Sunset Houndstooth Knit Beret Free Pattern
Introduction
The Sunset Houndstooth Beret is a warm, textured hat designed for intermediate knitters who are ready to play with color. It is worked in the round from a snug ribbed band up through a soft seed-stitch body, where eight bold houndstooth-style motifs ripple around the crown in a sunset ombre of deep orange, gold, peach, and pink. The finished beret is light and airy in fingering weight wool, with a gentle drape and a crisp little burgundy knot button on top. It looks striking with a plain coat, feels cozy without being heavy, and works just as well on anyone in the family.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Fingering weight, 100% wool, 400 yards (366 m) per 100 g skein. Color A (deep orange): 50 yards; B (orange): 50 yards; C (golden yellow): 50 yards; D (peach): 50 yards; E (pink): 50 yards; F (burgundy): 20 yards.
- Needles: 3.25 mm (US 3) circular needle, 40 cm long, and 3.25 mm (US 3) double-pointed needles (or the size needed to obtain gauge).
- Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors, and a small amount of extra F for the top button.
- Finished size: One size fits an average adult head of 54–58 cm. Beret diameter is approximately 28 cm; band circumference is 50 cm unstretched.
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on — make the starting stitches.
- k: knit stitch.
- p: purl stitch.
- k2tog: knit two stitches together — a one-stitch decrease.
- inc: increase — work into the front and back of the same stitch to add one stitch.
- sts: stitches.
- Rnd(s): round(s) — one complete circle of knitting in the round.
- seed stitch: alternating knit and purl stitches, with the pattern offset by one stitch on each following round so bumps and dips alternate.
Gauge
24 stitches and 36 rows = 10 cm in seed stitch. Knit a small swatch in seed stitch, block it lightly, and measure a 10 cm section; if you have more stitches, go up a needle size, and if you have fewer, go down.
Tips Before You Start
- Because the motifs are placed by stitch count rather than a printed chart, place a marker every 20 stitches after the increase round so each motif section is easy to find and count.
- Keep your color changes loose at the back of the work so the beret does not pucker; give the fabric a gentle stretch after each color change round.
- Seed stitch can look uneven before blocking — trust the process and block the finished beret lightly over a plate to smooth the surface.
- Switch to double-pointed needles once the crown decreases make the circular needle uncomfortable to work around.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Band
Rnds 1–10: With A, [k1, p1] to end of round (120 sts).
Next Rnd: Change to B. Knit 1 round, increasing 40 sts evenly (160 sts).
Body
Rnds 1–4: Work in seed stitch (k1, p1; on the next round p1, k1) (160 sts).
Motif setup: Divide the round into 8 sections of 20 sts each, using markers. Each section holds one motif: 10 sts in the motif color and 10 sts in A, alternating every 10 sts.
Rnds 1–10: Work seed stitch, with the first 10 sts of each section in B and the next 10 sts in A (160 sts).
Rnds 11–20: Change the motif color to C. Work seed stitch, with the first 10 sts of each section in C and the next 10 sts in A (160 sts).
Rnds 21–30: Change the motif color to D. Work seed stitch, with the first 10 sts of each section in D and the next 10 sts in A (160 sts).
Rnds 31–40: Change the motif color to E. Work seed stitch, with the first 10 sts of each section in E and the next 10 sts in A (160 sts).
After Rnd 40, the piece measures approximately 11 cm from the band.
Crown Decreases
Rnd 1: [k2tog, k18] 8 times (152 sts).
Rnd 2: Seed stitch to end (152 sts).
Rnd 3: [k2tog, k17] 8 times (144 sts).
Rnd 4: Seed stitch to end (144 sts).
Rnd 5: [k2tog, k16] 8 times (136 sts).
Rnd 6: Seed stitch to end (136 sts).
Rnd 7: [k2tog, k15] 8 times (128 sts).
Rnd 8: Seed stitch to end (128 sts).
Rnd 9: [k2tog, k14] 8 times (120 sts).
Rnd 10: Seed stitch to end (120 sts).
Rnd 11: [k2tog, k13] 8 times (112 sts).
Rnd 12: Seed stitch to end (112 sts).
Rnd 13: [k2tog, k12] 8 times (104 sts).
Rnd 14: Seed stitch to end (104 sts).
Rnd 15: [k2tog, k11] 8 times (96 sts).
Rnd 16: Seed stitch to end (96 sts).
Rnd 17: [k2tog, k10] 8 times (88 sts).
Rnd 18: Seed stitch to end (88 sts).
Rnd 19: [k2tog, k9] 8 times (80 sts).
Rnd 20: Seed stitch to end (80 sts).
Rnd 21: [k2tog, k8] 8 times (72 sts).
Rnd 22: Seed stitch to end (72 sts).
Rnd 23: [k2tog, k7] 8 times (64 sts).
Rnd 24: Seed stitch to end (64 sts).
Rnd 25: [k2tog, k6] 8 times (56 sts).
Rnd 26: Seed stitch to end (56 sts).
Rnd 27: [k2tog, k5] 8 times (48 sts).
Rnd 28: Seed stitch to end (48 sts).
Rnd 29: [k2tog, k4] 8 times (40 sts).
Rnd 30: Seed stitch to end (40 sts).
Rnd 31: [k2tog, k3] 8 times (32 sts).
Rnd 32: Seed stitch to end (32 sts).
Rnd 33: [k2tog, k2] 8 times (24 sts).
Rnd 34: Seed stitch to end (24 sts).
Rnd 35: [k2tog, k1] 8 times (16 sts).
Next Rnd: Change to F. [k2tog] 8 times (8 sts).
Break yarn, leaving a 15 cm tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight, and secure on the inside.
Top Button
Button: With F, CO 3 sts and work I-cord for 2 cm. Tie the cord into a small knot and sew it firmly to the top of the beret. Alternatively, make a small burgundy pom-pom and sew it in place.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, working each tail in a different direction so the fabric stays flat. Sew the button or pom-pom securely to the crown, passing through the gathered stitches a few times for stability. Block lightly: mist the beret with cool water, shape it over a dinner plate to hold the round beret diameter of about 28 cm, and let it dry completely away from direct heat. Do not stretch the ribbed band — keep it relaxed so it stays at roughly 50 cm.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the ombre sequence for a single motif color with a cream background for a classic two-tone houndstooth look.
- Work the band in F instead of A for a darker frame that makes the sunset colors pop.
- For a slouchier fit, add 10 extra rounds of seed stitch before the crown decreases, keeping the motif color changes every 10 rounds.
