crochetguideKnow these stitches: magic ring, double crochet, double crochet decrease, back loop only, slip stitch
Materials and yarn planning
Yarns we’ve reviewed that suit it: Lion Brand Basic Stitch Anti-Pilling yarn, Lion Brand Heartland yarn, Lion Brand Wool-Ease worsted yarn. For the hook, choose by size and handle.
This pattern has about 1,704 stitches. For a closer figure in your own yarn, weigh what you have made once a good part is done, divide by the stitches made so far, multiply by 1,704 and divide by the ball weight on the label. Taller stitches use more yarn than short ones, so allow a margin.
Finished size and gauge
The band is the head measurement less about 2.5 cm, so it stays on; the widest round is one and a half times the band, which gives the beret its flat, wide shape. The counts below are a woman’s size from the Craft Yarn Council head chart (53–58.5 cm): at 15 double crochets and 8 rounds per 10 cm, a band of 80 stitches is about 53 cm and the widest round of 120 stitches about 80 cm around, a circle about 25 cm across. For another size, read the band and widest-round stitches from the size table below, stop the increase rounds at the widest count, and decrease back to the band over 3 rounds. These are calculations from the counts, not a measured sample.
Sizes from your swatch
Example: 15 double crochets in 10 cm, the gauge the steps are written for. Type your own swatch over it to see your counts.
| Size | Band | Widest round | Band stitches | Stitches in the widest round |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Baby | 35.5 cm (14 in) | 53.3 cm (21 in) | 53 | 84 |
| Toddler | 40.8 cm (16 in) | 61.2 cm (24 in) | 61 | 96 |
| Child | 45.8 cm (18 in) | 68.7 cm (27 in) | 69 | 108 |
| Tween | 51 cm (20 in) | 76.5 cm (30 in) | 77 | 120 |
| Woman | 53.3 cm (21 in) | 79.9 cm (31.5 in) | 80 | 120 |
| Man | 56 cm (22 in) | 84 cm (33 in) | 84 | 132 |
Counts are rounded to whole stitches and rounds and to the pattern’s repeat. Check the first rows against your swatch.
The gauge calculator compares your swatch with the pattern. A stitch name you do not know is in the abbreviation chart; a UK pattern’s names are in the US/UK term reference.
The pattern
Count rows for this patternThe flat circle
- Round 1: make a magic ring. Chain 3 (it counts as a double crochet) and work 11 double crochets in the ring. Pull the tail to close the center and join with a slip stitch to the top of the chain 3: 12 stitches.
- Round 2: chain 3 (it counts as a double crochet), 1 double crochet in the same stitch, then 2 double crochets in each stitch around. Join to the top of the chain 3: 24 stitches.
- Round 3: chain 3, 2 double crochets in the next stitch, then [1 double crochet in the next stitch, 2 double crochets in the next stitch] 11 times. Join: 36 stitches.
- Rounds 4–10: work each round the same way, with one more plain double crochet before each increase than in the round before (the chain 3 counts as the first plain stitch): 48, 60, 72, 84, 96, 108 and 120 stitches in Round 10. If the edge starts to look 12-sided, move the increases a stitch along every other round, as in the double crochet circle.
- Lay the circle flat: it should lie flat without cupping or ruffling, about 25 cm across.
Sides and decreases
- Rounds 11–13: chain 3, double crochet in each stitch around, join: 120 stitches. These rounds make the beret’s fold.
- Round 14: chain 3, double crochet in each of the next 7 stitches, double crochet 2 together, then [double crochet in each of the next 8 stitches, double crochet 2 together] 11 times. Join: 108 stitches.
- Round 15: chain 3, double crochet in each of the next 6 stitches, double crochet 2 together, then [double crochet in each of the next 7 stitches, double crochet 2 together] 11 times. Join: 96 stitches.
- Round 16: chain 3, double crochet in each of the next 3 stitches, double crochet 2 together, then [double crochet in each of the next 4 stitches, double crochet 2 together] 15 times. Join: 80 stitches.
Band
- Rounds 17–21: chain 1, single crochet in the back loop of each stitch around, join to the first single crochet: 80 stitches. Try the beret on after Round 17: the band should sit snug around your head without pinching.
- Fasten off and weave in the ends. Wet the beret, stretch it over a dinner plate about 25 cm across with the band underneath, and leave it to dry: the plate sets the flat top.
Check the work
The circle grows by 12 stitches a round to 120, the decreases take away 12, 12 and then 16 stitches, and the band holds 80 for all 5 rounds.
- If the circle cups before Round 10, your rounds are tighter than your stitches: go up a hook size for the increase rounds. If it ruffles, go down one.
- If the band is loose, work it with a hook 0.5 to 1 mm smaller; if it is tight, work one fewer decrease round.
Updated . Stitch counts checked row by row; we haven’t crocheted a sample of this one yet. How the patterns are checked. Keep your yarn label, hook and swatch on the printable project worksheet.