A knit cap, originally of wool, though now often of synthetic fibers, is designed to provide warmth in cold weather. Many variants exist, with many names, such as toboggan (Southern American English) and stocking cap or watch cap (American English). In much of the English-speaking world, the term beanie has come to mean a knit cap as well, but North American usage often describes a completely different seamed cap that is not knitted at all.
The knit cap is also known in Canadian English: tuque (pronounced /ˈtuːk/; also spelled touque or toque in Canadian English), a word closely related to the French word toque, originally referring to a traditional headwear and now used for type of chef's hat (short for toque blanche, meaning "white hat").
There are many other names for a knit cap (see "Other names" section below).
Most knit caps are tapered at the top; they sometimes have ear flaps, and may be topped with a pom-pom (this style of cap is sometimes referred to as a bobble hat, toboggan or sherpa). Knit caps may have a folded brim, or none, and may be worn tightly fitting the head or loose on top.
Some variants are constructed as a parallel sided tube, with a draw-string closure at one end. This version can be worn as a neck-warmer with the draw-string loose and open, or as a hat with the draw-string pulled tight and closed.