Description: Using the simple, yet intricate looking mermaid stitch, this textured pattern adds a little somethin’ to your wardrobe. Since this toque is knit with one strand of fingering weight yarn held double with suri alpaca, there is a little added texture and warmth to this accessory. Be your own snow mermaid with this beautiful toque!

This pattern is worked in the round, bottom up (brim to crown), in a repeating pattern. To increase or decrease the circumference of the hat, cast on multiples of four stitches. Switch to DPNs during the decrease as the circumference of the crown gets smaller to make knitting easier.

Method: knitting

Skill Level: advanced beginner

Yarn: Fingering weight sock yarn held double with lace weight alpaca suri.

For my sample I use 85/15 sock yarn in Andes Mint and alpaca suri lace in Ocean Eyes, both from Bramble Ridge Hand Dyed Yarn.

Yardage: 50 g fingering weight yarn, 25 g lace weight yarn like alpaca suri or mohair.

Needles: US2.5 (3 mm) circular needles for the brim, US4 (3.5 mm) circular needles for the body of the toque, US4 (3.5 mm) DPNs for decreasing the crown.

Approx. Gauge: 25 sts x 26 rows in mermaid st pattern, 29 sts x 18 rows in 1x1 ribbing (not stretched), neither washed nor blocked.

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker.

Sizes: 1 (2) have 88 (96) sts cast on and the brim 14 (16) cm or 5.5 (6.5) in.

Abbreviations:

c/o - cast on
sts - stitches
k - knit
p - purl
wyif - with yarn in front
wyib - with yarn in back
k2tog - knit two together
k3tog - knit three together
tbl - through back loop
sl - slip
BOR - beginning of round
DPN - double pointed needle