Raspberry Beret (Free Knitting Pattern)

Knitwear designer Rita Taylor explores the most lasting knitting traditions in her new book, "Heirloom Knitting Skills: A Stitch in Time". This tutorial for her raspberry beret shows how she adds a modern touch to traditional knitting. She says:

"I have used obvious bobbles for this beret, but wanted to avoid the finished piece looking like a Christmas Pudding! I did this by arranging the bobbles vertically. The purl and knit stitches in between the bobbles give the beret some stretch when worn. Bobbles, knots and tufts are all different types of raised stitches and you could substitute any of them for the one I have used here."

Size: The beret is one size fits all

Materials:
- 2 x 1 3/4oz (50g) balls fuschia DK yarn
- Size 3 (3.25mm) straight needles
- Size 6 (4mm) straight needles

Gauge:
22 sts and 28 rows – 4in (10cm) over st st

Step 1

Bobble = MB: (k, p, k, p, k) all into next st. Turn, p5, turn, pass each st in turn over st nearest tip of needle.

Step 2

Using smaller needles, cast on 121 sts and work 1½in (3cm) in k1, p1 rib, decreasing 1 st on last row (120 sts).

Step 3

Zoom Image

Change to larger needles.
Row 1: K2, * p3, MB, p3, K1. Rep from * ending p3, MB, k2.
Row 2: K2, * p5tog, k3, p1, k3. Rep from * ending p5tog, k3, k2.
Row 3: K2, * p3, k1. Rep from * ending k2.
Row 4: K2, * p1, k3. Rep from * ending k2 instead of k3.
Rep rows 1–4 twice more then rows 1–3 again.
Row 16: K twice in 1st stitch, k1 * p1, k1, k twice in next st, k1. Rep from *.
Row 17: K1, p2, * k1, p4, MB, p4. Rep from * ending k1, p4, MB, p2, k1.
Row 18: K3, p1, * k4, p1, k4. Rep from * ending k3.
Rows 19 & 20: Knit and purl as set.
Row 21 & 22: Rep Rows 17 & 18.
Row 23: K1, p2tog, * k1, p1, p2tog, p1, k1, p1, p2tog, p1. Rep from * ending p2tog, k1.
Row 24: Knit and purl as set.
Row 25: K1, p1, * p3tog, k1. Rep from * ending p1, k1.
Row 26: K2tog, * p1, k1. Rep from * ending k2tog.
Row 27: (P1, k1) to end, k1.
Row 28: (K1, p3tog) to end, k1.
Row 29: (P1, k1, p1, MB) to last 3, p1, k1, p1.
Row 30: (K1, p1, k1, p5tog) to last 3, k1, p1, k1.
Row 31: (P1, k1) to end, k1.
Row 32: (K1, p1) to end, k1.
Row 33: (P1, skpo) to end, p1, k2tog.

Step 4

Thread yarn through remaining sts, draw up and fasten off leaving a long enough end to sew up back seam.

Step 5

Zoom Image

This project is excerpted with permission from "Heirloom Knitting Skills: A Stitch in Time" by Rita Taylor and published by Barron's Educational Series.