City Walks Beret

City Walks Beret by Susan Crawford Vintage

What Is Being Made

The City Walks Beret is a classic, structured hat designed for intermediate crocheters. This striking beret features a tailored silhouette with a deep crown and firm brim, perfect for adding sophistication to everyday outfits. The design is worked seamlessly in the round, creating a polished, professional finish.

Crochet Techniques and Construction

This beret is constructed using a crown-down approach, beginning at the top of the hat and working downward to the brim. The design employs increases worked in pattern to gradually expand the fabric and create the characteristic beret shape. The crown depth can be customized by adjusting the number of increase rounds, allowing makers to personalize the fit and style of their finished hat.

The work is completed in continuous rounds without joining at the end of each round, which streamlines the construction process and creates seamless transitions between rounds. This technique is particularly effective for hat construction as it eliminates visible seams and join lines.

Stitches Used

The beret features a simple but effective textural stitch throughout the crown and body, creating visual interest and depth. The final brim is worked in double crochet (single crochet in US terminology), which creates a firm, structured band that holds the beret securely in place on the head.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The City Walks Beret is designed to be made with Susan Crawford Excelana 4 Ply yarn, a premium British wool option. The yarn is 100% British wool, offering warmth, durability, and a refined appearance. Each 50g skein provides 159 meters (174 yards) of yarn. The pattern requires 2 skeins, with actual usage of approximately 191 meters (209 yards) of fingering weight yarn, totaling 60 grams of fiber.

Gauge and Hook Size

The recommended gauge is 12 tuft stitches over 10 centimeters (4 inches) after blocking. This gauge was achieved using a 3mm (US C/2) crochet hook. Crocheters are encouraged to use an alternative hook size if necessary to obtain the correct gauge, as achieving proper gauge ensures the finished beret will fit correctly and drape as intended.

Pattern Notes and Customization

All pattern instructions are written with UK crochet abbreviations listed first, followed by US abbreviations in red text, making this pattern accessible to crocheters using either terminology system. The circumference of the beret can be easily altered by varying the number of increase rounds worked between designated points in the pattern, allowing for custom sizing. Additionally, the depth of the crown can be adjusted by working additional rounds, giving makers full control over the final fit and appearance of their beret.