Evelyn Clark Designs
Snow Peaks Beret This design was inspired by berets exported from Iceland in the 1960's and 70's. The interesting top patterning sometimes was called north star. It reminds me of snow on mountain peaks, and for this design I combined it with a small snowflake pattern. Three colors of Lopi were used, and although this shaping is not traditional to Iceland, the yarn is. This lofty Icelandic wool creates a warm, lightweight hat that repels rain and snow. The beret is knit in the round without shaping to the crown where a special k2tog is worked to start the swirl patterning. It is finished with a hatband worked in single crochet over elastic cord to customize the fit. Instructions include an optional button to top theberet. Skill Level Intermediate
Size
11" (28 cm) diameter across top; hatband circumference is customized
Yarn
100 g (110 yds/100 m) Reynolds Lopi, 100% Icelandic wool, bulky weight yarn (7 wpi): Color A: 60 g (66 yds/60 m) #0058 charcoal gray Color B: 18 g (20 yds/18 m) #0005 natural black Color C: 22 g (24 yds/22 m) #0054 pale gray
Needles
US size 10 (6 mm) 24" (61 cm) circular needles and set of 5 double-pointed needles, or size to obtain gauge
Gauge
13 sts = 4" (10 cm) in circular stockinette stitch (knit every round)
Supplies
Stitch marker, tapestry needle, US size H (5 mm) crochet hook, and 30" (76 cm) round elastic cord
Beret Notes
1. Hat is knit in the round on circular needles. At the crown, switch to double-pointed needles. Two circular needles or the Magic Loop can be used instead. 2. It is traditional not to catch floats with Icelandic yarn since they will catch on each other. 3. For crown Rounds 20 to 25, use this special k2tog: slip next stitch knitwise, replace that stitch on the holding needle so it is facing the wrong direction but not twisted, and with Color C k2tog. 4. To finish hat, single crochet is worked in caston stitches over an elastic cord that can be adjusted to customize the fit. 5. Wraps-per-inch (wpi) is a way to measure yarn size. Without stretching, wrap yarn around a ruler for 1" (2.5 cm), and count the strands.
Instructions
Abbreviations
dpn(s) double-pointed needle(s) kknit k2tog knit 2 stitches together st(s) stitch(es) \* repeat instructions inside asterisks
INSTRUCTIONS Cast-on
With Color A, cast on 96 sts. Place marker, and being careful not to twist, join to work in rounds. Beret Beginning Rounds 1-6: knit around. Round 7: Start Color Pattern Chart.
Finishing
Break yarn, leaving an 8" (20 cm) strand. Use tapestry needle to thread through remaining sts, tighten, and secure. Loosely weave in yarn ends.
Hatband
With right side of beret facing, lay elastic cord along cast-onedge,and use crochet hookand Color A yarn to work single crochet over cord and into each cast-on stitch. Knot elastic to fit head, and pull ends under single crochet with tapestry needle. Weave in remaining yarn ends.
Top Button
With Color C and dpn, cast on 12 sts, leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail of yarn. Divide sts onto 2 dpn (6 sts on each), and join to work in rounds. Rounds 1-4: knit around. Round 5: \*k2tog\* around. (6 sts) Break yarn, leaving a 12" (30 cm) strand. Use tapestry needle to thread through remaining sts and tighten. With beginning tail, tightly gather caston sts. Flatten into shape, and sew to top of beret.
Blocking
Wash hat, agitating a little to fluff up yarn. Rinse and roll in towel to blot out water. Smooth into shape, and lay flat to dry, turning it to the wrong side for the first half of the drying time. Trim yarn ends.
Chart Notes
1. Read chart from bottom to top and from right to Ieft. 2. All rounds are charted. ColorA ColorB Color C special k2tog—see Note 3 on Page 1 k2tog
Chart Symbols Color Pattern Chart
Repeat 8 times around
