The Not Too-Too Beret Pattern

Going to vote and getting an "I Voted!" sticker reminded me of a woman I used to work with. Whenever she'd vote, she'd wear her "I Voted!" sticker for at least two days. It could be that it was because she only wore black or white at any given time and she was just happening to repeat a black cashmere sweater or something, but my guess is she was far too picky to ever wear the same thing two days in a row. Come to think of it, she only allowed white flowers in her apartment, or so she said. She also claimed she had a third eye.

But that is beside the point, except to say I hope that what follows will be precise enough. I know I said I'd write out the beret pattern, but I am too busy to make a special pdf version with all the bells and whistles. So if I write out "sm" just know I mean "slip marker." Also, please know that when I write out "pm," I mean "place marker." I can't tell you how many emails I get from people asking me what those abbreviations mean. Sometimes I want to shout: "TRY GOOGLE!" but I don't have the guts. So there you go. Know what I mean when I say "sm" or "pm."

The Not Too-Too Beret

You'll need:

1 16-inch US Size 11 circular needle

1 set Size 11 double-point needles

1 ball Rowan Spray

6 stitch markers

The gauge is approximately 2.5 sts per inch

CO 44 sts. Pm for beginning of rnd, knowing what I mean about "pm." Work in 1x1 rib for 4 rnds. Next rnd, *k2, m1; rep from * around. (66 sts). Work in St st (knit all rnds) until beret measures 4.5" from CO edge to needles (if you have a big hairdo, work another half inch or so). Count sts and place 5 add'l markers evenly spaced so that there are 10 sts between each marker. Begin decreasing: *K2tog, work to 2 sts before next marker, ssk, sm (knowing what I mean by "sm"); rep from * to end. (54 sts remain). Continue decreasing 12 sts every other rnd, changing to double-points when needed, until you have 12 sts left (or just throw caution to the wind and if you have a few more or less, take a deep breath and forget about it. That's what I do), then K2tog around. You should have about 6 sts left, give or take. Leave a 10" tail and thread it through the remaining sts, pull tight and fasten down to the inside of the beret. The finished brim circumference is around 16" but it'll fit a medium sized female head. (My head measures about 21-22" at its widest circumference, but these berets sit lower, so no worries.)

Comments

[Carson]

That's our Wendy: tellin' it like it is!
Thank you for publishing the pattern :)

[Amber]

Uh oh.

Super cute hat - I couldn't stop myself from making it, even though the temp outside today is about 65 (in sunny Houston). But something bad happened and I wound up with a beanie with no beret flair at all.

I've checked the pattern a few times and I think I followed it to a T. I even went as far as to buy the recommended yarn (shock, horror!). Any ideas as to what might've happened? I don't think my gauge could be that off - can I ask how many stitches you got to the inch in the original? Is it possible that my head is just THAT gigantic?

Any words of wisdom? I guess I can frog and try another needle size, maybe do 2 rows of increases...I don't know. All I do know is I WANT THIS HAT! Knitting my poor imitation just wetted my appetite even more...

Help?

[Wendy]

Amber, do you have a big hairdo?

This is a not too-too beret, so if you're looking for something more slouchy, definitely add a little more increases, but not too many. I would rip back and do the first increase round then work 1 round, then maybe do a round with more increases, but increase maybe every 4th or 6th stitch instead, because at the gauge, about 2.5 sts per inch, the widest part would be around 24 inches, at least 2 inches more than most peoples' heads that lasts a full 4.5 inches up the head. So, it's up to you. I'll edit the pattern up top so it mentions gauge. Thanks for the heads up!

[Kris]

Hey that's really cute. I may need to put aside my "I look silly in hats" anxiety and knit that little thing. Very cool.

[Sara]

Thanks for the cute beret pattern! I made your fad classic & LOVE it ... cannot wait for your book!

[Cynthia]

Love the beret! Thank you for the pattern.

[Shannon]

Thanks so much for the pattern. When people ask, just link them here:
http://www.fuckinggoogleit.com/ that's all ya have to do! ;)

[Gina]

Thanks so much for the pattern! I have been searching for a good beret pattern, and I think this one seems pretty straightforward.

I would like to know if it is possible to knit the whole pattern on double pointed needles from the start, instead of having to start using circular, then switching to dpns? Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

[west bremerton florist]

cute.

[Annoyed]

"I can't tell you how many emails I get from people asking me blah blah blah" Why don't you just stick it in your list of abbreviations and save us all some time.