Gwen Slouchy Beret

July 13th, 2008 Posted in FOs, Knitting

I named this pattern “Gwen” after my sister, as it is her b-day gift (although belated, sorry sista!). After frogging a few initial versions, I am really happy with the final product! Also, I have to say the Kollage Yummy yarn is just that — yummy. The 80% bamboo makes it very soft also light-weight, so it’s great for summer.

So anyways, here’s the pattern:

Gwen Slouchy Beret

Yarn: 1 skein Kollage Yummy (I used the Mala Green)

Tools: 1 each of size 7 and 9 — 16″ circulars

Gauge: 4.5 stitches = 1″ on size 9’s

Vine Lace Pattern:
row 1: k1, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2 , yo
row 2: knit all stitches
row 3: yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo, k1
row 4: knit all stitches

With smaller needles, cast on 78 stitches. Join in the round.

Knit in 1×1 rib for 1.5″

Change to larger needles and (k2, m1) across entire row, increasing 39 stitches. This will give a total of 117 stitches.

Knit one row, placing a marker every 9 stitches.

Work Vine Lace Pattern (9 stitch pattern, repeated 13 times) for 4-7 inches, depending on how slouchy you want it. (I did about 6 inches for the hat in the picture).

Ending with row 4 of the vine pattern, decrease as follows:

1: K1, yo, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo (104)
2: K all stitches
3: Yo, k1, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, yo, k1 (91)
4: K all stitches
5: K1, yo, ssk, ssk, k2tog, yo (78)
6: K all stitches
7: Yo, ssk, k3tog, yo, k1 (65)
8: K all stitches
9: K1, yo, ssk, k2tog (52)
10: K all stitches
11: Ssk, k2tog, yo (39)
12: K all stitches
13: K2tog k1 (26)
14: K2tog (13)

Cut yarn, and use a tapestry needle to pull it through the remaining 13 stiches. Weave in ends, being mindful of the lace pattern.

Here is a view of the back, so you can see how the Vine Lace Pattern x 13 plays out:

  1. 52 Responses to “Gwen Slouchy Beret”

  2. By candywandymarshall on Jul 16, 2008

    This is my favorite. DUH! But I must say…Earl looks fantastic!!

  3. By Linda on Jul 16, 2008

    Thank you for sharing your pattern. It’s lovely and I’m looking forward to making it.

  4. By Lula on Jul 17, 2008

    Can’t wait for LA LA Land Slouchy!!!!Yes…my hat has a new name.

  5. By Jenny on Jul 29, 2008

    Hello there.

    I’m in the home stretch of making this cute little beret. Are there any corrections to the pattern? I ended up in some trouble with Row 1 & 5 which has a double ssk in each row. Is that right or a typo? Please advise.

    Thank you.

    Jenny

  6. By Lauren on Jul 31, 2008

    Jenny - The ssk’s sitting next to eachother are correct. I actually emailed you a word document with the decreases in a chart, if you’d prefer that view. Let me know if you don’t receive it!

    If anyone else would like to see this chart, let me know, and I can just post it on here.

    Thanks all for visiting!

  7. By candywandymarshall on Jul 31, 2008

    my hat is SO popular.

    Man-venture ends TODAY!

  8. By urbanknitrix on Aug 13, 2008

    Hi Lauren!

    Thanks for the cool pattern. I just completed mine, however out of a heavier yarn. I LOVE it and plan on making many more in different weights so I can see the pattern better. Again, thanks for the cuteness.

  9. By meredith on Aug 19, 2008

    I love this hat, and the version in jewel tones that was posted on ravelry sealed the deal. I’ve been looking for a beret style to knit, and I’m in love with the vine lace stitch. Thanks for the pattern! I would love to see the chart.

