Monday, November 8, 2010

Bobbles and Leaves Beret



Here's a beret that I've knitted for a friend for Christmas. It looks complicated but it's not really difficult and it's definately worth it as it looks so effective. I hope you like it. If the hat is not big enough you may have to add an extra pattern repeat to make it wider. Also, a lot of people knit hats with double pointed needles or circular needles but I just can't manage that so I knit everything on straight needles. Anyway, see what you think...

You will need:

  • 1 x 100g ball of DK knitting yarn
  • Pair of 3.75 mm knitting needles
  • Pair of 4 or 4.5 mm knitting needles (depending on your preference)
  • Pair of 3.25 mm knitting needles
  • Pair of 3 mm knitting needles
  • Sewing up needle
NOTE: This seems like a lot of knitting needles but you need to change to smaller and smaller needles as you decrease your stitches at the end.

Abbreviations:

  • K = Knit
  • P = Purl
  • K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together
  • Sl1 = Slip next stitch from left hand needle on to right hand needle without knitting it
  • PSSO = Pass the slipped stitch over the stitch you have just knitted
  • BOBBLE = Make a bobble. Here's how to make the bobble: (k1, p1, k1, p1, k1) into the next stitch, turn, p5, turn, slip the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th stitches in sequence over the 1st stitch. Then knit into the back of this remaining stitch.
  • Yf = bring yarn forward.
  • Sl2tog = Slip the next 2 stitches off the left hand needle and onto the right hand needle together purlwise without knitting them.
  • P2sso = Pass the two slipped stitches together over the stitch you have just knitted.
  • Tbl = Through back of loop(s).
  • Yfrn = Bring the yarn to the front of your work, then wrap it over the top of your RH needle and bring it back to the front of your work.
Method:

Cast on 90 stitches with 3.75 mm needles.
Row 1: *K1, p1. Repeat from * to end.
Row 2: *K1, p1. Repeat from * to end.
Repeat last two rows 3 times more (or until work measures 1 inch) and then repeat row 1.
Next row: Make 65 stitches evenly across the row bringing the total number of stitches to 155.

Change to 4mm or 4.5mm needles.

You can now begin knitting the main patterned part of the beret.

Row1: (P1, k3, k2tog, k3, yfrn, p5, yfrn, k3, sl1, k1, psso, k3) 7 times, p1.
Row 2 (and every following alternate row): (K1, p8, k5, p8) 7 times, k1.
Row 3: (P1, k2, k2tog, k3, yf, k1, p2, BOBBLE, p2, k1, yf, k3, sl1, k1, psso, k2) 7 times, p1.
Row 5: (P1, k1, k2tog, k3, yf, k2, p1, BOBBLE, p1, BOBBLE, p1, k2, yf, k3, sl1, k1, psso, k1) 7 times, p1.
Row 7: (P1, k2tog, k3, yf, k3, p2, , BOBBLE, p2, k3, yf, k3, sl1, k1, psso) 7 times, p1.
Row 8: As 2nd row.

These 8 rows form the pattern. I knitted these 8 rows 4 times more (i.e, 5 pattern repeats) but you can knit more or less depending on the size you need. The hat I knitted is fairly small but it is best to use your own judgment according to who you're knitting for and what size head they have.

When you have reached the length you require, making sure you have completed a full pattern repeat (finishing with row 8 of the pattern) you can begin decreasing. Here's how to decrease:

Row 1: (P1, k2tog, k1, k2tog, k3, yfrn, p5, yfrn, k3, sl1, k1, psso, k1, sl1, k1, psso) 7 times, p1. (You should have 141 stitches remaining).
Row 2: (K1, p7, k5, p7) 7 times, k1.
Row 3: (P1, [k2tog] twice, k2, yf, k1, p2, BOBBLE, p2, k1, yf, k2, [sl1, k1, psso] twice) 7 times, p1. (You should now have 127 stitches remaining).
Row 4: K1, p6, k5, p6) 7 times, k1.

Change to 3.75mm needles.
Row 5: (P1, k3tog, k1, yf, k2, p1, BOBBLE, p1, BOBBLE, p1, k2, yf, k1, sl2tog, k1, p2sso) 7 times, p1. (You should now have 113 stitches remaining).
Row 6: (K1, p5, k5, p5) 7 times, k1.
Row 7: (P1, k2tog, yf, k2tog, k1, p2, BOBBLE, p2, k1, sl1, k1, psso, yf, sl1, k1, psso) 7 times, p1. (You should have 99 stitches remaining).
Row 8: (K1, p4, k5, p4) 7 times, k1.

