Baskerville Hat

Baskerville Hat by Karie Westermann

What is Being Made

The Baskerville is a feminine and romantic beret inspired by Victorian gothic romance and the literary mystery of Sherlock Holmes. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a charming beret with an approximate finished diameter of 28cm, making it a lovely gift for anyone seeking a touch of dark and gloomy elegance. The design captures the aesthetic of Old Maiden Aunt and Victorian-inspired fashion, perfect for those who appreciate classic, mysterious style.

Techniques and Construction

The Baskerville beret is knitted in the round using circular needles or double-pointed needles, which allows for seamless construction and a polished finished garment. The pattern features a fully charted lace design, providing visual guidance alongside written instructions for knitters who prefer to follow charts. This advanced-level pattern requires familiarity with lace knitting techniques and the ability to read and interpret charted patterns accurately.

Stitches Used

The pattern employs classic lace stitches and decreases to create its romantic aesthetic. Key stitches include:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch forming the fabric base
• Yarn overs (yo) – creating the lace holes and openwork characteristic of the design
• Knit two together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used throughout the lace pattern
• Slip, slip, knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that balances the k2tog decreases
• Slip, knit two together, pass slipped stitch over (sk2p) – a double decrease that creates more dramatic shaping in the lace sections

These stitches combine to form the charted lace pattern that defines the beret's delicate, openwork appearance.

Materials and Gauge

The Baskerville requires approximately 175 meters of double-knitting weight yarn. The sample shown in the pattern was knitted using Maiden Aunt BFL DK, a 100% BFL (Blue-Faced Leicester) yarn with 205 meters per 100 grams. This natural fiber choice provides a soft, elegant drape suitable for a romantic beret.

The pattern is worked on two needle sizes to shape the beret. Construction begins with 3.25mm circular needles or double-pointed needles, then transitions to 4mm circular needles or double-pointed needles for later rounds. The gauge is measured over the blocked lace pattern at approximately 20 stitches and 28 rows per 10 by 10 centimeter swatch, worked in the lace stitch pattern itself. Proper blocking is essential to achieve accurate finished dimensions and to open up the delicate lace design.