  10. By Marcy Bristo on Sep 8, 2008

    Lauren,
    I love the pattern so far…I’m starting row 9 of the decreases, and I have 65 stitches, which is right. Row 9 asks me to K1, yo, ssk, k2tog, and K1. I would need 6 stitches to make that happen, but I only have 5 per section. What should I do? Plus, if I could do what is being asked, I would end up with 5 stitches per section, but I should have 4 (total of 52) Marcy

  11. By Lauren on Sep 10, 2008

    Ack! Marcy, you are so right. I updated the pattern above to remove the last k1 in both row 9 and row 11 of the decrease pattern. Hopefully that didn’t screw you up too much.

    Glad you like the pattern, otherwise!

  12. By Beth on Oct 16, 2008

    Thanks for sharing your pattern it is really beautiful!

  13. By emma on Dec 7, 2008

    I know this is probably going to sound stupid, but when you get to the vine lace pattern, do you do row 1, 13 times, then row 2, 13 times etc. or do you do row 1 for the first 9 stitches, then row 2 for the next 9, followed by row 3, then row 4, then start from row 1 again.

    I know it’s a bit of a silly question, but I ended up frogging the ribbed bit so much at the beginning that I don’t want to screw this important bit up!
    otherwise this is such an amazing pattern & I’m so happy with how it is going so far, despite it being the first time I’ve ever used circular needles. Also, this pattern is so much more user friendly than some of the other lace beret patterns that are available on the internet!
    Thanks so much in advance!

  14. By Lauren on Dec 8, 2008

    Hi Emma,

    Yes, for the decrease rows, repeat each row I have listed 13 times. For example, row 1 would be [K1, yo, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2, yo] x 13. This will decrease 13 stitches, leaving 104 stitches.

    I have noted in parentheses the number of stitches you should have on your needle after each decrease row. Just make sure that your stitch count matches that, and you should be fine! Let me know if you have any other questions, though. : )

  15. By emma on Dec 23, 2008

    Hi Lauren,

    Thanks for responding so quickly, I was actually not at the decreasing part of the pattern and am still not, I have just completed the ribbing part at the start of the pattern.

    It is actually the vine lace pattern after the ribbing that I am concerned with, I am a little confused as to how to work it, so when doing the vine lace pattern, do I do row 1, 13 times, and then row 2, 13 times, followed by row 3 and row 4 each stitched 13 times.

    OR

    Do I do row 1 for the first 9 stitches, then row 2 for the following 9 stitches etc.

    Many thanks in advance.

    Emma

  16. By emma on Dec 24, 2008

    another concern i have with the vine lace pattern is that it is in fact an eleven stitch pattern as it uses 11 stitches rather than 9 in rows 1 & 3 and therefore, how can i repeat it 11 times, you can only repeat it 9 times.

    i’m very confused, any help would be greatly appreciated, im on the main vine lace stitch pattern, NOT the decreasing bit.

  17. By Greta on Dec 27, 2008

    Thank you for making this lovely pattern available! I am looking forward to perhaps making it with some yarn I have on hand, but I am confused as to what type you used. The pattern page says 4-ply fingering yarn, but when I looked up Kollage Yummy, that web-page says this is 8-ply DK yarn. Which is the correct weight for this patten?

  18. By Lauren on Dec 30, 2008

    Emma,

    Vine lace pattern is row 1 repeated 13 times (for one complete round), row 2 repeated 13 times (another complete round), row 3 repeated 13 times, etc etc. Perhaps it may make it easier to put a different colored marker at the beginning of your round, then once you slip the marker, you’ll know you need to move on to the next row of the vine lace pattern.

    Although the yo’s do create stitches, the k2tog and ssk will decrease stitches, so there should always be 117 stitches on your needle(s), no matter which round you are on.

    Sorry I didn’t respond right away, I was on vacation! Please let me know if you have any more questions.

    Lauren

  19. By Lauren on Dec 30, 2008

    Hi Greta,

    You should be fine with any yarn that gets gauge! Kollage Yummy is a summery yarn, so you may want something else if the goal is to keep your head warm!

    If you don’t get the correct gauge on the size 9’s with the yarn of your choice, just go up or down a needle size until you get the correct gauge.

