Valley Yarns Speed Skater Knitting Pattern

Valley Yarns Speed Skater Toque

What is Being Made

The Valley Yarns Speed Skater is a plush textured winter toque designed by Julie Turjoman. This stylish knit hat features a distinctive wide cabled band paired with a stockinette stitch crown, creating a quintessential cold-weather accessory. The pattern is available in three sizes: Small (fits head circumference 18-19"), Medium (fits head circumference 20-21"), and Large (fits head circumference 22-23"), with corresponding finished brim circumferences of 18", 20", and 22".

Techniques Used

The Speed Skater employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its finished design. The construction begins with a unique bottom-up approach where the cabled band is worked from side to side as a separate piece, then the ends are joined using the 3-Needle Bind-off technique. Once the band is complete, stitches are picked up from one long edge and the crown is worked in the round using circular needles. This method allows for seamless construction of the stockinette crown section while incorporating strategic decreases that shape the top of the hat. The pattern includes a video tutorial reference for the 3-Needle Bind-off technique to assist knitters with this joining method.

Stitches Used

The Speed Skater utilizes fundamental knitting stitches combined with cable work for visual interest. The primary stitches include:

• Stockinette stitch for the crown, which creates a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Cable stitches featured prominently in the wide cabled band that forms the brim
• Knit and purl stitches as foundational elements throughout the pattern
• Decreases (including K2tog—knit 2 together) worked along one edge during crown shaping to form the top of the hat

The pattern uses standard knitting abbreviations and includes stitch markers to help track the beginning of rounds and shaping points.

Materials and Yarn

The Speed Skater pattern calls for Valley Yarns Superwash Bulky, a yarn composed of 100% Extrafine Merino Wool. The pattern requires 2 skeins, with each skein weighing 100 grams and containing approximately 109 yards. Extrafine Merino wool is an excellent choice for winter accessories, offering softness, breathability, and natural temperature regulation. The yarn shown in the pattern sample is in Turquoise.

Needles and Gauge

The Speed Skater is worked on US size 9 (5.5 mm) needles, specifically 16-inch circular needles and double-pointed needles for working in the round. An extra needle of the same size is required for the 3-Needle Bind-off technique used to join the cabled band. The pattern specifies a gauge of 14 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch on US size 9 needles, blocked. Knitters should swatch to verify gauge before beginning the project, as accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, the Speed Skater pattern requires a few additional notions: stitch markers to track rounds and shaping, a cable needle for working the cable stitches in the band, and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends upon completion.

Difficulty Level

While the pattern attributes list this as a beginner project, the actual PDF indicates an Intermediate skill level. This intermediate rating reflects the techniques involved, including cable work, working in the round, the 3-Needle Bind-off joining method, and crown shaping with decreases. Knitters should have foundational experience with these techniques before attempting the Speed Skater.