Beret Knitting Pattern (Beginner Friendly!)
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.This beret knitting pattern will knit up quickly, and the finished item will definitely keep you looking stylish.
I wanted to share with you an easy flat knit beret, that you can make in around 2 hours and is an excellent project for anyone who is learning how to knit.
This hat is not knit in the round, it is knit flat with straight needles and then seamed.
Scroll down for the free pattern, or you can purchase a printer-friendly ad-free PDF here.
Inspired By the Clan Mackenzie Berets From The Outlander Series
I designed three berets as part of my new Outlander Collection inspired by the clan Mackenzie.
This beret has been knit with Aran weight yarn/Worsted weight yarn/10 Ply yarn and has a good fit.
Just enough slouch but also really stylish to wear on a wintry day!
You can see more beret patterns here:
Knitted Beret Pattern Straight Needles
The slouchy beret was knit flat – back and forth on straight needles.
It is then seamed using an invisible seam, I used the mattress stitch.
This hides the seam so you can’t see it at all, only on the inside.
The hat is really easy for anyone who is new to knitting and wants to make something amazing for themselves or to gift!
Related Post: How To Knit A Hat For Complete Beginners (+ Video Tutorial)
More Outlander Knitting Patterns
I wanted to make an Outlander collection of knits that are inspired by both Claire and her daughter Brianna, from Sontag shawls, mittens, and scarves.
Check out all of the Outlander free knitting patterns here. – Outlander Pattern Library
You can see a roundup of Outlander Knitting Patterns here. – Outlander Patterns {Beginner + Intermediate}
There are also the Outlander Pattern Collection Ebooks you can view in my shop below:
- The Ultimate Outlander Knitting Pattern Collection – With 39 Knitting Patterns.
- The Complete Outlander Knitting Pattern Bundle – With 55 Knitting Patterns
Popular Patterns
- Outlander Carolina Shawl Pattern
- Claire’s Rent Shawl Knitting Pattern
- Outlander Brianna Fingerless Gloves Pattern
- Outlander Claire’s Cable Knit Wrist Warmers
- Outlander Cowl Knitting Pattern (Claire Season 1)
- Jenny’s Shawl Knitting Pattern (Outlander Knit)
- Journeycake Sontag Shawl Knitting Pattern
- Highlander Cable Knit Hat Pattern
Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:
This pattern is great for any beginner knitters.
- Knitting cast-on methods
- Knitting Lessons
- How to knit – a complete beginner’s guide
- How to cast on knitting
- How to cast off knitting for total beginners (step by step)
- How to knit garter stitch
- How to knit the purl stitch (for beginners + a video tutorial)
- How to knit stockinette stitch (for beginners)
- How to read knitting patterns for beginners
- Knitting abbreviations and terms (US and UK)
- How to knit rib stitch
- You can see help for seaming using the mattress stitch (the mattress stitch – how to seam knitting).
Notes
Skill Level – Basic (Beginner)
The beret knits up quickly, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
Size Information
To fit a head circumference of around 22/24 inches.
Diameter – 10 inches / 26cms
Gauge – 10 x 10 cm /4 x 4 inches = 18 sts / 24 rows in stocking stitch.
Copyright Info
- Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern.
- If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
- You may sell items produced using this pattern.
- Do NOT use copyrighted photos for your product listing.
- In all product listings please credit Handy Little Me (Louise Bollanos) as the designer.
- For the copyright T&C please read my Terms of Use.
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
Yarn notes
- Please note that the yarn used is made with 100% wool.
- You can substitute with any worsted/10ply yarn.
- Yarn weight – Medium Weight Yarn 04/Worsted/Aran/10 ply
Needle Size
You will need smaller needles and larger needles for this pattern…
Notions
- Tape measure
- Darning needle
- Scissors
Abbreviations / Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK) List
- Alt – Alternative
- Beg – Beginning
- Cont – Continue
- CO – Cast on
- Foll – Following
- K – Knit
- KFB – Knit into the front and back of the stitch to increase
- K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
- P – Purl
- P2tog – Purl the next 2 stitches together
- Patt – Pattern
- St – Stitch
- Rem – Remaining
- Rep – Repeat
- Rib – work in ribbing K1, P1
- RS – Right side
- WS – Wrong side
How To Knit A Beret
- Cast on and knit the brim
With 4mm (US 6) needles cast on 80 sts.
Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1 rep from * to the end of the row.
Row 2 (WS): *K1, P1 rep from * to the end of the row.
