Recently a customer asked if we could knit a beret for a friend of his who was joining the United Nations. I created a pattern from our original beret pattern and adapted it so that you can use any double knitting wool. It knits up really quickly using a double strand of yarn and large size needles.
Materials and measurements
Actual diameter laid flat: 28cm
When stretched will fit head 53.5-58.5cm (21-23 in)
Double knitting wool 100g (use double strand)
Needles: 5.5mm and 6mm
Tension
5 stitches and 14 rows to 10cm (4 in) measured over stocking stitch using 6mm needles and double thickness of wool.
Abbreviations
RS = Right Side
WS = Wrong Side
K = Knit
P = Purl
Alt = Alternative
Inc = Increase by knitting into the front and back of stitch
Rep = repeat
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Tog = Together
Beret Instructions
Using 5.5mm needles and a double strand of yarn, cast on 74 sts.
Row 1: (RS) K2, *P2, K2, rep from * to end.
Row 2: P2, *K2, P2, rep from * to end.
These two rows from the rib.
Rep these two rows three times (8 rows of rib in total).
Row 9: (RS) K1, inc once in each st to last 2 sts, K2 (145 sts)
Change to 6mm needles.
Rows 10-17: (WS) Starting with a P row, work in stocking st for 7 rows, ending with a WS row. Work should measure 7-8cm.
Shape Top:
Row 11: (RS) [K6, K2tog] 18 times, K1 (127sts)
Row 12 and every alternate row: P
Row 13: K
Row 15: [K5, K2tog] 18 times, K1 (109sts)
Row 17: K
Row 19: [K4, K2tog] 18 times, K1 (91sts)
Row 21: K
Row 23: [K3, K2tog] 18 times, K1 (73sts)
Row 25: K
Row 27: [K2, K2tog] 18 times, K1 (55sts)
Row 29: K
Row 31: [K1, K2tog] 18 times, K1 (37sts)
Row 32: K
Row 33: [K2tog] 18 times, K1 (19sts)
Row 34: P1, P2tog 9 times (10sts)
Row 35: K2tog 5 times (5sts)
Break yarn and thread through the remaining 5 sts. Pull up tight and fasten off securely.
To make up
Join the back seam and neaten off loose ends.