    Lauren

  20. By Cassie on Jan 3, 2009

    Soooo…I knit one of these for myself (a raspberry beret :P )and wore it out for new years…..

    Then I had to knit another one for a friend who fell in love with it.

    And two more for my sisters. It’s super fast and getting faster. The last one took me a day! I’ve done 3 in the last week and a half and I’m halfway through the fourth!
    Great pattern! Thank you!

  21. By Mali on Jan 13, 2009

    This looks like a fun pattern! I’m excited to get started :D
    Could you email me the chart please?
    And will it make that much of a difference if I use a 20” circular needle instead of 16”?
    Thanks!
    ~Mali

  22. By Cassie on Jan 21, 2009

    I used a set of 5 dpn instead! I’m not sure is 20″ would be too long?

  23. By Pam on Jan 21, 2009

    I just finished my first beret last night thanks to you! Used the same yarn in an Ivory and it looks great. Thanks so much for the great pattern.

  24. By RACELIA GUNDERSON on Jan 30, 2009

    I would like to down load the Gwen slouch hat

  25. By mel on Jan 31, 2009

    thank you so much for the wonderful pattern, you are very clever!
    xxx

  26. By Kara on Mar 5, 2009

    Do you think it will be okay to use a slightly thicker yarn? I have a Lion Brand Cotton-Ease yarn that uses size 8 needles.If you think it’s alright, then should I get another size 10 needles for the second part of the hat (or the main lacy pattern part)?

    GREAT pattern! I love it! I couldn’t find another pattern like this!

  27. By Lauren on Mar 9, 2009

    Kara,

    It’s totally fine to use a thicker yarn, you just have to get gauge! Try out a swatch with 8s, 9s, 10s, and see what you get. Whichever needle you get the gauge I mentioned, 4.5 stitches = 1″, use that needle size for the main part, and use a needle size one or two times smaller for the ribbing at the beginning.

    Thank you so much, and glad you like the pattern!

    Lauren

  28. By Miriam on Mar 18, 2009

    I love this pattern, too! I can’t wait to make it. I have curly hair that sometimes looks unruly; since it’s too short for a pony tail I’m hoping this beautiful beret will save me from my bad hair days! Thanks so much for making it available to the public. You are giving a precious gift to the knitting community.

  29. By Susan on Mar 23, 2009

    I made this cool beret using about 175 yards of Manos del Uruguay dk , on 3.75 and 4.25 mm needles (circ. & dpn), i.e., US 5 & an older style US 6 which is almost a 7. I received compliments at my knitting group on the pattern and they are not easily impressed. I will make another one in cotton/linen tweed. With much appreciation.

  30. By Kara on Mar 29, 2009

    When you mean by “4-7 inches”, do you mean to measure from the beginning of the hat, or from where the pattern starts?

    (I’ve commented/asked you questions before, I hope I’m not bothering you with questions…>.<)

  31. By Lauren on Apr 2, 2009

    Kara,

    It’s no problem! I meant 4-7″ from where the ribbing ends. 7″ would be super slouchy, 4″ not so slouchy.

    Lauren

  32. By Cheryl on Apr 27, 2009

    Hi there, living in Australia, I am unfamiliar with the term ssk, could you explain please. Am intending to make this beret for my granddaughter with any luck.

  33. By Lauren on Apr 28, 2009

    Cheryl,

    Sorry, didn’t realize it wasn’t a universal term! ssk refers to “slip slip knit” — slip stitch knitwise, slip another stitch knitwise, then put your left needle through those slipped stitches and knit them together. A video representation of this decrease that I find helpful is here: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/decreases

    Let me know if you have any more questions!

    Lauren

  34. By Denise on May 17, 2009

    Thanks for the generous sharing of a beautiful pattern!

  35. By Tina on Jun 1, 2009

    Love love love this pattern! I’ve made two - one in a lighter yarn, but both are gorgeous.
    I’m probably an advanced beginner - and I’ve made a couple of mistakes, I think, but they’re not obvious at all :)
    Thanks for the pattern!

