Friday, December 26, 2008

Helen's Beret

Errata: Upon wearing & stretching of the beret & realizing the effect of bamboo's lack of "springiness" I have included sizing for a smaller size hat (now called "medium") and plan to size it for small as well.






Materials:
-3 balls of Bernat Bamboo Natural Blends
-set of size 8 (5mm) double pointed needles
-16 inch circular needle, size 8 (5mm)
-set of size 7 (4.5mm) dpn's OR 16 inch circular needle

Gauge:
12 sts & 24 rows = 4 inches (10cm)

Size:
women's medium (21 inches) and large (23 inches), 8.5 inches from crown to edge. Changes for large are in parentheses.




Notes:
The hat is worked in the round from the crown down. I switched from dpn's to a 16 inch circular at about row 24. Make sure you have the same gauge or you will have to make adjustments to achieve good results. To make a more fitted, less slouchy beret, omit rows 39-46. To make a slouchier beret, repeat rows 33-38 again after row 46. If you find a mistake in this pattern, leave a comment!


Abbreviations:
m1: pick up the horizontal strand between the next two stitches and knit it from the back (so it twists and doesn't make a hole.)

m1p: pick up the horizontal strand between the next two stitches and purl it from the back (so it twists and doesn't make a hole.)

C4F: (cable 4 front) slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, knit 2, knit 2 stitches from cable needle.

C3F: (cross 3 front) slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, p1, k2 sts from cable needle

C3B: (cross 3 back) slip 1 st onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k2, p1 st from cable needle

C4R: (cross 4 right) slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k2, p2 from cable needle

C4L: (cross 4 left) slip 2 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, p2, k2 from cable needle


Instructions:
Cast 4 stitches onto a 5mm dpn. Keep the same side facing you and slide the stitches to the other end (as if you were making I-cord.)

Row 1: Use the rest of your dpn's, and knit into the front and back of each stitch.
Row 2: p 8
Row 3: *p1, m1p* 8 times
Row 4: p 16
Row 5: *p2, m1p* 8 times
Row 6: p 24
Row 7: *p3, m1p* 8 times
Row 8: *p1, m1, k1, m1, k1, p1* 8 times
Row 9: *p1, k4, p1, m1p* 8 times
Row 10: *p1, C4F, p2* 8 times
Row 11: *p1, k4, p2, m1p* 8 times
Row 12: *p1, C4F, p3* 8 times
Row 13: *p1, k4, p3, m1p* 8 times
Row 14: *C3B, C3F, p3* 8 times
Row 15: *k2, p2, k2, p3, m1p* 8 times
Row 16: *C3F, C3B, p4* 8 times
Row 17: *p1,m1p, k4, p5* 8 times
Row 18: *p2, C4F, p5* 8 times
Row 19: *p2, k4, p5, m1p* 8 times
Row 20: *C4R, C4L, p4* 8 times
Row 21: *k2, p4, k2, p4, m1p* 8 times
Row 22: *k2, p4, k2, p5* 8 times
Row 23: *k2, p4, k2, p5, m1p* 8 times
Row 24: *C4L, C4R, p6* 8 times
Row 25: *p2, k4, p8, m1p* 8 times
Row 26: *p2, C4F, p9* 8 times
Row 27: *p2, k4, p9, (m1p)* 8 times
Row 28: *p1, C3B, C3F, p8 (9)* 8 times
Row 29: *p1, k2, p2, k2, p8 (9)* 8 times
Row 30: *p1, C3F, C3B, p8 (9)* 8 times
Row 31: *p2, k4, p9 (10)* 8 times
Row 32: *p2, C4F, p9 (10)* 8 times
Row 33: as row 31
Row 34: as row 32
Row 35: as row 31
Row 36: as row 28
Row 37: as row 29
Row 38: as row 30
Row 39: as row 31
Row 40: as row 32
Row 41: as row 31
Row 42: *C4R, C4L, p7 (8)* 8 times
Row 43: *k2, p4, k2, p7 (8)* 8 times
Row 44: as row 43
Row 45: as row 43
Row 46: *C4L, C4R, p7 (8)* 8 times
Row 47: (medium size) *p2tog, k4, [p2tog] 2 times, p3tog, p2tog* 8 times
Row 47: (large size) *p2tog, k4, [p2tog, p1] 2 times, p2tog twice* 8 times

CHANGE TO 4.5mm NEEDLES
Row 48: *p1, C4F, [p1,k1] 2 (3) times* 8 times
Row 49: *p1, k4, [p1, k1] 2 (3) times* 8 times
Row 50: as row 49
Row 51: as row 48
Row 52: as row 49
Row 53: as row 49
Row 54: as row 48
Row 55: *p1, k1, p2tog, [k1, p1] 2 (3) times, k1* 8 times
Cast off stitches as they lie with a needle at least 2 sizes larger than the one you're using.

Pattern Copyright 2008, Rachel Abrams. If you like this pattern please send people to this site.