Lana Grossa Beret Hat Knitting Pattern

Lana Grossa Beret in Cool Wool Big

What is Being Made

This is a classic beret hat pattern from Lana Grossa's Merino Edition collection. The beret is designed to fit head circumferences of 53–55 cm or 56–58 cm, with the finished beret measuring approximately 24 cm or 26.5 cm in diameter. The brim circumference is approximately 51 cm or 56 cm depending on size. This seamless, top-down knit creates a sophisticated, timeless accessory suitable for various occasions and styling preferences.

Techniques Used

The Lana Grossa Beret is constructed using several key knitting techniques that create its distinctive shape and structure:

• Seamless, top-down construction: The beret is worked from the crown downward, eliminating the need for seaming and creating a smooth, professional finish.
• Worked in the round: The pattern uses circular needles and double-pointed needles to create the fabric in continuous rounds, which is ideal for hat construction.
• I-cord foundation: The pattern begins with a 2 cm I-cord (worked on double-pointed needles with a slip-stitch technique) that serves as the starting point for the crown.
• Strategic increases: Evenly spaced yarn-over increases are worked throughout the crown section to expand the fabric from 4 stitches to the full width of 168 or 184 stitches, creating the beret's characteristic rounded shape.
• Turning ridge: A purl round creates a visible turning ridge that marks where the brim is folded to the wrong side, adding structural definition.
• Optional elastic insertion: The pattern allows for threading elastic through the brim for a secure, adjustable fit.

Stitches Used

The Lana Grossa Beret employs fundamental knitting stitches that combine to create the finished garment:

• Stockinette stitch (St st): The primary stitch throughout the beret, created by knitting every round. This smooth, classic stitch creates the main fabric body.
• Yarn-over increases (yo): Used strategically in the crown section to create evenly distributed shaping. Yarn-overs are worked through the round in a pattern that gradually expands the stitch count (K1, yo; K2, yo; K3, yo; K4, yo) until the desired width is achieved.
• Knit through the back loop (tbl): Applied to yarn-overs on alternating rounds to twist the stitches and maintain fabric integrity.
• Knit two together (k2tog): Used in the decrease round to reduce stitches from 168 or 184 down to 112 or 123 stitches, shaping the brim.
• Purl stitch: A single purl round creates the turning ridge that defines the brim fold.
• Bind-off: Standard bind-off secures the final edge.

Materials

The Lana Grossa Beret is designed to be worked in Cool Wool Big, a yarn composed of 100% pure wool100 grams of yarn, which provides 120 meters per 50-gram ball. The sample shown is worked in Wine (color 960).

Needles required include a 40 cm circular needle in size 3–3.5 mm and one set of size 3–3.5 mm double-pointed needles (dpns) for the crown section. The recommended gauge is 22 stitches and 32 rounds per 10 × 10 cm in stockinette stitch. Note that the yarn is worked at a slightly tighter gauge than the ball band recommendation, which contributes to the beret's structure and drape. Optional finishing materials include elastic (2 cm wide) if the crafter chooses to add an adjustable element to the brim.