Introducing the Dissent Toque
Andrea wearing Dissent Toque in Lettlopi.
The Story
This hat is the third pattern in a series inspired by the late U.S. Supreme Court Justice, Ruth Bader Ginsburg and her powerful accessories. (Dissent and Dissent Pullover are the other two, both sweaters.) I designed it thinking that it would be a more approachable Dissent project requiring a little less commitment than a whole colourwork sweater. I had in mind that folks could also use it as preparation for a sweater project:
Use it as a swatch for either the fingering or worsted weight since the gauges match the sweater gauges
Get the hang of the colourwork pattern, especially if it’s a new challenge
Confirm that they really do like the the yarns they chose
While I was working on this design, I didn’t prepared myself at all for the fact that Justice Ginsburg could die. I know that’s not reasonable given the reality of her age, but I think I just wasn’t ready to face what it would mean for her to be gone. No one is without flaws, but I admire a lot about her and found her jabots to be a powerful statement that spoke to me emotionally and politically. As she said, “Women belong in all places where decisions are being made.” I admire that she didn’t tamp down her femininity to be in those places.
I’m humbled by everyone who has resonated with these patterns and I hope that they are one avenue for solidarity.
The Details
Dissent Toque is a colourwork hat with instructions for both fingering and worsted weights, sized from baby to grownup, and given in two styles — beanie and slouchy.
The pattern includes:
Print-friendly pattern: All the vital instructions are together without any photos, so you can print out just the text and charts. There’s info in the “Notes” section on printing so you know exactly what to do. Every page has the pattern name and page number in case your pages get shuffled and printing works in both colour and black & white. The text is black, not grey.
Skills listed: I include a note about pattern difficulty & the skills used within the pattern. That info is in the pattern listing too.
Lots of images: High quality photos show five hat samples in different sizes and styles.
Extras: Lots of info on fit (including a detailed schematic), yarn choice, colourwork, and more are included in the Notes section of the pattern, including links to tutorials. I also included two chart versions in the pattern — one for using if your main colour is light and one for using if your main colour is dark.
Yarn Options: I knit my samples in five different yarns so you could get an idea of how it works up with different styles of yarn and to encourage you to try yarns you love, ones that are within your budget, or something new, like the ones I used. The pattern includes information about each yarn choice I made.
You can find tutorials and lots of info about the sweaters through this Dissent Tutorial Roundup.
Get the pattern here on my website or over on Ravelry if you'd like to keep it in your Rav library.
Pattern Specs
The first five numbers indicate fingering weight yarn. The second 3 numbers indicate worsted weight yarn.
Finished Dimensions
Brim Circumference:
15.5(17.5, 19.5, 21.25, 23)(16.75, 19.5, 22.5) in/ 39.5(44.5, 49.5, 54, 58.5)(42.5, 49.5, 57) cm
Yarn
Both Beanie & Slouchy Styles
Contrast Colour:
44(55, 65, 77, 96)(39, 48, 60) yd
40(50, 60, 70, 87)(36, 44, 55) m
Beanie
Main Colour:
62(72, 75, 81, 90)(51, 60, 69) yd
57(66, 69, 74, 82)(46, 55, 63) m
Slouchy
Main Colour:
72(88, 110, 132, 160)(66, 83, 110) yd
65(80, 101, 121, 146)(60, 75, 101) m
Blocked Gauge
Gauge measurement should be taken after blocking.
Fingering Weight Version
29 sts/40 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in plain St st with smaller needle
29 sts/36 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in colourwork with larger needle
Worsted Weight Version
20 sts/30 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in plain St st with smaller needle
20 sts/24 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in colourwork with larger needle
Needles
Needle Sizes are recommendations only. Always use needle size necessary to obtain gauge.
16 in/40 cm circular needles:
Fingering weight version:
Suggested Size: US 2/2.75 mm
Suggested Size (colourwork): US 4/3.5 mm
Worsted weight version:
Suggested Size: US 6/4 mm
Suggested Size (colourwork): US 9/5.5 mm
Set DPN’s, long circular needle for magic loop, or two circular needles (preferred small-circumference knitting method):
Fingering weight version:
Suggested Size: US 2/2.75 mm
Worsted weight version:
Suggested Size: US 6/4 mm
Notions
stitch markers, including one unique for beginning of round
tapestry needle
Skills
I consider this pattern to be intermediate level knitting. It includes working in the round, working stranded colourwork, and shaping.
