Dylan Beret and Cowl Knitting Pattern

Dylan Beret and Cowl in Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen Paints

What Is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern from the Winter Breeze Collection creates two coordinating accessories: a beret and a cowl. The Dylan Beret is a classic, structured hat with a generous crown that measures 31½"/80cm at its widest point and stands 10¼"/26cm tall, with a lower edge circumference of 20½"/52cm when slightly stretched. The matching Dylan Cowl is a neck warmer with a circumference of 23¾"/60cm and length of 11"/28cm, designed to complement the beret as a complete set.

Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several key techniques to create visual interest and structure. The beret construction begins with a circular cast-on and uses increases to shape the crown from 80 stitches to 120 stitches, creating the characteristic rounded silhouette. A deliberate purl round creates a fold line that allows the beret to be worn with a turned-up edge. The pattern incorporates a decorative flower pattern section, which adds textural complexity beyond basic stockinette stitch. Specialized techniques include yarn-over manipulations and a complex decrease method (K5tog with wraps) that creates the flower motif by working multiple stitches together with additional yarn overs for dimensional effect.

Stitches Used

• Stockinette Stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout both pieces, creating a smooth, classic fabric on the right side with a bumpy texture on the wrong side
• Yarn Overs (yo): Used to create decorative openings and increase stitch count, particularly in the flower pattern sections
• Increases (inc 1): Used to shape the beret crown and transition from the ribbed lower edge to the wider body
• K5tog with wraps: A specialized decrease technique that combines slipping stitches, dropping wraps, and working multiple stitches together with yarn overs to create the three-dimensional flower pattern
• Purl rounds: Used functionally to create the fold line in the beret and as part of the special stitch abbreviations
• Slip stitches (sl1 with yf): Slip stitches worked purlwise with yarn at front, contributing to pattern definition

Materials

This pattern requires 3 × 50g balls of Juniper Moon Farm Fourteen Paints yarn in color 104 Serenity. Knitting needles include one size US 9/5.5mm circular needle measuring 16"/40cm long for working the main pieces in the round, plus a set of 5 size US 9/5.5mm double-pointed needles for the crown shaping sections where circular needle capacity becomes too large. Additional notions include stitch markers for tracking round beginnings and pattern repeats. The recommended gauge is 16 stitches and 24 rows to 4"/10cm over Stockinette stitch, and 15 stitches and 24 rows to 4"/10cm over the flower pattern, both achieved with US 9/5.5mm needles.

Pattern Overview

Designed by Claudia Wersing, this intermediate-level project combines accessible construction methods with decorative stitch work. The beret begins with a circular cast-on and progresses through stockinette sections punctuated by the decorative flower pattern charted section. The cowl follows a similar philosophy with its own gauge and stitch pattern specifications. Both pieces work in the round, making them ideal for knitters comfortable with circular needle techniques and ready to expand their stitch vocabulary with specialty abbreviations and dimensional decreases.