Scottish Beret Outlander Knitting Pattern
THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.The Scottish Beret Outlander Knitting Pattern will allow you to create a slouchy beret in the style of the MacKenzie Clan grey berets seen worn in all seasons of the Outlander series.
This beret is knit flat – back and forth on straight needles, then seamed.
It is a great project for anyone new to knitting.
Scroll down to view the free pattern, or 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 bulky/chunky/12-ply yarn weight and has a really good fit.
Just enough slouch but also really stylish to wear!
You can see more beret patterns here:
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 – The 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.
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
- Traditional Scottish Knitting Patterns
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 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 patterns (1×1 and 2×2 ribbing)
- You can see help for seaming using the mattress stitch (the mattress stitch – how to seam knitting).
Scottish Beret Outlander Knitting Pattern
Notes
Skill Level – Basic (Beginner)
The beret knits quickly, and the simple design makes for a relaxing and enjoyable knit.
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 the 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.
Size Information
- To fit a regular-sized head (around 22/24 inches).
- Diameter – 12 inches/31cms
Gauge – 10 x 10 cm/4 x 4 inches = 11 sts/18 rows in stocking stitch.
The Supplies You Need
Yarn
La Mia Just Wool in Grey LT002 50g/116m/126yd x 2.
Yarn notes
- Please note that the yarn used is made with 100% recycled wool.
- You can substitute with any DK/Light worsted/8ply yarn.
- Yarn weight – Light Worsted Yarn 04/DK/8 ply.
- I knit this yarn with two strands together for a heavier chunky/bulky knit.
- If you want to knit with one single strand only then you will need bulky/chunky/12-ply yarn.
Abbreviations
- Alt – Alternative
- Beg – Beginning
- Cont – Continue
- CO – Cast on
- Foll – Following
- K – Knit
- K2tog – Knit the next 2 stitches together
- M1 – Make one stitch
- 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
Pattern Instructions
With 7 mm (US 10.5) needles cast on 61 sts.
- Row 1 (RS): K2, *P1, K1* rep from * to last st, K1.
- Row 2 (WS): K1, *P1, K1* rep from * to end.
- Rep the last 2 rows – 3 times more.
- Next row: *Rib 2, M1, rib 3, M1; rep from * to last st, rib 1. (85sts)
- *Please note where it says to rib 2 and rib 3, then rib 1 – this means to work only two stitches, then only three stitches, and finally only one stitch. You have to keep these stitches in the rib pattern.
Change to 8 mm (US 11) needles and work in patt as follows:
Starting with a Purl row, work 13 rows in stocking stitch.
Decrease
Keeping continuity of patt – shape as follows:
- Row 1: K1, *K2tog, K10: rep from * to end. (78sts)
- Row 2: this row and every alt row – Purl.
- Row 3: K1, *K2tog, K9: rep from * to end. (71sts)
- Row 5: K1, *K2tog, K8: rep from * to end. (64sts)
- Row 7: K1, *K2tog, K7: rep from * to end. (57sts)
- Row 9: K1, *K2tog, K6: rep from * to end. (50sts)
- Row 11: K1, *K2tog, K5: rep from * to end. (43sts)
- Row 13: K1, *K2tog, K4: rep from * to end. (36sts)
- Row 15: K1, *K2tog, K3: rep from * to end. (29sts)
- Row 17: K1, *K2tog, K2: rep from * to end. (22sts)
- Row 19: K1, *K2tog, K1: rep from * to end. (15sts)
- Row 20: (P2tog) 7 times, P1. (8sts)
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 on social media.
If you enjoyed making the beret, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.
If you are on Facebook, stop over to the handylittleme Facebook group and share a photo.
I’d love to see your work.
Happy knitting!
I love both of the berets. I am making them for my sister and myself along with the Claire’s Carolina shawl.
How do I adjust the pattern for a much smaller head? I need 21 for my sister and 19.5 for me.
Thank you!
Hello Cathleen,
You could try casting on fewer stitches – for example, 51 sts instead of 61 and then alter the decreases also.
You could instead use a smaller needle size – perhaps a 6mm (US 10) for the brim, then a 7mm (US 10.5) for the main body of the beret.
The bulky yarn could be used with those needle sizes also.
I hope that helps!
Louise
Hi Louise,
I’m looking forward to finishing this beret but I’m stuck on: Next row: *Rib 2, M1, rib 3, M1; rep from * to last st, rib 1. (85sts)
I’m a beginner and interpret this to mean: K P M1(K) P K P M1(K) P K M1(P) K P K M1(P)
Am I close? Any help you can give me I’d appreciate.
Thank you for sharing these amazing patterns, I thoroughly enjoyed completing the Carolina shawl
Hello Shanie,
For that row – *Rib 2, M1, rib 3, M1; rep from * to last st, rib 1. (85sts)
You will rib 2 (K1, P1) make one stitch, rib 3 (P1, K1, P1) make one stitch, then repeat to the end of the row (making sure after the stitch you created is a P stitch).
I hope that helps!
Louise
Hi Louise,
I have to confess I had the same trouble as Shanie, who wrote to you back in 2022, with that increase row. To me it interprets as make 2 ribs, M1, make 3 ribs, M1 and so on. I cried quarts when I came out with something like 72 stitches! So happy I will be able to re-use the yarn, and I’m going to take a break before getting back to it. I’m wondering if others might have had the same problem. Can’t wait to get started on my chosen sweater, which will be next. Thanks!
Anne
Hello Anne,
I’m sorry that wasn’t clear enough – I added a note to the pattern to make it a little clearer for anyone who misunderstands what that instruction means.
It is meant to mean that you are only knitting two stitches in rib, then three and finally one – keeping in the ribbing pattern.
I hope that helps,
Louise
That extra explanation in the directions worked like magic. I finally got back to my beret, and I’m about halfway through that row with no mistakes. Thank you so much!