I love a slouchy beret. It’s the perfect thing to cover up my (many) bad hair days and still look stylish, but I can rarely bring myself to buy one. The details are never quite right–the ribbing doesn’t flow into the lace pattern, or the crown decreases seem careless–and I, as a knitter, know it can be done better.

The Grace Lace Beret has all of the right details. The cast on is a modified and simplified tubular cast on, and the simple lace pattern flows evenly from ribbing to crown decreases. The yarn, Louisa Harding Grace, is one of my favorites. The 50/50 wool/silk blend has a beautiful halo and just the right amount of drape. It feels delicate, but wears incredibly well, and is–of course–soft as silk. This season Harding introduced Grace in beautiful hand-dyed colors, too. The Grace Lace Beret works up super-fast, which makes it perfect for last-minute holiday gifts.

If you’re new to lace, or just want to connect with new knitters, we’re offering a Grace Lace Beret class on Mondays, October 20 and 27 from 6 to 8 PM. Space is limited, so be sure to give us a call to reserve your place.

GRACE LACE BERET

SIZE
One size fits most women

MATERIALS
2 balls of Louisa Harding Grace or Hand Dyed Grace yarn
16” circular and DPN in US 9 or size needed to achieve gauge
set of 5 dpn US 4
crochet hook, waste yarn, stitch markers, darning needle

GAUGE
4 stitches per inch in lace pattern

ABBREVIATIONS

K knit
P purl
DD double decrease, slip two stitches together as if to knit 2 together, knit one, pass two slipped stitches over.

PATTERN

With crochet hook and waste yarn, chain 65 stitches. With working yarn, and US4 needles, pick up 60 stitches from back of crochet chains. Distribute stitches evenly over dpn’s and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1: (increase round) With working yarn, *k1, yo; rep from * across all stitches (120 stitches)

Round 2: *slip 1 with yarn in front, k1; rep from * across all stitches

Round 3: *p1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from * across all stitches

Continue in p1, k1 rib for 1 1/4″ from cast on. Remove waste yarn from cast on.

Change to US9 circular needles and work rows 1-10 of chart 3 times, then work rows 1-6 once. (see below for chart.)

Crown Decreases:

Round 1: *k5, DD, k4; rep from * across all stitches. (100 sts)

Round 2: k 1 round

Round 3: *k4, dd, k3; rep from * across all stitches (80 sts)

Round 4: k1 round

Round 5: *k3, dd, k2; rep from * across all stitches (60 sts)

Round 6: *k2, dd, k1; rep from * across all stitches (40 sts)

Round 7: *k1, dd; rep from * across all stitches (20 sts)

Round 8: k1, *dd, k2; repeat from * to last 3 sts, dd, k1 (15 sts)

Cut yarn leaving 8 inch tail. Draw through rem sts and pull tightly. Weave in end on inside.

Lace Chart

Enjoy your beret! And don’t forget to send us a picture!

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