Free Pattern for A Toque for a Canadian Roommate Who's Allergic to Wool and Only Just Learned to Knit, Which I Personally Think is Odd For a Canadian

Materials:
US 6 needles, 40" circular (OR 5 DPN OR one 16" circular needle)
Seaming/darning needle
1 skein Berroco Comfort color 9755
1 skein Berroco Comfort color 9700

Gauge: 20 stitches equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

With red, cast on 80 stitches and divide stitches in half, then join for working in the round (as for, say, 2-at-a-Time Socks, only one-at-a-time hats. Or cast on for two hats if you know two Canadians), and work in K2P2 rib for 2 inches. (Alternatively, divide on 4 DPN, 20 stitches per needle, or use a 16" circular needle) Change to stockinette stitch and work for 2 inches. Change to white and knit for 23 rounds. Change to red and work for 1 inch. On next round, place markers after every 10th stitch. Begin decreases as follows:

Round 1: *Knit 2 together, knit to next marker. Repeat from * to beginning of round.

Rounds 2-4: Knit all stitches.

Repeat rounds 1-4 until 8 stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread yarn on a sewing needle and pull tightly through 8 stitches remaining on needle. Run in all ends. Create maple leaf image on white part of hat using red yarn and duplicate stitch.Make a pom-pom out of remaining yarn using a pom-pom tool or two pieces of cardboard. Attach pom-pom, run in yarn ends, and find a Canadian who's allergic to wool and does not know how to knit. Or just wear it!