Rep the last 2 rows – 3 times more so that the piece measures 4cm/1.5 inches from the cast-on edge.
- Knit the main body of the beret
Change to 5mm (US 8) needles and work in patt as follows:
Next row: *K1, KFB – rep from * to the end of the row. (120sts)
Starting with a P row, work in st st until the piece measures 5.5 inches/14cm from the cast-on edge. - Decrease
Keeping continuity of patt – shape as follows:
Row 1: K1, *K2tog, K10: rep from * to end, K2tog, K9. (110 sts)
Row 2: this row and every alt row – Purl.
Row 3: K1, *K2tog, K9: rep from * to end, K2tog, K8. (100 sts)
Row 5: K1, *K2tog, K8: rep from * to end, K2tog, K7. (90 sts)
Row 7: K1, *K2tog, K7: rep from * to end, K2tog, K6. (80 sts)
Row 9: K1, *K2tog, K6: rep from * to end, K2tog, K5. (70 sts)
Row 11: K1, *K2tog, K5: rep from * to end, K2tog, K4. (60 sts)
Row 13: K1, *K2tog, K4: rep from * to end, K2tog, K3. (50 sts)
Row 15: K1, *K2tog, K3: rep from * to end, K2tog, K2. (40 sts)
Row 17: K1, *K2tog, K2: rep from * to end, K2tog, K1. (30 sts)
Row 19: K1, *K2tog, K1: rep from * to end, K2tog. (20 sts)
Row 20: *P2tog rep from * to the end of the row. (10 sts) - Making Up
Break yarn and thread through the rem sts, draw up tightly, and fasten off securely.
Using a flat seam (the mattress stitch) seam up the hat and weave in any loose ends.
Share your work with us…
I love seeing your finished projects.
If you enjoyed making the beret, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme or #handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.
I’d love to see your work!
Do you. Know the stitch numbers to make the ban slightly smaller? I made it as stated but it feels a little big. Thanks
Hello Diane,
To make the beret smaller you could try casting on 70 stitches or less – but you would have to work out the decreases from whatever number of stitches you decide to cast on.
Let me know how it goes!
Louise
Do I just do a knit 1 and purl 1 on the same row or do I do the knit 1 first and then purl 1 after the knit row for the Brim? ¿
Hello Dayna,
After you have worked the brim, you will start to work in stockinette stitch, the first row is a knit row, where you will increase, then the following row is a purl row.
You will then continue to work in stockinette stitch until the piece measures 5.5 inches.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Thank you Louise for your reply , I am working on the Beret hat right now!
OMGGG, Thank you I was wondering how to do the main body of the hat has im quite a newbie to the knitting world
thank you for the pattern but I loathe Outlander, it could have been so much better but the history is so, so poor like someone had two ideas and made up some cartoon nonsense to fill in between, it’s agony to watch, I buy the books second hand and throw them in the trash
Thanks for the reply. But if I cast off normally, how can I do this step:
Break yarn and thread through the rem sts, draw up tightly, and fasten off securely.
?
Great question! When the pattern says to “break yarn and thread through the rem sts, draw up tightly, and fasten off securely,” it’s usually referring to a method used when you’re left with just a few stitches—typically at the very top of the beret.
Instead of a traditional cast off (like you’d do at the edge of a scarf), you’ll want to cut the yarn, leaving a long enough tail, and use a yarn needle to thread that tail through the remaining stitches while they’re still on your needle. Then you pull the yarn tight like a drawstring to close the hole, and weave in the end securely on the inside. So no need to bind off the usual way—just gather the stitches up at the end.
Hope that helps clarify things!
My beret does not look like the picture you have….The purl stitches show more. Did I do something wrong?
Hi Hannah! Thanks for making the beret and for your note 😊
A few quick things to check when the purl bumps show more than in the photos:
Right side vs. wrong side: Make sure you’re looking at the stockinette (smooth knit) side as the outside. It’s easy to flip a beret inside out after blocking.
Blocking magic: A good block evens everything out. Soak, gently squeeze, then stretch over a dinner plate (RS facing out) so the top is smooth and the brim stays neat. Let it dry fully.
Tension/needles: If your purls are popping, your tension might be a touch snug. Next time you can try going up one needle size for the crown/body (keep the brim size the same) to relax the fabric.
Yarn choice: Very textured or lofty yarns can emphasize purl bumps. A smoother yarn gives a flatter, sleeker stockinette.
If you’d like, send a quick photo via email and tell me which yarn/needle size you used 💛🧶