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!

Julie sent us this photograph of the hat she made for her mom. The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca’s Worsted Hand Dyes, one of our winter favorites that’ll be returning this season. For the pattern, Julie used Basic Hats from the Fall 2006 edition of Knit Simple.

Julie writes:

Started with size 7 for brim and changed to size 8 for rest of hat. Also, since my mom’s head measured 22” I started at the largest size. After making the brim, though, I was worried that it was going to be too big so I decreased 4 times on two rows in order to get my stitch count down to the amount for the next size and then started the alternating colored rows. While I was knitting it I was REALLY worried about the brim being larger and rolling too much but in the end I think it’s perfect. I’m very happy with the result. I hope my mom agrees!

I think it’s beautiful - I’m sure Julie’s mom will love it! Thanks for sharing it with us, Julie!

It seems like every day a customer comes into the store looking for a quick baby knit. We usually recommend a sweater, but why not a hat? They’re great for protecting little heads from the sun and for keeping warm in the air conditioning.

Kathy came up with three adorable hat patterns using a wonderful baby yarn, Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino. Each hat has a different brim and crown–you could make just one, or present the new parents with a set. Click here to download the pattern.

These hats are a great addition to your baby pattern repertoire, especially if you’re looking for a last-minute gift!

Rebecca just sent us a picture of her finished Gretel Beret. She used one hank of Malabrigo’s Worsted Merino yarn and it looks beautiful! If you’re looking to get your feet wet with cables then Gretel might be the perfect project for you. Rebecca told us she had a great time making this one and she’s looking forward to casting on for other hats with Malabrigo.

The pattern for the beret is available from the designer’s website. We often forget about hats in the summer, but Gretel looks like a great project to have on hand during summer travel. Why not get a jump on your Holiday knitting while you’re sipping lemonade on the beach?

Katie sent us this photograph of her first finished project since her daughter Aoife was born - a Baby Beanie. Look how adorable Aoife looks in her hat!

The yarn is Blue Sky Alpaca’s Sport Weight and the pattern is their Baby Beanie and Mitts. Katie wrote that she originally bought the Sport Weight yarn to knit a blanket. Now she’s going to use it for hats and mittens for Aoife’s friends!

Thanks for sharing your project with us, Katie!

The Triple Play Hat is a tweedy concoction of 3 colors of Blue Sky Alpaca’s Sport Weight or Melange yarns. These 100% baby alpaca yarns keep the cold out and won’t make your forehead itch.

Shown in Natural Dark Gray, Natural Medium Gray, and Natural Light Gray

With Blue Sky’s extensive palette, you can create subtle combinations like ours in grays or browns (see below), or go wild with turquoise, fuchsia or vivid lilac.

Here’s how it’s made -

TRIPLE PLAY HAT (download pattern as pdf file)

SIZE
Adult Medium (Adult Large)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Circumference unstretched - 17 (19.5) inches

MATERIALS
Blue Sky Alpaca Sport Weight or Melange yarn
3 hanks, yarn held tripled throughout
16 inch US #10.5/6.5 mm circular needle
1 set of 5 DPNs size US #10.5/6.5 mm

GAUGE
13 sts = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTE

Part of the fun of the Triple Play Hat is choosing your colors. Use 3 different colors – either very similar of wildly different – or use 2 strands of 1 color and 1 strand of an accent color. If you like the softness and warmth of the tripled Sport Weight, but want a more conservative look, then use 3 strands of the same color.

PATTERN

With yarn held tripled, CO 60 (64) stitches. Place marker and join in the round.

Band
*K2, p2; repeat from * to end of round. Continue for 3 inches.

Crown
For smaller size -
*K13, k2tog; repeat from * to end. (56 sts).

For both sizes –
Knit all rounds for 3 inches.

Shaping

Row 1 *K5 (K6), k2tog; repeat from * to end.

Row 2 Knit every stitch.

Row 3 *K4 (K5), k2tog; repeat from * to end.

Row 4 Knit every stitch.

Row 5 *K3 (K4), k2tog; repeat from * to end.

Row 6 Knit every stitch.

Row 7 *K2 (K3), k2tog; repeat from * to end.

Row 8 Knit every stitch.

Row 9 *K1 (K2), k2tog; repeat from * to end.

Row 10 Knit every stitch.

For smaller size –
Row 11 * K2tog; repeat from * to end.

For larger size –
Row 11 * K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end.

Row 12 Knit every stitch.

Row 13 * K2tog; repeat from * to end.

Cut yarn leaving 8 inch tail. Using a tapestry needle, pull tail through remaining stitches, and to inside. Weave in ends.

Shown in Natural Dark Brown, Natural Copper, and Natural Medium Tan

Enjoy!