February Beret
A cozy hat inspired by Elizabeth Zimmermann's February Baby Sweater by Ann Szwarc I recently completed knitting a February Lady sweater, which is an adult-sized sweater based on Elizabeth Zimmermann's February Baby sweater. I had yarn left over and decided to make a cozy hat to match. A quick search on Ravelry revealed a pattern, but it was designed for DK weight yarn and mine was worsted. That pattern was also worked traditionally from the brim up, which oriented the lace pattern upside down compared to the sweater. The pattern that follows is my reinterpretation. It uses worsted weight yarn, and an interesting start to work from the top of the hat toward the brim. Just like the sweater, the lace is contrasted by garter stitch sections. Happy knitting! Ann.
Materials
Yarn
100 g (3.5 oz) worsted-weight yarn, about 200 yards (180 m) Sample knit with Briar Rose Fibers Fourth of July 10o% merino wool, 8o grams used
Needles
US8 (5 mm) double-point needles, set of 4 or 5, or size required to get gauge US8 (5 mm) 16" (40o cm) circular needle, or size required to get gauge
Other
stitch markers, one distinct to mark the end of the round; scissors; tapestry needle for weaving in ends
Gauge
18 sts = 4" (10 cm) in garter stitch
Abbreviations
DPN = double pointed needle(s) k = knit k2tog = knit 2 together m1 = make 1; insert left needle under horizontal strand between last knitted stitch and next stitch on left needle from front to back and knit this through the back loop p = purl ssk = slip 2 stitches separately as if to knit, then knit together through the back loops yo = yarn over
Stitch Patterns
Gull Lace Pattern
Lace is a 7-stitch by 4-row pattern. When worked in the round, knit evennumbered rows. Row 1: [k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1l. Repeat around entire round. Rows 2 and 4: k around. Row 3: [k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk]. Repeat around entire round.
Garter Stitch
When worked in the round, garter stitch is knit one round, purl one round. Repeat.
Instructions
Cast on - Emily Ocker's Cast On
The cast on for this project is similar to the crochet “magic disappearing loop" start frequently used in amigurumi. The first stitches are worked into a loop of yarn that is later tightened to close the hole. After tightening, it looks just like the typical “thread tail through the last stitches" finish of many hat patterns. Begin with double-point needles. Form a loop of yarn with tail towards the left. \*Using one needle, put needle through yarn loop (Figure 1), yo (Figure 2), and draw yarn up (Figure 3). Yarn over needle (Figure 4). Repeat from \* until you have 6 stitches on the needle. Put needle though yarn loop, yo, and draw yarn up one more time - 7 stitches on needle (Figure 5). Turn. K2tog, k across - 6 sts. Pull on tail of initial loop to tighten slack. Redistribute stitches onto 3 DPNs. Join for working in the round, taking care not to twist stitches and placing marker to indicate beginning of round. Purl one round - 6 sts. Pull on end of initial yarn loop to close hole
Increases
Top of crown increases are worked in garter stitch as follows. Change to circular needle when number of stitches becomes unwieldy on DPNs. Round 1: (k1, m1) around - 12 sts Round 2 and all even rounds: purl even Round 3: (k1, m1) around - 24 sts Round 5: k even Round 7: (k1, m1) around - 48 sts Round 9: k even Round 11: (k2, m1) around - 72 sts Rounds 13 and 15: k even
Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5 Round 17: (k3, m1) around - 96 sts Rounds 19 and 21: k even Round 23: (k4, m1) to last 4 sts, k4 - 119 sts
Lace (body ofhat)
Round 1: \*k1, k2tog, yo, k1, yo, ssk, k1; repeat from \* around. You may find it helpful to place stitch markers between repeats of the pattern. Rounds 2 and 4: knit around. Round 3: \*k2tog, yo, k3, yo, ssk; repeat from \* around. Repeat these 4 rows for approximately 5 1/2" (13 cm) from start of lace, ending after round 4. For a slouchier hat, add more lace rows. Sample was knit to 10 repeats of the lace pattern (5 1/2"), which did stretch during blocking.
Band
Decrease round: (k1, k2tog) to last 2 sts, k2 - 8o sts Round 1: purl even Round 2: knit even
Repeat these 2 rounds until garter stitch band measures 1 1/2" (4 cm), ending with round 1.
Finishing
Bind off using Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off, knitwise. \*Yarn over in reverse (\*"down the hill" instead of “up the mountain"), then k1. Using tip of left needle, pass yo over knit stitch. One stitch processed. Repeat from \* to process second stitch. Pass frst stitch over second stitch, as in typical bind off Continue, processing each stitch as outlined before binding off. Weave in ends, pulling loop on top of crown snug to close before weaving in.
Wash and block
Soak hat until thoroughly saturated in tepid water, about 15 minutes. Carefully extract from water and gently squeeze. Roll in a dry towel and step on it with bare feet to remove as much water as possible. Carefully place hat over a dinner plate to shape. Let dry. Wear and enjoy!
Helpful Hints
The cast on is described and illustrated on page 148 of New England Knits, published by Interweave Press. Further information, including videos, can be found by searching the internet for “Emily Ocker's Cast On." If you find yourself getting holes in your knitting between rounds in the initial garter stitch section, shift your DPNs so the new round starts in the middle of a needle, not between them. Detailed instructions for Jeny's Surprisingly Stretchy Bind Off can be found at http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall9/ FEATissbo.php If the band stretches out too loose during blocking, weave a strand or two of elastic thread through the bumps on the inside to tighten it.
