Jacklien Fernendus
Author for handknitty.com
I have worked in the knitting industry for the past 15 years. When I was a child, my grandma used to knit and enjoy spending time with them on an easy chair in the winter to keep them warm and occupied. Now that I work in the modern knitting & Fashion industry, I see the same fascination in my 4-year-old daughter’s eyes when seeing me working.
Knitting a beret
Knitting a beret can be a fun and satisfying project for anyone who loves to knit. Here’s a general overview of how to knit a beret:
Materials needed:
- Worsted weight yarn (about 200-300 yards)
- Circular knitting needles (size 8 or 9)
- Double-pointed knitting needles (size 8 or 9)
- Stitch marker
Instructions:
Cast on 80-90 stitches onto circular knitting needles. Join the round, being careful not to twist the stitches, and place a stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.
Knit in the round for about 2-3 inches in stockinette stitch (knit every round). This will form the brim of the beret.
Switch to a pattern stitch of your choice. Some popular choices include ribbing, moss stitch, or a simple lace pattern. Continue knitting in the pattern stitch until the beret measures about 8-9 inches from the brim.
Begin decreasing stitches to form the crown of the beret. Switch to double-pointed needles when there are too few stitches to comfortably work on the circular needles.
The decrease round is typically worked as follows: Knit 8 stitches, knit 2 together repeat from * to * around.
Continue decreasing in this manner, knitting fewer stitches between each decrease, until only a few stitches remain.
Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail, and thread the tail through the remaining stitches. Pull tight to close the top of the beret.
Weave in any loose ends and block the beret to shape it. This can be done by wetting the beret, shaping it to the desired size, and allowing it to dry flat.
And that’s it! With a little time and patience, you can create a beautiful and functional beret to wear or give as a gift.
