The berenie

I've been wanting to knit a hat that is a cross between a slouchy beret and a beanie. So I have fused several patterns that I have used over the years to come up with this simple pattern, a guide actually since I am no pattern writer. The first one I made from a yarn I spun last summer and had no idea what I was going to use it for. It is 7 WPI, so, a heavy worsted/lt.bulky.

It is sheltand with burgandy dyed merino, with some fancy little wrappings I did with a single strand of chartreuse dyed merino.


It turned out a little looser than I wanted, so the next one I did with an alpaca/merino blend roving I had bought a long time ago and been stashing away waiting for the right project! This was it, I was finally going to use this lovely fiber. I 3 plied it with a single strand of dyed silk I hand spun on a drop spindle last summer. It was only 1 more WPI than the last yarn, but the alpaca has more drape and can be knitted a bit tighter. I am very happy with this one and it has what I was shooting for. Not quite a beanie and not slouchy/floppy like a beret. So this is my out line of a pattern.
Size 10 1/2 circulars
size 9 circulars
size 9 DPNS
C.O. 72 st. on larger needles
4 rows of K2, P1 ribbing
switch to smaller circulars and K one round
inc row, K 7, KF&B, repeat to end of round
K 1 round
K 8, KF&B, repeat to end of round
K 1 row
K 9, KF&B, repeat to end of round
K 1 round
K 10, KF&B, repeat to end of round
Knit all rounds til piece measures 3 1/2

Decrease round, K 10, K2Tog, repeat to end of round
K 1 round
Dec. round, K 9 K2Tog, repeat to end of round
continue in K for 2 more inches

Decrease round, K 8, K2Tog, repeat to end of round
Decrease round K 7, K2Tog, repeat to end of round
Continue to decrease every round with 1 less stitch between decreases
til you have to K2Tog all the way around.
K one row and cut yarn, weave in ends.

Of course, you can vary it by adding or subtracting the 4 ribbed rows, make it taller with a knitted round in between decrease rounds. Whatever works for you!