High Rise Toque

High Rise Toque by Claire Jackson

What Is Being Made

The High Rise Toque is an original knitted hat design by Claire Jackson of Perfectly Knotted. This downloadable PDF pattern offers a versatile toque suitable for the entire family, with eight different size options ranging from newborn through adult large. The design features a distinctive high-rise silhouette, making it a statement piece for cold-weather wear.

Available Sizes

The High Rise Toque pattern includes the following size options, organized by head circumference measurements:

• Newborn (10–12 inch head circumference)
• 3–6 months (12–15 inch head circumference)
• 6–12 months (14–17 inch head circumference)
• Child (17–20 inch head circumference)
• Adult Small (18–22 inch head circumference)
• Adult Medium (20–23 inch head circumference)
• Adult Large (22–25 inch head circumference)

The pattern emphasizes choosing a size based on actual head measurements rather than age range, recommending sizing toward the middle of each range for an appropriately snug fit. The finished hat will be smaller in circumference when unstretched than the stated range.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The High Rise Toque is constructed using intermediate-level knitting techniques. The pattern requires working in the round, a fundamental skill for hat construction that creates a seamless, tubular fabric. Knitters will use either double-pointed needles (DPNs), circular needles with the magic loop method, or longer circular needles to accommodate the various sizes throughout the project.

The design includes decreases to shape the crown of the hat, requiring knitters to be comfortable with decrease techniques to achieve the toque's distinctive high-rise silhouette. The pattern notes that the hat's ribbing is less stretchy than standard ribbing, which affects the fit and sizing considerations.

Materials Required

Knitters will need US 11/8 mm needles in a 16-inch circular needle configuration, with the option to use DPNs or a longer circular needle for magic loop, particularly for smaller sizes and when working the hat decreases. The pattern calls for chunky-weight yarn, which works up quickly and creates a dense, warm fabric ideal for winter hat wear.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters who have mastered basic techniques like casting on, knit and purl stitches, and working in the round, but who may be building experience with more complex shaping and construction methods.