It's been a while since my last blog post due to a number of 'emergency giftings' so I've been knitting, crocheting and dyeing like a maniac! I did find the time to design some patterns and this crochet beret is making it's debut!
I find that lots of crochet berets are quite two dimensional, and unless you use super bulky yarns, or complicated puff stitch patterns, you don't get much warmth! This Winter Crochet Beret pattern employs a simple ridge stitch that creates air-pockets that trap warmth and has a lovely ribbing across the hat. The instructions are quite straightforward that a beginner can easily create this hat in a weekend... and the addition of elastic at the brim will make sizing much easier if you have a smaller sized head!

Personally, I love patterns that ask for 'chunky' yarns... because the size is so versatile, two strands of dk work to get the right gauge and the colours and spare yarns in your stash can be made into a pretty and functional accessory in a matter of hours!

Pattern written in British Crochet Terms

Ribbed Crochet Beret Pattern

SIZE

To fit average head size 56 cm (22 inches)

MATERIALS

Chunky weight yarn
5.0mm (US H/8, UK/Canadian size 6) Crochet hook
4.0mm (US G/6, UK/Canadian Size 8) Crochet hook
Length of knitting elastic (optional)

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Gauge/Tension
12sts and 5 rows = 10cm/4in square measured over rows of trebles with 5.0mm hook, or whatever size needed to achieve tension.
Abbreviations
beg - beginning
ch – chain
ss – slip stitch
st(s) – stitches
tog – together
tr – treble
yrh – yarn around hook
2 tr tog – 2 trebles together = [yrh, insert hook in next stitch, yrh, pull through a loop, yrh, pull through two loops] twice, yrh, pull through all loops on hook.
tr/rb – raised treble at the back = yrh, insert hook from behind and from right to left around the stem of the stitch on the row below, and then complete the stitch normally.

Beret is worked from the top, entirely in the round...

Top section/crown of beret

With 5.0mm (US H/8, UK/Canadian size 6) Crochet hook

Make 3 ch, ss into 1st ch to form a ring
1st round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), work 11 tr into ring, ss into 4th of 4ch at beg of round. (12 sts)
2nd round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), 1 tr in tr at base of these 4ch, *2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (24 sts)
3rd round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), 2 tr in next tr, *1 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (36 sts)
4th round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), 1 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, *2 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (48 sts)
5th round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), 2 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, *3 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (60 sts)
6th round: 4ch (count as 1tr), 3 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, *4 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (72 sts)
7th round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), 4 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, *5 tr/rb, 2tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (84 sts)
8th round: 4ch (count as 1tr), 5 tr/rb, 2tr in next tr, *6 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (96 sts)
9th round: 4ch (count as 1tr), 6 tr/rb, 2tr in next tr, *7 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (108 sts)
10th round: 4ch (count as 1tr), 7 tr/rb, 2tr in next tr, *8 tr/rb, 2 tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round. (120 sts)
11th-15th round: 4ch (count as 1tr), 8 tr/rb, 1tr in next tr, *9tr/rb, 1tr in next tr, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4 ch at beg of round.

Fold of beret

1st round: 4 ch (count as 1tr), 7 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, *8 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4ch at beg of round. (108 sts)
2nd round: 4 ch (count as 1tr), 6 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, *7 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4ch at beg of round. (96 sts)
3rd round: 4 ch (count as 1tr), 5 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, *6 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4ch at beg of round. (84 sts)
4th round: 4 ch (count as 1tr), 4 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, *5 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4ch at beg of round. (72 sts)
5th round: 4 ch (count as 1tr), 3 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, *4 tr/rb, 2 tr tog, repeat from * ending with ss into 4th of 4ch at beg of round. (60 sts)

Beret Brim

Switch to size 4.0mm (US G/6, UK/Canadian Size 8) Crochet hook 

1st round: 4 ch (count as 1tr), 1 tr in each tr across.
2nd round: 4ch (count as 1 tr), tr/rb in each tr across.
Bind off.

Optionfor smaller size or snug fits!
Thread a piece of knitting elastic onto a tapestry needle and run it through row 2 of Beret Brim; the ridge that was formed will hide the elastic.

FINISHING

Weave in loose ends at the crown and brim.