Sweet tea slouch

Sweet Tea Slouch Knitted Beret

What Is Being Made

The Sweet Tea Slouch is a simple and sweet slouchy beret designed by Mindy Wilkes. This knitted hat features a relaxed, comfortable fit with a classic beret silhouette. The finished hat has a band circumference of 16.5 inches (42 cm) and is designed to accommodate various head sizes with its slouchy construction.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental knitting techniques to create its structure and shaping. The pattern begins with casting on stitches and joining for knitting in the round, a core technique for hat construction. The design incorporates ribbed banding at the base, which provides stretch and helps the hat sit securely on the head. Strategic increases are worked into the body of the hat to expand the stitches from the initial cast-on count, creating the characteristic slouchy shape. The pattern uses both circular needles and double-pointed needles, allowing knitters to transition between needle types as the circumference decreases or as preferred for their knitting style.

Stitches and Abbreviations

The Sweet Tea Slouch utilizes a variety of essential knitting stitches to achieve its texture and shaping:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch that creates the primary fabric
• Purl (p) – used in the ribbed band pattern to create textural contrast
• Make One (m1) – an increase stitch used to add stitches for shaping
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – a decrease stitch for shaping
• Yarn Over (yo) – creates decorative eyelets or increases
• Slip Slip Knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease stitch
• Slip Slip Slip Knit (sssk) – a double decrease for more dramatic shaping

The pattern begins with a ribbed band worked in a k2, p2 repeat pattern, which creates vertical lines of texture and provides elasticity. The body transitions into stockinette stitch with strategic increase rounds to shape the slouch.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Sweet Tea Slouch requires 200 yards (183 meters) of sport weight yarn. The pattern is shown worked in MadelineTosh Pashmina, a luxury yarn blend consisting of 75% superwash wool, 15% silk, and 10% cashmere in the colorway Rose. This fiber composition provides softness, drape, and durability ideal for a hat worn close to the face.

The project calls for US 4 (3.5 mm) circular needles measuring 16 inches and double-pointed needles of the same size, or whatever needle size is needed to achieve the specified gauge. A stitch marker is essential for tracking the beginning of each round, and a yarn needle is needed for weaving in ends upon completion.

Gauge and Finishing

The pattern specifies a gauge of 21 stitches and 34 rounds per 4 inches (10 cm) in the pattern after blocking. Achieving proper gauge is crucial for ensuring the finished hat fits correctly at the specified 16.5-inch (42 cm) band circumference. The pattern recommends blocking the finished hat to set the stitches and achieve the intended measurements and drape.