Berroco Carneau PDF

Berroco Carneau Hat and Mittens Set by Amy Christoffers

Project Overview

The Carneau is an intermediate-level knitting design that includes a coordinating hat and mittens set. This project showcases stranded colorwork techniques using two complementary colors from the Berroco Vintage yarn line. The set is designed to be worked seamlessly in the round, creating polished, professional-looking pieces without the need for seaming.

Hat Construction

The hat is knitted seamlessly from the bottom up using the round, measuring approximately 20 inches in circumference and 9½ inches in length. This design employs stranded colorwork worked in the round, allowing knitters to carry yarn colors across the interior of the piece for a clean, finished look. The hat requires two sizes of circular needles: size 3 (3.25 mm) for the ribbed cuff and size 5 (3.75 mm) for the main body, enabling proper gauge and fabric elasticity at the brim.

Mittens Construction

The mittens are also worked seamlessly in the round, measuring approximately 8 inches around and 9½ inches in length. Like the hat, they feature stranded colorwork using the same two-color palette. The mittens are constructed using double-pointed needles (dpns) in size 3 (3.25 mm) for ribbed sections and size 5 (3.75 mm) for the main body. The pattern includes a thumb opening worked with waste yarn, a traditional technique that allows knitters to pick up and knit the thumb stitches after the main mitten is complete.

Techniques and Stitches

• Stranded colorwork: A two-color technique where both yarn colors are carried across the back of the work, creating intricate patterns visible on the right side
• Seamless construction: Pieces are worked in continuous rounds, eliminating the need for seaming
• Worked in the round: Uses circular needles and double-pointed needles to create tubular fabric
• Bottom-up construction: Both pieces begin at the lower edge and progress upward
• Stockinette stitch: The primary stitch used over the colorwork charts, creating a smooth, classic knit fabric
• Ribbing: Used at the cuffs for elasticity and a finished appearance

Yarn and Materials

The Carneau pattern calls for Berroco Vintage, a sport-weight yarn. The set requires one 100-gram hank each of two colors: #5106 Smoke (C1) and #51131 Citrus (C2). Sport-weight yarn creates a lightweight, drapable fabric suitable for accessories that need to be comfortable against the skin.

The project requires specific needles and notions: for the hat, one 16-inch circular needle in size 3 (3.25 mm), one circular needle in size 5 (3.75 mm), and one stitch marker. For the mittens, one set of four double-pointed needles in size 3 (3.25 mm) with three stitch markers (including one in a contrasting color to mark the beginning of rounds), and waste yarn to temporarily hold thumb stitches. Both projects require one set of four double-pointed needles in size 5 (3.75 mm) and a tapestry needle for weaving in yarn ends.

Gauge and Skill Level

The pattern is designed for intermediate knitters and requires a gauge of 24 stitches and 26 rounds over 4 inches in stockinette stitch using the larger needles and working over the colorwork charts. Accurate gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished measurements and ensuring the pieces fit properly.