Change to 3.25mm needles.
Row 9: (P1, k3tog, k1, yfrn, p5, yfn, k1, sl2tog, k1, p2sso) 7 times, p1. (85 stitches).
Row 10: (K1, p3, k5, p3) 7 times, k1.
Row 11: (P1, yf, k3tog, p2, BOBBLE, p2, sl2tog, k1, p2sso, yf) 7 times, p1. (57 stitches).
Row 12: (K1 p1, k5, p1) 7 times, k1.
Row 13: (P1, k1, p1, p3tog, p1, k1) 7 times, p1. (43 stitches).
Row 14: (K1, p1, k2tog tbl, k1, p1) 7 times k1. (29 stitches).

Break the yarn leaving approx. 40cm of yarn to work with.

Thread your sewing up needle with the yarn and pass it though the stitches that you have remaining on your knitting needle. Draw the stitches together tightly and sew a few stitches to secure them in place. Turn the hat inside out and sew the seam together from top to bottom (finishing at the base of the brim). Take a round dinner plate and place your hat over the plate. Now steam the hat with a steam iron to block it and give it it's beret shape.

Lastly, enjoy your hat! :-)

24 comments:

  1. Such a cute hat. Thanks for the pattern.

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  2. Great looking beret and I love the rich colors and textures. Knit Picky is promoting this pattern (free of course like all knit picky patterns). I like the idea of steaming with a plate, bold move!

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  3. Awesome looking little beret. I only wish I could see it modeled on someone's head. Thanks for the freebie!

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  4. lovely looking hat thank you so much for this pattern.

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  5. At long last a beret pattern that makes me want to knit it! I shall try knitting in the round. Exquisite.

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  6. What does it mean by yarn forward twice? yf on the knit 3 or on the purl 5? Can anyone help?

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  7. Hi there,

    Yf twice just means you bring the yarn forward the wrap the yarn over the top of the right hand needle and back forward (underneath the right hand needle). It's a good tip to purl into the back of this stitch on the way back as it makes your knitting neater. I've been very busy lately and haven't had time to update my blog.

    Hope this helps.

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  8. Beautiful pattern. Just a quick question. I thought I saw the weight of your yarn, but now can't find it and want to verify before ordering. Is it a 3 weight or 4?

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  9. I'm pretty certain I don't have any 4mm or 4.5mm needles...do you happen to have U. S. equivalent sizes? And for the size 3mm and the other mm needle?

    Thanks
    amethystlady2

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  10. 4mm or 5mm is a US size 6 or 7 and there is no equivalent for the 3mm, but so far I haven't seen where to use them.

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  11. OK - yarn forward twice - looks easy - I know how to yarn forward and can do it twice - 24 stitches first row including 2 yarn overs between knit and purl. Next row - I calculate 22 stitches on the 2nd row - do you do just 1 purl for a large hole - can't really see it in the pattern? Can you get back to me please as I am just working on row 2 of the pattern. barb.boehmer@gmail.com

    Thanks

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  12. What a lovely pattern. Have started knitting in maroon as a gift fir friend.

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  13. Hi I like the pattern very much, but if I knit it without those bobbles. I think it would look simple yet elegant. Do you use circular needles to knit this poject?

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    Replies
    1. All needles are straight needles.

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    2. Pat K - I did it on double-pointed 'circular' needles and it worked very well - pattern minus that last stitch, of course. I put placemarkers in until the pattern was well established - and a different coloured one where the round started. 100 gm was not sufficient wool. Finished beret weighs 116 gms.

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  14. So beautiful! Have to start following your blog! :)

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  15. I am really struggling with the yf, how does it work when changing from purl and then knit? The number of stitches do not add up. How many stitches should one have after the first and second row. So want to make this beret but can't seem to move forward.

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    Replies
    1. See updated pattern. I have replaced the instruction yf twice with yfrn (yarn forward and round needle). See abbreviation chart. This is a more commonly recognized abbreviation and if you are struggling you might find a demo on youtube.

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  16. PATTERN UPDATED!! I have replaced the instruction yf twice with yfrn (yarn forward and round needle). See abbreviation chart. This is a more commonly recognized abbreviation and if you are struggling you might find a demo on youtube.

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  17. I have made this hat twice now. Did sort out the yfwd bit myself when I did it the first time. I just did a yfwd and then yrn before the purl 5 bit. It comes up lovely, thank you for the pattern

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  18. Looks lovely, cannot wait to start and the previous comments have hopefully helped me understand the instructions. Thank you for sharing the pattern

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  19. This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.

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  20. I would like to make this beret for an adult. Do you have instructions/counts for an adult size.

    thanks

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