You know that perfect toque — the one that actually keeps your ears warm, doesn’t slide off the second you turn your head, and somehow makes your whole outfit look intentional? The Lansdowne Toque delivers exactly that in crochet form. It’s textured, it has personality, and it works up faster than you’d expect for something this polished.
Why This Toque Stands Out From the Crowd
Most beanies either look homemade in the wrong way or sit like a sad pancake on your head. The Lansdowne Toque uses simple post stitches to create a fabric with real structure and subtle texture that reads as intentional rather than basic.
It also has that perfect slouch without being sloppy. The ribbed brim folds up nicely and actually stays where you put it. And because it’s worked in the round from the bottom up, you get to watch the hat grow and shape itself with almost no sewing at the end.
Plus it’s one of those projects that feels satisfying in your hands. The texture builds quickly and gives you that “I made this” moment every time you try it on.
What You’ll Need to Hook One Up
You don’t need fancy yarn or special tools for this one. Grab these basics and you’re good:
- Yarn: Worsted weight (category 4) — about 150–180g. A nice wool blend or acrylic with some body works great. I used a deep forest green and it looked sharp.
- Hook: 5mm (H-8) or 5.5mm depending on your tension. Go down half a size if your stitches run loose.
- Other stuff: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, scissors, and a pompom maker (or just your hand for a DIY fluffy topper).
FYI, this pattern is very forgiving with yarn weight. If you only have DK or chunky, just adjust your hook size and the number of rounds until it fits.
The Ribbed Brim — Where the Magic Starts
The brim is what makes this toque actually wearable instead of decorative. We’re using front post and back post double crochet to create a stretchy, professional-looking rib that hugs your head without feeling tight.
Start by chaining a multiple of 4 that fits comfortably around your head (usually 72–80 chains for an average adult). Join with a slip stitch, being careful not to twist. Then work rounds of alternating fpdc and bpdc. It creates that classic ribbed look with built-in elasticity.
Do about 8–10 rounds of this ribbing. Fold it up as you go to check the height — you want it tall enough to cover your ears but not so tall it looks like a turtleneck for your forehead.
Building the Textured Body
Once the brim feels right, we switch into the main texture. This is where the Lansdowne Toque gets its character.
The body uses a simple repeating pattern of front post double crochets that create raised “cable-like” lines without actual cabling. It’s much easier than it looks and grows surprisingly fast.
Work even rounds (no increases or decreases) until the hat measures about 7–8 inches from the brim fold. The texture really pops here and gives the hat that structured, expensive look.
Pro Tip for Clean Texture
Keep your tension even on the post stitches. If you pull too tight the fabric gets stiff. If you’re too loose it can look sloppy. A relaxed but consistent hand gives you that beautiful raised definition without fighting the yarn.
Shaping the Crown Without the Headache
This is the part that scares some people, but it’s actually straightforward once you understand the rhythm.
You’ll start decreasing every few stitches, working the decreases into the texture so it still looks intentional. Continue decreasing gradually over 5–7 rounds until you have a small opening at the top (usually 8–12 stitches left).
Fasten off, thread the tail through the remaining stitches, and pull tight. Weave in the end securely on the inside. No weird lumps or pointy tops if you space the decreases evenly.
Finishing Touches and Making It Yours
The pompom is optional but highly recommended. A big fluffy one in a contrasting color or matching yarn makes the whole hat feel complete and playful.
You can also skip the pompom for a more minimalist look or add a small leather tag with your initials if you’re feeling extra. Some people embroider a tiny motif on the brim too.
This pattern is easy to customize for different sizes — just add or subtract chains in multiples of 4 for the brim and adjust the body height accordingly. It also looks great in stripes or with a color-blocked brim if you want to use up scraps.
FAQ’s
How long does the Lansdowne Toque take to make?
Most people finish it in one cozy evening or a long afternoon. The brim takes the longest because of the post stitches, but once you hit the body it moves quickly. Total time is usually 3–5 hours depending on your speed.
Can beginners make this pattern?
Yes, if you’re comfortable with double crochet and have tried post stitches before. The technique is simple once you get the rhythm of fpdc and bpdc. Total beginners might want to practice a small swatch of the rib first.
What if my hat comes out too big or too small?
Check your gauge on the brim. If it’s stretching too much, go down a hook size. If it’s too tight, go up. You can also add or remove a few chains at the beginning since everything is in multiples of 4.
Do I have to add a pompom?
Nope. The hat looks great without one — more modern and clean. The pompom is just for extra personality. If you skip it, weave the crown end in extra securely so it stays flat.
Can I sell hats made from this pattern?
Absolutely. This is a free pattern for personal and small commercial use. Just don’t sell or share the pattern itself. Tag your makes if you want — I love seeing different colorways and pompom choices.
What’s the best yarn for this toque?
Anything with good stitch definition and a bit of memory works well. Wool blends, merino, or even good quality acrylic all turn out nicely. Avoid super soft fluffy yarns because the texture gets lost.
Go Make Yourself a Proper Toque
There’s something deeply satisfying about pulling on a hat you actually made that fits right and looks good. The Lansdowne Toque gives you that feeling without requiring advanced skills or a million hours.
Hook one up this weekend. Try it in your favorite color, add the pompom or skip it, wear it slouchy or with the brim folded. Either way you’ll end up with something warm, stylish, and completely yours.
Now go grab that yarn. Your ears will thank you
