Peppermint Beret
This beret is knit bottom up flat, with eight vertical intarsia stripes.
Materials:
·1 skein Caron Simply Soft White ·1 skein Caron Simply Soft Autumn Red.(You will need a little less than half of each color. Any similar gauge yarn can be subsituted.) ·Size US 5 knitting needles · Size Us 7 knitting needles · tapestry needle ·straight pins ·Optional: bobbins and stitch markers First, wind four bobbins or four small balls of each color. (A ball about 2.5 inches in diameter for each color should be enough to ensure that you don't have to add new yarn midway through, if that annoys you as much as it doesme .) I suggest using a tubular cast-on, because they are very elastic, but if you prefer, a cable cast-on will also work. Cable cast-on: On US size 5 needles, use the cable cast-on method to cast on twelve stitches from each ball or bobbin, alternating red and white, so that you have eight stripes, four of each color. 96 stitches total. Tubular cast-on: Use US size 5 needles. The same as the cable cast-on above, you will want to end up with eight stripes or wedges, alternating red and white, with twelve stitches per wedge and 96 stitches total. This means that when you begin your tubular cast on, you will want six stitches per wedge, and a total of 48 stitches. These will then be picked up using the tubular cast on method. (There are several good tutorials about this cast-on on Youtube if you want help!) Knit k2 p2 rib for two inches. When changing colors, make sure to always. bring your old color over your new! Switch to US Size 7 needles. For the next 5 right-side (odd) rows, increase one stitch, by whatever method you prefer, into the last stitch of every wedge. Purl wrong-side (even)rows. So: Row 1: 104 sts Row 3: 112 sts Row 5: 120 sts Row 7: 128 sts Row 9: 136 sts Knit twelve rows in pattern, always bringing old color over new when changing. Begin simple spiral decreases: On BOTH sides (both odd AND even rows), decrease the last two stiches of every wedge together, using k2tog on right side rows and p2tog on wrongside rows. Continue decreasing 'til only 8 stitches remain. Row 23: 128 sts Row 24: 120 stsRow 25: 112 sts Row 26: 104 sts Row 27: 96 sts Row 28: 88 sts Row 29: 80 sts Row 30: 72 sts Row 31: 64 sts Row 32: 56 sts Row 33: 48 sts Row 34: 40 sts Row 35: 32 sts Row 36: 24 sts Row 37: 16 sts Row 38: 8 sts Bind off losely. Pin side seam in place and sew up. Weave thread through bound off stitches, pull tight, and secure. Weave in all ends and block as desired. (I like to wet-block mine stretched over a small dinner plate.) Enjoy your lovely new hat!
