I used to be very wary of any project using Kitchener stitch, but my love of sock knitting (usually top down) has cured me of that...this beret is a great opportunity to play with the technique! It begins with a temporary cast on, allowing live stitches to be retrieved later, for joining with Kitchener stitch. It is knitted in wedges, using short rows to create the longer outer edge. The position of each "wrap and turn" has been carefully plotted so that wraps are hidden within the textured patterning, rendering the usual knitting each wrap together with its stitch unnecessary. Cunningly, the row created by grafting is all knit stitches.
Although this yarn is extremely soft and squishy, I opted for needles one size larger than usual, counteracting the tendency of heavily cabled fabric to be rather solid: the soft and drapey beret is just what I wanted.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS Band circumference: approx. 16 inches, unstretched. Stretches easily to fit a wide range of sizes.
MATERIALS
Yarn Cleckheaton Australian Superfine Merino 8-ply, [100% superfine merino wool; 130m/142yd per 65g/2.3oz skein]; colour: 08 Red; 2 skeins
Recommended needle size [always use a needle
size that gives you the gauge
listed below -- every knitter's
gauge is unique] US #7/4.5mm needles for working flat US #3/3.25mm 16 inch circular needle for band
Notions cable needle stitch marker crochet hook and length of smooth scrap yarn for provisional cast on (see Pattern Notes) yarn needle
GAUGE
21 sts/28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, using larger needles.
PATTERN NOTES [Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]
C6L: Slip next 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at front of work, k3, then k3 from cable needle.
Provisional Cast On
This project uses a provisional cast on. Use your preferred technique; directions for one method may be found here.
Kitchener Stitch/Grafting
Instructions for grafting can be found here.
Short Row Wedge Pattern
Worked flat over 63 sts.
Chart is linked below.
Charts The chart for this pattern is very large and fits on a letter-sized page.
Click here and print the resulting page.
DIRECTIONS
Using larger needles, scrap yarn and a provisional cast on method, CO 63 sts.
Join project yarn.
Work Rows 1-40 of Short Row Wedge pattern 6 times in full, and then work Rows 1-39 once more.
Leaving a tail long approx. 60 inches long (for grafting), break yarn.
Closing Top
Undo provisional CO and return exposed sts to needle. With right side facing and using Kitchener stitch, graft sts together.
Lower Band
With right side facing and using smaller needles, pick up and knit up 94 sts evenly around long edge of beret. Place marker and join for working in the round.
Ribbing round: [K1, p1] around.
Work Ribbing round as set for 8 more rounds.
Bind off in ribbing pattern.
FINISHING
Run a gathering thread through ends of rows at centre of beret, draw up tightly and stitch securely.
Block. Weave in ends.
ABOUT THE DESIGNER
In her day job at a yarn company, Wendy writes up other people's designs ... it is actually possible to have too much knitting in her week! In her own time, she dreams up all sorts of designs and some even make it into garment form, many of which have been published in the Australian magazine Yarn.
Living in Australia, she loves working with natural fibres, especially the fine merino wool that Australia is so famous for.
She can be found on Ravelry and her designs can also be seen on her blog.