  36. By Lee-Anne on Aug 25, 2009

    Hi, What stitch is the gauge knitted over? What should the ribbed circumference measure?

    Thanks

    Lee-Anne

  37. By Lee-Anne on Aug 25, 2009

    Hi, Sorry to bother you again. Is the ribbing knitted on the size 7’s and the body of the beret knitted on the size 9’s?

    Thanks

    Lee-Anne

  38. By Lauren on Sep 1, 2009

    Hi Lee-Anne,

    Gauge swatch should be done in stockinette stitch. Sorry for not specifying that!

    Also, the ribbing is done in size 7’s and body is in size 9’s.

    Let me know if you have any more questions!

    Lauren

  39. By Dell on Sep 13, 2009

    Thanks, I just run needle through the last few stitches and beret is finished. I didn’t want too much slough and i did 5″ of main decorative section and beret is a good fit.

    Initially I thought the Vine Lace pattern would be easy as knitting instructions are repetitive but surprisingly it took a little more effort than i expected to make sure Rows 1 & 3 are balanced. That is because it is not possible to see the mistake on yr work till 2 rows later. It is well worth the effort as the decorative effect is striking and attractive.

  40. By Mississippi Scarlet on Oct 17, 2009

    Row 1 of the vine pattern is off..
    row 1: k1, yo, k2, ssk, k2tog, k2 , yo.

    I don’t have enough to do the second K2 if I only have 9 stitches to knit with. Maybe I’m doing something wrong but I’ve tried it 3times already I really don’t want to frog this beret.

  41. By Lauren on Oct 17, 2009


    Mississippi Scarlet,

    Maybe it is the yo’s that are throwing you off. When there is a yo, you aren’t using any of the 9 stitches:

    k1 (stitch 1)
    yo (none)
    k2 (stitch 2 and 3)
    ssk (stitch 4 and 5)
    k2tog (stitch 6 and 7)
    k2 (stitch 8 and 9)
    yo (none)

    Let me know if that still doesn’t make sense!

    Lauren

  42. By Mississippi Scarlet on Oct 19, 2009

    I will try it tomorrow..I have to frog what I already started.

  43. By Mississippi Scarlet on Oct 19, 2009

    I forgot to say thank you.

  44. By Mississippi Scarlet on Oct 19, 2009

    OMG!! I just started row1 of the Vine Pattern with your corrections and you were absolutely right,the YO was confusing me..thank you so much.

  45. By Helen on Nov 2, 2009

    What do you mean by K1, m1 when you change over to the larger needles?

  46. By Lauren on Nov 2, 2009


    Helen,

    k2, m1 means you’ll want to increase 1 stitch every 2 stitches. So, k2 (knit 2), then m1 (make 1). Any method of increasing 1 stitch will work!

    Lauren

  47. By Jody on Dec 11, 2009

    Thanks for a great pattern! I just finished mine and love it!

  48. By Purple Nya on Dec 20, 2009

    Hi Lauren!
    Im sorry to bug you about your beautiful cap, but Im jst starting how to knit( and I think Im pretty good for someone that learned off of youtube 3 months ago! :D ), but unfortunatly for me, Im not the greatest person with instructions…Im more of a visual learner. So I was wondering if it wasn’t too much to ask from you, when you are in another mood to make another cap, if you wouldn’t mind making a instructional video for me!I hope Im not asking too much from you, but it would absolutely make my day and winter, because I just love these little caps they’re so pretty, and I can’t find any videos on how to make them!Thank you for you time and hopefully a response!

  49. By Liz Adam on Dec 26, 2009

    Your pattern was very easy to follow. Placing the markers all the way around made the pattern easy to keep track of.

    I finished a black one and am starting on another varigated one…with another one waiting to do after the new one is finished.

    I am also working on a scarf in the same pattern!

    Thanks!!

  50. By Donna on Jan 17, 2010

    Hi!

    This is the first lace pattern I will ever be doing and I was wondering if you could email me the chart for the pattern?

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