Recycle those old wool sweaters into a one-of-a-kind easy to crochet beret! Take the time to unravel an old wool sweater to create the new crocheted beret. Two balls that are approximately 4-ounces each are needed to complete the project. Allow approximately one hour to crochet the beret, and four hours to complete the felting process. Remember, the beret will look huge prior to the felting process. The large stitches are needed to create the proper felted look.
Things You’ll Need:
8 ounces wool yarn
Size L/7.00mm crochet hook
Scissors
Washing machine
Mild detergent
Measure spoons
Beret Body Instructions:
Row 1 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete 11 single crochet stitches in the second chain from the crochet hook. Connect the first and last stitch together with a slipstitch.
Row 2 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Complete 2 half double crochet stitches in each stitch around for a total of 24 stitches.
Row 3 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch round. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 4 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Stitch 1 half double crochet stitch in the next stitch and 2 in the following – repeat pattern around for a total of 36 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 5 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch round. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 6 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Stitch 1 half double crochet in the next two stitches followed by 2 half double crochet stitches in the next stitch – repeat the pattern around for a total of 48 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 7 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch round. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 8 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Stitch 1 half double crochet in the next three stitches followed by 2 half double crochets in the next stitch – repeat the pattern around for a total of 60 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 9 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch round. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 10 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Stitch 1 half double crochet in the next four stitches followed by 2 half double crochets in the next stitch – repeat the pattern around for a total of 72 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 11 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 12 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Stitch 1 half double crochet in the next five stitches followed by 2 half double crochets in the next stitch – repeat the pattern around for a total of 84 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 13 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 14 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double crochet stitch in the same stitch as the slipstitch. Stitch 1 half double crochet in the next 6 stitches followed by 2 half double crochets in the next stitch – repeat the pattern around for a total of 96 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Rows 15 to 24 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 25 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double decrease in the next two stitches then stitch 1 half double crochet stitch in each of the next 5 stitches – repeat the pattern around for a total of 84 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch of the row with a slipstitch.
Row 26 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 27 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double decrease in the next two stitches then stitch 1 half double crochet stitch in each of the next 4 stitches – repeat the pattern around for a total of 72 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch of the row with a slipstitch.
Row 28 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 29 – Chain 2 stitches. Complete a half double decrease in the next two stitches then stitch 1 half double crochet stitch in each of the next 3 stitches – repeat the pattern around for a total of 60 stitches. Join the last stitch to the first stitch of the row with a slipstitch.
Row 30 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.
Row 31 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the front loop of each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch of the row with a slipstitch.
Row 32 – Chain 1 stitch. Single crochet in the same stitch as the slipstitch and in each stitch around. Join the last stitch to the first stitch in the row. Finish off.
Additional Brim if Desired:
Row 1 – Count 13 stitches from the last stitch of the hat body. Join the yarn to the designated single crochet stitch. Work in the front loop only for this row. Single crochet in the next 5 stitches then complete 2 single crochet stitches in the next stitch – repeat this pattern 3 times for a total of 21 stitches. Single crochet in the next 5 stitches for a total of 26 stitches. Turn.
Row 2 – Chain 1 stitch. Skip the first single crochet stitch and single crochet in the next 4 stitches, half double in the next 4, double crochet in the next 6, half double in the next 4 and single crochet in the last four. Skip the next stitch and slipstitch to the last stitch in the row. Turn
Row 3 – Chain 1 stitch. Skip the first single crochet stitch and slipstitch in the next. Single crochet in the first 2 stitches. Complete 1 half double crochet stitch in the next stitch and 2 half double crochets in the following. Double crochet in the following stitch with 2 double crochet stitches in the next – repeat this pattern twice. Complete 2 double crochet stitches in the next stitch and 1 double crochet in the following – repeat this pattern twice. Complete 2 half double crochet stitches in the next stitch and 1 half double in the following. Single crochet in the last two stitches. Slipstitch along the edge of the brim until you get to the edge of the hat.
Row 4 to 6 – Repeat Rows 1 through 3 in the free loop on the opposite side of Row 1.
Row 7 – Single crochet through both layers of the brim and around the edge of the beret. Finish off and weave the excess yarn securely in the last row of stitching.
Felting Process:
Step 1 – Set your washing machine to the smallest load and to hot water.
Step 2 – Pour 1 tablespoon of mild detergent in the load and add the beret. Allow the beret to wash in the cycle for 10 to 20 minutes. Check the beret periodically and stop the process when it reaches the desired look. Remember, the hat will get larger before it gets smaller. This is normal and you should not be alarmed.
Step 3 – Remove the beret from the hot water. Rinse with cool water and wring dry. Place the beret on a thick towel to air dry making sure to form the beret into the desired shape. Pin to the towel if necessary to insure proper blocking.
Enjoy your new look! Use the same pattern to create a regular beret using a Size I/5.5mm crochet hook.