Why wouldn’t I be posting toques in June though? Okay, yes, it’s a maybe a few months delayed to be sharing Christmas presents, but at least it’s better than spoiling the surprise. RIght?? I went a little Oprah with the toques this year. Since I didn’t have any crazy elaborate projects on the go in the fall, it allowed me to make smaller things for several loved ones.

This first pair of toques are from a pattern I’ve made before and offer a relaxing knit. I made the pink one for my niece in the child’s size. The blue one was for my goddaughter in the adult’s size. I made both slightly longer than the pattern suggests so that they’d do a better job keeping ears warm. (I had knit a pink one for my mom a couple years ago, and the length was the only thing that wasn’t perfect. She still tells me every time she wears it and gets a compliment though. Little silver fox, that one!)

Fashion is one thing, but the hats I knit have to be functional for a for-real Canadian winter. Both hats use Lion Brand Homespun yarn: the blue is the Colonial colourway, and the pink is Tulips. Yarn snobs will certainly turn up their noses at a mass-produced acrylic yarn being called “Homespun”– and they’ve got a point! – but I like it and have used it for a bunch of things. It’s warm, soft, and it holds up well to use. Practical Aunt Frances, that’s me! (Said no one of me ever, so I’ll say it about myself.)