Classic Beret for 18-inch Dolls

Free Doll Hat Knitting Pattern

A beret can add the finishing touch to a variety of outfits, from a casual summer outfit to something better suited for the Spring and Fall. This classic beret pattern is a quick and easy knit!

Skills Required/Techniques Used:
-Knit & purl, cast on & bind off
-Increasing: make 1 (m1)
-Decreasing: knit 2 together (k2tog), slip-slip-knit (ssk)
-Working in the round on double pointed needles

Size: fits 18-inch dolls like American Girl, Our Generation and other dolls with similar size head

Materials: Sinfonia by Omega (affiliate link) sport weight yarn (100% cotton), 218 yards (199 meters) / 100 gr, color white - 1 skein, small amount of contrast color yarn.

Needles: circular or double pointed needles (dpn) US # 2 (2.75mm) OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE

Gauge: 28 st x 32 rows = 4" x 4" (10cm x 10cm) in stockinette st

Notions:
yarn needle, 8 stitch markers, small embellishments of your choice (optional).

Abbreviations:
k - knit
p - purl
k2tog - knit 2 together
ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog – 1 st decreased.
m1 - make 1 increase - make a backward loop over the right-hand needle and in the next row/round purl/knit as a regular stitch.
sm - slip marker
pm - place marker
rm - remove marker


Pattern Notes:

Stockinette in rounds: all rounds knit

2x2 rib in rounds, multiple of 4: all rounds: k2, p2


Short Overview of the Pattern:

The beret is worked bottom-up, seamlessly, in rounds. First, the band is worked in 2 x 2 rib, then the beret is worked in stockinette with increases, then with decreases.


Beret

Cast on 64 sts, distribute evenly on 4 dpn, 16 sts per needle; purl foundation row and close into round, take care not to twist the stitches.

Rounds 1-8 work in 2x2 rib: *k2, p2 - repeat from * around. While working the last round place markers after every 8th stitch.

Round 9 (increase round): *knit till marker, m1, sm - repeat from * 8 times. (+8 sts = 72 sts)

Round 10: knit around, sm white working

Repeat rounds 9-10 five more times. After rounds 19-20 you have 112 sts, 28 sts per needle.

Round 21 (decrease round): *knit till 2 sts remain before marker, k2tog, sm, - repeat from * 8 times. (- 8 sts )

Round 22: knit around.

Repeat rows 21-22 twelve (12) more times. Thus in every odd round the number of sts decreases by 8 and in the end only 8 sts remain.

Cut yarn, leaving about 6" (15 cm) tail. Pull through all the remaining sts and secure.


Finishing:

Weave in all yarn ends. Decorate to your taste.

Have fun!