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Larch Beret in Traditional Fair-Isle

Larch vintage beret in traditional fair-isle knitting. Free pattern.

Materials

Patons Beehive Fingering 4 ply wool (fingering weight) in the following colours: 1 ball Light Natural, Small Quantities of Blue, Yellow, Pale Yellow, Dark Green, Scarlet and White. 1 set of old UK size 10 / US 3 / Metric 3.25mm double pointed needles (and a 16″ circular needle to begin with if desired).

Gauge

7½ stitches to the inch in width, measured over stocking stitch knit on 3.25mm needleS

Size

Diameter – 8¾ ins Head Band slightly stretched – 17″

Abbreviations

LN = Light Natural B = Blue Y = Yellow PY = Pale Yellow G = Dark Green S = Scarlet W =White.

Pattern

Using LN, cast on 112 stitches. If using DPNs place 40 sts on 1st Needle and 36 on each of 2nd and 3rd Needles Work 8 rounds in K1, P1 rib Next round: * K1, inc. in next st. knitwise, rep. from * to end of round. (168 sts) Knit 2 roundS Proceed in Fair Isle patt. (every round knit), joining in and breaking off colours as required. Rounds 1-20 in words: 1st round: 2 LN, * 1 B, 3 LN, rep . from * to last 2 sts, 1 B, 1 LN 2nd round: * 1 LN, 3 B, rep. from * to end of round. 3rd round: * 2 B, 2 Y, 1 B, 2 Y, 3 B, 1 Y, 1 B, rep. from * to end of round. 4th round: * 2 B, 5 Y, 2 B, 3 Y, rep. from * to end of round. 5th round: * 2 PY, 1 G, 3 PY, 1 G, 2 PY, 1 G, 1 PY, 1 G, rep. from * to end of round. 6th round: * 3 PY, 1 G, 1 PY, 1 G, 3 PY, 3 G, rep. from * to end of round. 7th round: * (1 S, 3 W) twice, 2 S, 1 W, 1 S, rep. from * to end of round. 8th-13th rounds: As rounds 6-1 in backward order, i.e., 6, 5, 4, 3, etc. 14th and 15th rounds: Using LN, knit. 16th round: * 1 G, 3 LN, rep. from * to end of round. 17th round: * 1 LN, 1 G, rep. from * to end of round. 18th round: 2 LN, * 1 G , 3 LN, rep. from * to last 2 sts, 1 G, 1 LN 19th and 20th rounds: Using LN, knit. Rounds 1-20 charted:
Fairisle chart nuber one for the Larch Beret in fair-isle knitting
21st-33rd rounds: As rounds 1- 13. 34th round: Using LN, knit. 35th round: Using LN, * K2tog, K2, rep. from * to end of round. (126 sts) 36th round: As 34th round. Work Crown as follows: In Words: 1st round: * (1 Y, 1 B) four times, 1 Y, K2tog Y, (1 Y, 1 B) five times, rep. from * to end of round. (120 sts) 2nd round: * (1 B , 1 Y) four times, 3 Y, (1 Y, 1 B) three times, 1 Y, 2 B, rep. from * to end of round. 3rd round: * 2 B, (1 Y, 1 B) twice, 2 Y, slip 1, K2tog B, psso, 2 Y, (1 B, 1 Y) twice, 3 B, rep. from * to end of round. 4th round: * (1 B, 1 Y) three times, 1 Y, 3 B, 2Y, (1 B, 1 Y) twice, 2B, rep. from * to end of round. 5th round: * (1 PY, 1 G) twice, 2 PY, 1 G, slip 1, K2tog G, psso, 1 G, 2 PY, (1 G, 1 PY) twice, 1 G, rep. from* to end of round. 6th round: * 1 G, 1 PY, 1 G, 2 PY, 5 G, 2 PY, 1 G, 1 PY, 2 G, rep. from* to end of round. 7th round: * 1 PY, 1 G, 2 PY, 2 G, slip 1, K2tog G, psso, 2 G, 2 PY, 1 G, 1 PY, 1 G, rep. from * to end of round. 8th round: * 1 G, 2 PY, 7 G, 2 PY, 2 G, rep. from * to end of round. 9th round: * 2 W, 3 S, slip 1, K2tog S, psso, 3 S, 2 W, 1 S, rep. from * to end of round. 10th round: * 1 S, 1 W, 7 S, 1 W, 2 S, rep. from * to end of round. 11th round: * 2 W, 2 S, slip 1, K2tog S, psso, 2 S, 2 W, 1 S, rep. from *to end of round. 12th round: * 1 S, 1 W, 5 S, 1 W, 2 S, rep. from * to end of round. 13th round: * 2 PY , 1 G, slip 1, K2tog G, psso, 1 G, 2 PY, 1 G, rep. from * to end of round. 14th round: * 1 G , 1 PY, 3 G, 1 PY, 2 G, rep. from * to end of round. 15th round: * 2 PY, slip 1, K2tog G, psso, 2 PY, 1 G, rep. from * to end of round. 16th round: * (1G, 1 PY) twice, 2 G, rep. from * to end of round. 17th round: * 1Y, slip 1 , K2tog Y, psso, 1 Y, 1 B, rep. from * to end of round. 18th round: Using B, knit. 19th round: Using B, * K2tog, rep. from * to end of round Thread wool through remaining sts, draw up and fasten off securely Crown Charted
Fairisle chart for the crown of Larch, beret in traditional fair-isle knitting

Finishing

Cut a circle of cardboard 8i ins in diameter. Insert this into beret and using a hot iron and a wet cloth press work on wrong side. Remove cardboard.
The original publication of this pattern is in the public domain, however, the updated text and knitting charts in this version are copyright Sarah Bradberry, May 26th 2013. All rights reserved.