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A Felted Green Toque
February 24, 2011
Since we are moving back to Canada it's time to start talking like a Canadian again, eh?
I never did lose my western Canadian accent, though it is quite diminished. People who meet me, even now after eleven years living outside of Canada, comment on my speech. They don't mention it unless I tell them where I'm from and then they say "oh, I thought I heard something in your voice". Especially when I say the word process, pronounced with a long o, not ah. Think pro sports.
I'm getting sidetracked here with Canadian phrasology. What I want to share is this wonderful felted toque my mom made for Laurent. Toque (rhymes with fluke) is the Canadian term for winter hat. It sounds French to me but could have Native origins, I don't know.
The toque was supposed to be for me but it doesn't fit quite right. So I passed it onto Laurent. And good thing too since he recently lost the knitted hat my mom made him over two years ago. The hat he has faithfully worn nearly every day except for those hottest days of the year in July and August.
He's claimed this gorgeous green felted hat as his own and it gives him a certain impish look that is very fitting.
I was mostly trekking behind Laurent on our hike this weekend and I felt like I was following a little green elf through the forest. It was magical.
Thanks Nana for the hat. We wrote this haiku in honor of it.
hat as green as grass
fuzzy, felted, Nana love
sits atop my head
self portrait by Laurent Tougas
I think it's only fair to share a few photos of the girls as well. I can't resist since they are so darn cute, sans green toques.
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Jill Foley on Feb. 24, 2011, 4:28 a.m.
I love his self-protrait - good job Laurent!
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Francesca on Feb. 24, 2011, 9:27 a.m.
I love the felted toque from nana (and the crocheted one - is that also a "toque"?)! The self portrait is amazing, Laurent is super talented.
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renee on Feb. 24, 2011, 1:49 p.m.
Pretty much any winter hat that is knitted, crocheted, fleece or otherwise is a toque. Ie: baseball caps are not toques. fyi: that other hat my mom made was also knitted (not like it really matters but I'm slightly details obsessed).
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tara on Feb. 24, 2011, 12:08 p.m.
I never thought about having a Canadian accent until several years ago when I was working on an American research ship on the waters of Lake Erie. I met a young American who insisted i pronounced "about" as "aboot".
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Colleen on Feb. 24, 2011, 12:48 p.m.
Thanks for posting the pictures of the toque. I've just finished reading Louise Penny's mystery series set in Quebec, and while I gathered that a toque was headgear from the context in the novels, you've given me great accompanying visuals.
It's always nice in Texas here where it's hit as high as the upper 70's and 80's this week to live vicariously through people who actually have winter.
Good luck on all your plans and upcoming move!
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Nicola @ Which Name? on Feb. 24, 2011, 9:19 p.m.
Your three are so gorgeous! So is the hat! I love that color and style and Laurent...quite the artist! Nicola
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Karen on Feb. 25, 2011, 12:08 a.m.
Oh my, how fitting that your latest toque acquisition has lodged on Laurent's head - in every way, especially since that beloved multi-colored lightning-streaked one has departed somewhere. You''ll have no trouble remembering it!
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Pamela on Feb. 25, 2011, 3:05 a.m.
Laurent's drawing is spot on! Wonderful talent!
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Jenn on Feb. 25, 2011, 4:27 p.m.
I love his poem to his grandma. How sweet is that. Nana love sits atop his head!! Awwww!!!!! I love his drawing too! He definitely has a style all his own and his art is amazing! :)
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Granola Girl on Feb. 24, 2011, 3:38 a.m.
I've never noticed just how much Laurent and Brienne (spelling?) look alike! In pictures 2 and 3 they are so similar! That is a pretty great hat. I was admiring it the other day when you posted pictures. Isn't it funny how when wool is felted it can fit some so well and others not so much.