Deep Rib Beret

Deep Rib Beret by Martha Wissing Designs

What Is Being Made

The Deep Rib Beret is a beginner-friendly knitted hat designed for adult women. This classic beret style features a finished brim circumference of 15 inches (38 cm) without stretching and a total length of 9 inches (22.9 cm). The design offers a sophisticated, structured silhouette that combines traditional beret styling with modern yarn choices and finishing options.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

This beret is constructed using straightforward knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The pattern begins with a deep 2 x 2 ribbing at the brim, which creates a snug, elastic edge that sits comfortably on the head. The ribbed foundation provides both stretch and recovery, ensuring the hat maintains its shape through wear and washing.

The crown shaping employs easy, concentric circle decreases, a technique that gradually reduces stitches in circular rounds to form the rounded top of the beret. This decrease method is intuitive and forgiving, making it ideal for knitters new to hat construction. The decreases are worked in concentric circles, meaning they radiate outward from the center crown, creating an even, symmetrical shaping.

The beret is finished with an optional faux fur pompom at the crown, adding a luxurious and decorative touch that enhances the classic beret aesthetic.

Stitches Used

• 2 x 2 Ribbing: A fundamental knit stitch pattern alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches. This creates vertical columns of texture that provide elasticity and a polished appearance at the brim.
• Stockinette Stitch: Implied in the body of the beret above the ribbed cuff, this basic stitch creates a smooth, flat fabric.
• Decreases: The pattern uses concentric circle decreases to shape the crown, reducing stitch count progressively to form the rounded top.

Yarn and Materials

The Deep Rib Beret is designed to be knitted with two yarns held together simultaneously, combining luxury fibers for warmth, softness, and visual interest.

Yarn Option 1: One hank of Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Tigers Eye Mix (100 grams / 215 yards) paired with one ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Bark (25 grams / 230 yards).

Yarn Option 2: One hank of Berroco Ultra Alpaca in Charcoal Mix (100 grams / 215 yards) paired with one ball of Rowan Kidsilk Haze in Wicked (25 grams / 230 yards).

Berroco Ultra Alpaca is a premium yarn composed of alpaca fiber, known for its exceptional softness, warmth, and breathability. Rowan Kidsilk Haze is a delicate, lightweight yarn made from kid mohair and silk, adding luxury, drape, and subtle sheen to the finished beret. Holding these two yarns together creates a warm and luxurious fabric with excellent insulating properties and a refined appearance.

Needles and Tools

• 16-inch circular knitting needle, size 9 (5.5 mm) for the main body
• 16-inch circular knitting needle, size 7 (4.5 mm) for the ribbed cuff
• Double-pointed needles (dpn) size 9 (5.5 mm) for crown decreases when stitches become too few for circular needles
• Stitch marker for tracking round beginnings
• Optional faux fur pompom for finishing

Gauge and Sizing

The pattern is designed to a gauge of 18 stitches over 4 inches (10.2 cm) in the main fabric. This gauge is achieved using size 9 (5.5 mm) needles with the two yarns held together. The smaller size 7 (4.5 mm) needles are used for the ribbed cuff to create a tighter, more elastic edge. One size is offered to fit adult women, with the 15-inch brim circumference providing a comfortable, standard fit.

Skill Level

Rated as an easy, beginner-friendly project, the Deep Rib Beret is an excellent introduction to hat knitting. The