Beret Scottish Bonnet Pattern Outlander Inspired

Scottish Highlander Beret Tam Bonnet Pattern by Knit Me One

What Is Being Made

This is an original Scottish Highlander Beret Tam Bonnet pattern designed by Patricia Askew of Knit Me One. The pattern creates a traditional Scottish-style beret bonnet, a structured hat with a distinctive flat crown characteristic of Highlander headwear. The design is inspired by classic Scottish heritage and is suitable for those seeking an authentic, timeless hat project with cultural significance.

Skill Level and Project Overview

Rated as Advanced Beginner to Intermediate, this knitting project is accessible to those with foundational knitting experience who are ready to tackle hat construction. The pattern includes multiple sizes to accommodate different head circumferences: Medium (20-22"), Large (22-24"), and Extra Large (24-26").

Knitting Techniques Used

This beret pattern employs several essential knitting techniques:

• Circular knitting: The project uses circular needles to create seamless, tubular fabric in the round, which is the standard method for hat construction
• Increases: Knit front and back (KFB) stitches are used to shape the crown and create the beret's characteristic rounded silhouette
• Decreases: Knit 2 together (K2tog) stitches are employed to shape and decrease stitches as needed for the hat's crown shaping
• Garter stitch or ribbing: The pattern begins with either a garter stitch band (alternating knit and purl rows) or optional K1, P1 ribbing for the brim, creating a structured edge
• Felting: The finished beret is designed to be felted, a crucial finishing technique that transforms the knitted fabric into a denser, more structured felt material characteristic of traditional Scottish bonnets

Stitches and Abbreviations

The pattern uses fundamental knitting stitches and abbreviations:

• K (Knit): Basic knit stitch
• P (Purl): Basic purl stitch
• KFB (Knit Front and Back): An increase stitch that creates an additional stitch by knitting into both the front and back of the same stitch
• K2tog (Knit 2 Together): A decrease stitch that combines two stitches into one
• Sts (Stitches): Unit of measurement for knitted fabric

Materials Required

Needles: The pattern requires 16-inch circular needles in both US Size 8 and Size 9, plus a set of Size 9 double-pointed needles (US) for working the crown decreases when the circumference becomes too small for circular needles.

Yarn: Approximately 210 to 275 yards of worsted weight wool is needed, depending on the size selected. The designer recommends Cascade 220 yarn, though any 100% worsted weight wool is suitable. Important: The pattern specifically requires non-superwash wool, as superwash-treated yarn will not felt properly, and felting is essential to achieving the authentic Scottish bonnet finish and structure.

Additional supplies: A tapestry needle is required for weaving in yarn ends upon completion.

Gauge Information

The pattern notes that gauge is not critically important for this project. Using a Size 9 needle, the approximate gauge is 9 stitches per 2 inches and 11 rows per 2 inches. This relaxed gauge requirement makes the pattern more forgiving for knitters and reflects the nature of felted projects, where the felting process itself adjusts and finalizes the fabric dimensions.

Pattern Structure

The pattern begins with casting on 80, 88, or 96 stitches (depending on size) using a Size 8 circular needle. The first rows establish the brim using either garter stitch (6 rows of alternating knit and purl) or optional K1, P1 ribbing, creating a finished edge before transitioning to the main body of the beret. The structured brim provides a polished, professional appearance to the finished hat.