Snowflake Beret

Snowflake Beret by Amanda Clark

What is Being Made

The Snowflake Beret is a seasonal knitted hat designed to fit an average-sized head (21 inches circumference) with a finished diameter of approximately 10 inches (25.5 cm) when laid flat. This slouchy beret features decorative beaded snowflake motifs worked into the fabric, creating a festive winter accessory perfect for cold-weather celebrations and holiday seasons.

Knitting Techniques Used

This beret is knitted in the round as a single continuous piece, worked from the bottom up. The construction begins with a long tail tubular cast on method, which creates a professional, finished edge ideal for hat projects. The design incorporates bead placement techniques, with silver seed beads integrated into the knit fabric to form snowflake patterns. The slouchy silhouette is achieved through strategic shaping as the piece is worked upward on circular needles.

Stitches and Stitch Details

The primary stitch used throughout this beret is stocking stitch (stockinette stitch), which creates a smooth, classic fabric surface that allows the beaded snowflake motifs to stand out prominently. The gauge is worked at 28 stitches and 34 rows over 4 inches using 3.25mm needles, ensuring consistent fabric density and proper fit. A stitch marker is used to track the beginning of each round during the in-the-round construction.

Materials and Needles

This beret requires 159 meters (173 yards) of J C Rennie Supersoft 4ply yarn in shade 273 Blueprint, a pale blue colorway that provides an elegant backdrop for the beaded embellishments. The project calls for 950 silver seed beads in size 8, which create the sparkly snowflake details throughout the design. Needle requirements include 2.75mm straight knitting needles for the cast-on edge, 2.75mm and 3.25mm circular needles (40cm length) for working the main body in the round, and 3.25mm double-pointed needles (dpns) for the crown decreases. The combination of needle sizes allows for smooth transitions between different sections of the hat.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with some experience beyond basic techniques. The combination of in-the-round knitting, bead placement, and shaping requires familiarity with circular needle work and stitch manipulation, though the straightforward stocking stitch base keeps the project accessible to advancing knitters.