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Hat Description
Rollin Beret is a classic stocking stitch beret with a soft rolled brim and a cartwheel decrease pattern at the crown. It’s finished with an optional I-cord at the crown, tied in a knot.
Pattern Availability
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Pattern Support
If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.
Social Media
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#WoollyWormhead
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Yarn
135yd/123m/100g
Heavy Aran or Chunky weight, single or multi-ply yarn.
Needles & Notions
Set 5mm/UK6/US8 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle
Sample Details
Shown in HandPaintedYarn.com Handspun Bulky [135yd/123m per 100g; 100% Wool]
Note
To alter the size, increase or decrease your cast-on amount by 4 sts – each lot of 4 sts measures 1 in/2.5 cm around the brim.
Gauge
16 sts x 20 rows to 4in/10cm on 5mm needles over St.St.
Sizes
To fit size: 19 [20, 21, 22] in/48.25 [51, 53, 56] cm
Finished size: 17 [18, 19, 20] in/43.25 [46, 48.25, 51] cm
Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!
Skills Required
Cable Cast-on
Knitting in the round
Increases and Decreases
I-cords
Draw-through Bind-off
Blocking a Hand Knit Hat
Abbreviations
K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
R/rnd(s): rounds
st(s): stitch(es)
M1: pick up the horizontal loop before the next stitch, place it onto the left needle & knit into the front of it
k2tog: knit next 2 sts together
How To
Cast on 68 [72, 76, 80] sts
Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts.
Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.
Brim
Now work for the brim by knitting every round for 2 in/5 cm then work increase round once as follows:
Inc Rnd: *K2, M1; rpt from * to end [102, 108, 114, 120] sts
Body
Rnd 1: Knit all sts (creates St.St in the round)
This round forms the pattern for the main body. Work in pattern until the main body of the Hat (excluding the brim) measures approx. 3.75 [4, 4.25, 4.5] in/9.5 [10, 10.75, 11.5] cm
Crown
19in size jump to Rnd 4, 20in size jump to Rnd 3, 21in size jump to Rnd 2, 22in size start at Rnd 1.
Rnd 1: *K18, K2tog; rpt from * to end [114 sts]
Rnd 2: *K17, K2tog; rpt from * to end [108 sts]
Rnd 3: *K16, K2tog; rpt from * to end [102 sts]
Rnd 4: *K15, K2tog; rpt from * to end [96 sts]
Rnd 5: *K14, K2tog; rpt from * to end [90 sts]
You are decreasing 6 sts per round. Keep going like this, with one stitch less between the decreases on each round until you only have 6 sts remaining. You could use stitch markers to show where the lines of decreases are, but this method produces a visible line which looks nice and is easy to see as you work.
For a regular finish, break yarn and thread through remaining 6 sts and tighten to close.
For an I-cord finish at the crown, work next round and then work as I-cord for desired length before finishing.
Next Rnd: *K2tog; rpt from * to end [3 sts]
Finishing
Weave in all ends. This Hat will require a gentle blocking to appreciate the fullness of the shape. It is best to block this Hat flat, as a circle with the crown at the centre.
Need Help With This Pattern?
If you’ve a question about this pattern, please pop it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! I’m afraid I’m unable to offer help via email or private message, but you’re welcome to post in our forum.
Print This!
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ooh, it’s lovely! As soon as I have time I’ll give it a go. Just need to write this damn dissertation before I’m allowed to do any knitting :o(
Thanks for your lovely blog with its brilliant links. I want to try this beret though I’m quite new to knitting. If you buy from a US supplier, how do you convert the wool weight (ie which wool from handpaintedyarns.com is chunky?)
Hi Frankie,
The best way to convert yarn weights is to use the needle sizes. For instance, Maya is recommended on 5.5mm needles yet I use it for hats on 5mm, giving a tighter knit to keep the wind out.
It’s the same for handpaintedyarn.com. The yarn I used was the handspun bulky wool/kettle dyed, which has a gauge of 4 sts per inch (same as maya). Several of their yarns have the same gauge so are easily substituted. To sum up, gor for a yarn that wants 5-5.5mm needles, with a gauge of around 16 or 17 stitches to 10cm/4″.
Hope that helps! And if you do knit the beret, please let me know how you get on 🙂
Thanks Woolly, I’ve ordered some wool from handknitted yarns and will keep you posted.
Frankie
I made the beret at last. I’m very proud of it (though it’s not as good as yours). Thanks for the pattern, and for telling me about Handpaintedyarn.
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4384/282/1600/beret.jpg
http://photos1.blogger.com/blogger/4384/282/1600/beret2.jpg
Hi, I made this hat and loved it so much that i’m making another.
It was my very first hat too 🙂 I’m not convinced that it turned out the same way, but I absolutely love it, especially the pattern the decrease makes.
pics are here
http://joodydoody.livejournal.com/126994.html#cutid1
Hi Woolly! Thank you so much for a fab free pattern. Never made a hat before and knitted this one today. Cripes, I’m pleased with this hat! Here are is a photo. Sorry the photo isn’t that good.x
http://theknittingprincessandthepea.blogspot.com/
Hi Wooly, thank you so much for this pattern! I think I’m gonna try all your patterns, I love them so much!
Here are some photos of me and your hat : http://angsoka.canalblog.com/archives/2006/10/08/2859497.html
As I’m a french knitter, I’ve made a translation of your pattern. Do you allow me to publish it on my blog ? (Of course with the copyright and a link to your blog)
Bye,
Elisa.
Sorry if this is really obvious, but is the pattern US or British? Thanks for your help!
Hi Maddie,
The pattern is both – there’s no real difference between US and English patterns, so long as the needle size is in metric and the gauge is clear!
HTH
Hi I’m new to knitting and would like to knit this on a circular needle. Could you please help with any tips for ‘not twisting’ and ‘joining correctly’. Also what do you mean by ‘sizing down’?
Many Thanks!
Jasmine
Hi Jasmine,
If you’re knitting this ona circular, stretch the cord out after casting on and make sure the stitches haven’t curled and twisted around – twist them back if they have to make them all sit straight. Once the are straight, bring your needle tips together and start the first round.
Down-sizing? Think that basically means that as you decrease for the crown, you’ll have to few stitches on a circular to work comfortably, so will need to change to DPN’s or work on 2 circulars.
HTH!
I just finished knitting this lovely hat. I used a heavy worsted weight handspun yarn and gave the hat to my mom.
A picture:
http://farm1.static.flickr.com/167/376134072_856198c57f.jpg
Hi, i’m in the process of trying to make this hat and i’m a little confused. Are you supposed to k1,m1,k1 in each row for 5 inches or are you supposed to do it once and then knit normally for 5 inches? what is the exact order? thanks!
You only work the increase round(s) once and then work plain for the body of the Hat… else you’d end up with a ridiculous amount of stitches on your needles!
HTH 🙂
I have a bulky thick and thin that has been staring at me for years, Hoping it works for this pattern,
I’ve knit this beret in chunky thick and thin and the texture really plays well with the shape!
Is the smallest size for a child, and then small, medium, large for adults? Trying to figure out which size to make. Thanks.
Head sizes don’t vary as much as folks think – a 19 inch head could be a child size but also a small adult size. I’ve put together a sizing guide here:
https://www.woollywormhead.com/blog/2009/9/26/hat-sizing-guide
Your best bet is to grab a tape measure and check what size your, or your recipient’s, head is 🙂