Purl Ridge Beret

A cozy, beginner-friendly beret that puts the purl stitch front and center! The slouchy crown is worked entirely in reverse stockinette (purl every round), giving it a soft, textured, bumpy right side, while a classic k1/p1 rib keeps the brim snug against your head. Worked seamlessly in the round from the brim up — no seaming required!

MATERIALS

• Yarn: Worsted weight (CYCA #4), approximately 180 yards (165 m) of a smooth or lightly textured wool or wool-blend yarn (the purl texture shows best in a smooth, solid-color yarn)
• Needles:
• US 6 / 4 mm — 16 in (40 cm) circular needle, for the ribbed brim
• US 7 / 4.5 mm — 16 in (40 cm) circular needle, for the body
• US 7 / 4.5 mm double-pointed needles (DPNs) or a spare circular for magic loop, for the crown once stitches no longer fit comfortably on the 16 in circular
• Adjust either needle size up or down to obtain correct gauge
• Notions: 8 stitch markers (1 unique marker for beginning of round, 7 matching markers for sections), tapestry/yarn needle, scissors

GAUGE

18 sts and 24 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in stockinette stitch, worked in the round, on US 7 (4.5 mm) needles = 4.5 sts per inch, 6 rows per inch

Gauge in the reverse stockinette (all-purl) pattern used for the body is the same as stockinette gauge. Always swatch in the round — flat swatches can give a different gauge than working in the round.

SIZE

One size, to fit an average adult head, 21–23 in (53–58 cm) circumference. The ribbed brim is worked with negative ease so it stretches to hug the head.

Finished Measurements:

• Brim circumference (relaxed, unstretched): approx. 17.8 in (45 cm); stretches comfortably to 20–23 in
• Crown circumference (widest point): approx. 26.7 in (68 cm)
• Height (brim to crown center): approx. 8 in (20.5 cm)

ABBREVIATIONS

• BOR – beginning of round
• CO – cast on
• k – knit
• k2tog – knit 2 together (decrease)
• M1P – make 1 purlwise: pick up the horizontal bar between stitches from back to front, purl into the front loop (increase)
• p – purl
• p2tog – purl 2 together (decrease)
• pm – place marker
• rem – remaining
• rep – repeat
• rnd(s) – round(s)
• sl m – slip marker
• st(s) – stitch(es)

PATTERN NOTES

• The body of this beret is worked by purling every single round — because you're always working on the right side in the round (no turning), this produces reverse stockinette fabric: bumpy purl texture on the outside, smooth "V"s on the inside.
• When joining the cast-on to work in the round, double- and triple-check that your stitches are not twisted around the needle. A twisted join cannot be fixed later without ripping back.
• As the crown decreases, the stitches will become too few to sit comfortably on your 16 in circular needle. Switch to double-pointed needles (or the magic loop method) once noted in the pattern.

INSTRUCTIONS

Brim (Ribbing)

Using US 6 (4 mm) circular needle, CO 80 sts. Place a unique marker and join to work in the round, being very careful not to twist your stitches.

Rnds 1–9: *K1, p1; rep from * around.

Piece should measure approx. 1.5 in (4 cm) from cast-on edge.

Set-Up for Body

Switch to US 7 (4.5 mm) circular needle.

Increase Rnd: *P2, M1P; rep from * around (40 reps) — 120 sts (80 + 40 = 120 ✓)

Body (Purl Stitch Section)

Rnds 1–21: Purl all stitches every round.

Piece should measure approx. 3.5 in (9 cm) from the Increase Rnd (about 5 in / 12.5 cm total from cast-on edge).

Crown Shaping

Set-up: You already have your BOR marker in place. Place 7 more markers evenly around, every 15 sts, dividing your 120 sts into 8 sections of 15 sts each (120 ÷ 8 = 15 ✓).

Work the following rounds, slipping each marker (sl m) as you come to it:

Switch to DPNs (or magic loop) now — the remaining stitches will be too few for the 16 in circular needle.

FINISHING

1. Cut yarn, leaving an 8 in (20 cm) tail. Thread the tail onto a tapestry needle and draw it through the remaining 8 live stitches. Pull tight to close the top of the crown and secure with a couple of small stitches.
2. Weave in all ends, including the cast-on tail and any joins, working along the wrong side (smooth side) of the fabric.
3. Block your beret: Wet the finished piece (or steam block) and stretch it over a dinner plate, bowl, or beret blocker roughly 10–11 in (25–28 cm) in diameter to help the crown lie flat and round. Let it dry completely before removing.
4. Optional: Add a pom-pom to the center top of the crown for a classic beret finish.

Enjoy your new Purl Ridge Beret!