaping at the crown to create a properly fitted toque. The pattern includes a detailed stitch legend and references additional instruction pages for post stitch techniques, making it accessible to intermediate crocheters who are comfortable with basic stitches and ready to expand their skills.