You know how some knitting patterns are referred to as “mindless” and thus suitable for TV knitting? I don’t get that. I understand what it means, but I don’t get why one would not want to get as much enjoyment out of every stitch as possible, without the distraction of watching TV. Mindful knitting over mindless knitting, which leads to truly emptying your mind of all distractions. Mind blown.

The Zen Garden Toque {along with the Zen Garden Cowl} - is an invitation to be fully in the moment with your knitting with a pattern that is simple, engaging, and creates a canvas that lets you indulge in even more mindfulness when you embroider it.

You will get about 8 hours of knitting enjoyment and three hours of embroidering enjoyment out of this pattern.

Construction
The Zen Garden Toque is knit with DK weight yarn in the round from (long, foldable) brim to crown with lateral braid, cables, and twisted rib design elements. The finishing touch is added with embroidery to mimic zen garden rake lines.

Size
Available in three sizes: adult S, M, and L with a finished circumference of 17 (19, 21.5)” / 43 (48, 55) cm. To be worn with negative ease from 1-3” (2-5 cm).

Yarn and Yardage
All Points North Divine DK 100 g (3.5 oz) / 235 yds (215 m); 100% superwash fine merino; DK weight in Grizzly; 1/2 skein(s), 100 (115, 130) g, 235 (270, 305) yds / 215 (247, 279) m.
For embroidery:
Cascade 220 Fingering 50g (1.76 oz) / 273 yds (250 m); 100% wool, fingering weight in Colour 8010; 18 yards (16.5 m) used for sample (adult size M)

*please note that you need 235 - 305 yards of DK weight yarn for the hat (depending on size), plus yarn for embroidery*

Needles and Notions
US3 / 3.25 mm circular needles, 16” (40cm) length recommended for ribbing. US5 / 3.75 mm circular needles, 16” (40 cm) length recommended for toque body.
US5 / 3.75 mm double point needles or longer circular needles (magic loop) for crown. Cable needle.
Stitch marker to mark beginning of round; optional: 6 (7, 8) additional stitch markers to mark beginning of each chart repeat; it is helpful if the BOR stitch marker is different from the others.
Tapestry needle for embroidering and weaving in ends. Sticky Fabri-Solvy (printable) as stabilizer for the embroidery.

Gauge
32 sts and 32 rows in pattern, in the round, after blocking = 4” / 10cm, with main needle (US5)

Notes
You might find this tutorial helpful: https://youtu.be/j0CZwErIzaI It shows how to knit a lateral braid in the round without a jog. (The description in the stitch guide will leave the braid a bit offset, but I don’t mind that.)
Keep a close eye on your gauge when knitting the lateral braid, switch to a smaller needle if needed. I knitted the lateral braids with the US 3 needle.

This pattern has been tech edited.