Beret Easy!
The great thing about a hat like this is that you can use any yarn you like and still end up with something beret funky. (Sorry.)
Choose a yarn you like and needles to match its weight, preferably ones recommended on the ball band.
Using Magic Loop or DPNs, cast on 6 sts and join in the round, placing marker and being careful not to twist. If you’re going to use a very bulky yarn, you might prefer to cast on 3 sts instead of 6.
1st round: K f&b in every stitch.
2nd round: *K 1, K f&b, rep from * to end.
3rd round: *K2, K f&b, rep from * to end.
4th round: *K3, K f&b, rep from * to end.
Continue increasing in this fashion until radius measures 5″. At some point you may want to switch to a circular for comfort.
Stop increasing and work straight for 1″.
Now start decreasing at the same points where you were increasing (it helps to keep markers at these points but not crucial). For my hat, I used the SSK decrease to mirror the direction of the increases. Work decreases every round, just like the increases.
When the decrease section measures 3 1/2″ (measuring from the round you started decreasing in towards the centre), stop decreasing.
Purl 1 round – this is the turning ridge for your hem.
On the next round, start increasing at the same points where you were just decreasing. Work 5-10 rounds of increases, depending on how deep you like your hem.
With the live stitches still on your needle, sew down hem using the purled round as a guide.
Block out – I found stretching it over a plate and standing it over a radiator to dry to be effective – put on, and be fabulous!
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Pingback by knitting neels » Beret Easy! — January 31, 2008 @ 11:22 am
I LOVE this beret! I saw it on a women on the Upper West Side in New York, and she graciously told me where to find the pattern.
What size needles did you use and how much yarn?
Thanks!
Comment by Claudia L. — February 2, 2008 @ 8:47 pm
Your Beret looks fab and I’ll certainly give it a try. Thank you!
Comment by WendyM — February 5, 2008 @ 9:40 am
Wow – great pattern – found it through Ravelry. I am heading off on a winter trip and need a hat – have some gorgeous chunky Alpaca that I’m going to use for this. THANKS!!!!!!
Comment by Ada Lai — February 9, 2008 @ 12:16 am
Wow, I think this will be my next beret, I gave my last one, the ‘last minute “purled” beret’ to a friend, the colour drained my face completely, i must try to find a lighter softer red for myself! and then i think i’ll try this pattern!
Comment by Péitseoga — February 10, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I tried to cast this on last night but am having a terrible (TERRIBLE!!!) time joining the 6 stitches at the beginning. Any tips to help me? Thanks!
Comment by Colleen — February 23, 2008 @ 3:36 pm
Hi, I’m almost finished with this very nice looking beret (the spiral pattern is splendid), I’ve just purled the purl round and started the final increases. But I don’t understand well your penultimate instruction: how do you “sew downâ€? the last round? Do you know a knitting instruction website that shows how to do it? Thank you very much for any help. I may send you a photo when I complete the beret.
Comment by Meidosemme — May 23, 2008 @ 12:11 pm
Hi again. I finally understood the penultimate instruction, it was obvious in the end that I had to fold over the purled round. Unfortunately, the beret is too large for me, maybe because I have little hair on my head. Perhaps someone with a small head or not much hair should decrease for 4″ instead of 3.5″?
Comment by Meidosemme — May 24, 2008 @ 9:50 am
I may be a tad backwards about this, but so be it. Here are my questions:
1. If I keep repeating rows 1-4 until I reach 5″ in diameter, at what number of stitches per needle do I switch to circular needles? I’ve tried it at 22 stitches for each dp, as they are small needles they not only get very crowded, but it’s more and more difficult to add stitches; however, the center gets pulled too much on the circular (either on 16″ or 24″). Thoughts or advice for this problem?
2. Is there a secret to knitting from the top down so that the center stays tight?
Comment by Ellen — March 11, 2010 @ 5:27 am
How do I use the purl round as a guide for the sewing? Gorgeous beret, can’t wait to make one!
Comment by Rose — August 7, 2010 @ 6:18 pm
and what is the 5″ radius?
Comment by Rose — August 9, 2010 @ 11:29 pm
[...] Knitting neels » Beret Easy! Pingback by knitting neels » Beret Easy! — January 31, 2008 @ 11:22 am. Comment by Claudia L. — February 2, 2008 @ 8:47 pm. 1-4 until I reach 5″ in diameter, at what number of stitches per needle do I switch to circular needles? Knitting neels » Beret Easy! [...]
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