Koigu Koigu Fun Beret & Cap Hat Knitting Pattern

Koigu Fun Beret & Cap

What Is Being Made

This free downloadable knitting pattern by Maie Landra for Koigu Wool Designs presents two classic hat styles: a beret and a cap. Both designs are worked from the same foundational pattern with variations in shaping and finishing. The pattern accommodates a head circumference of 20 inches and is suitable for intermediate knitters seeking a seamless, structured hat project.

Techniques Used

Both the beret and cap are created using seamless, top-down construction, meaning they are worked in the round from the crown downward. This technique eliminates the need for seaming and creates a continuous, unified fabric. The pattern employs strategic increases in the early rounds to expand from a small cast-on to the full circumference, followed by body rounds and decreases to shape the crown closure.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern utilizes fundamental knitting stitches including:

• Knit stitch (K) for stockinette sections
• Purl stitch (P) for textural variation
• M1-b (make one through back loop) for invisible increases distributed strategically throughout the crown expansion
• K2tog (knit two together) for decreases that shape the beret's crown
• Ribbing patterns including K2, P2 ribbing for the beret body and K1, P1 ribbing for finishing edges on both designs

The cap features a double stitch pattern alternating between K2, P2 and P2, K2 ribbing for textural interest in the body.

Materials and Needles

This pattern calls for Koigu Premium Merino yarn, requiring 2 skeins to complete either design. Needles specified are 3mm (US size 2) for the main body and 2.5mm (US size 1) for ribbed edges and finishing. The pattern is designed to be worked on three needles in the round, with a long yarn tail cast-on to close the central hole after completion.

Gauge and Fit

The recommended gauge is 14 stitches and 22 rows per 2-inch square in stockinette stitch. Achieving proper gauge is essential for the finished hat to fit a 20-inch head circumference; the pattern notes that adjustments can be made by modifying stitch gauge if needed.

Cap Construction Details

The cap version begins with 12 stitches cast onto three 3mm needles and increases through rounds 2 to 14, building to 90 stitches in the round. The crown expands further through round 20, reaching 144 stitches. The body is then worked in the double stitch pattern (alternating K2, P2 and P2, K2 ribbing) to the desired length. The cap finishes with 5 rounds of K1, P1 ribbing worked on 2.5mm needles before casting off.

Beret Construction Details

The beret follows the same initial increase sequence through round 14, reaching 90 stitches in the round. Increases continue through round 49, expanding to 138 stitches across three needles (46 stitches per needle). Plain knit rounds are worked from round 50 to 58. The beret crown is then shaped through strategic decreases using K2tog in rounds 59 through 75, gradually reducing stitch count. The pattern concludes with 4 rounds of K1, P1 ribbing on 2.5mm needles before casting off.

Pattern Information

This pattern is provided as a free downloadable PDF from Koigu Wool Designs and is intended for individual, non-commercial use only. The design is credited to Maie Landra and carries a copyright notice spanning 1996-2017.