Pastel Block Fisherman Beret: Free Knit Pattern

Introduction

This Pastel Block Fisherman Beret is a soft, rounded beret with a small knotted stem on top and a gentle two-tone color block: a mauve crown sitting above a plum band. It is written for advanced beginners who are comfortable with knit, purl, simple increases and decreases, and working in the round. The all-over k1, p1 rib texture gives it a cozy, squishy feel, while the worsted weight alpaca blend makes it light, warm, and dreamy against the skin. It is a quick, satisfying knit that looks lovely in pastels and works just as well in deeper, moodier shades.

Materials Needed

• Yarn: Worsted weight alpaca blend, approximately 120 yards (110 m) per 50 g skein.
  • Color A (Plum): 1 skein (50 g, 120 yds)
  • Color B (Mauve): 1 skein (50 g, 120 yds)
• Needles: US 6 (4.0 mm) 16" circular needle and a set of 5 US 6 (4.0 mm) double-pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge.
• Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle, tape measure, scissors.
• Finished size: To fit an adult head circumference of 20–22" (51–56 cm). Finished circumference at band: 18" (46 cm) unstretched; it stretches to fit. Crown diameter: 10" (25 cm). Height: 8" (20 cm) from cast-on edge to top.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on — make the starting stitches.
• St(s): stitch(es).
• Rnd(s): round(s) — one full pass around the circle.
• K: knit stitch.
• P: purl stitch.
• K2tog: knit two stitches together — a right-leaning decrease that turns two stitches into one.
• M1L: make one left — lift the bar between stitches from front to back and knit it through the back loop to add one stitch.
• M1R: make one right — lift the bar between stitches from back to front and knit it through the front loop to add one stitch.
• Beg: beginning.
• Rep: repeat.
• I-cord: a small knitted tube made by sliding stitches to the other end of the needle and knitting them again.

Gauge

16 sts and 24 rnds = 4" (10 cm) in k1, p1 rib, blocked. Knit a swatch in the round (or work back and forth and measure the ribbed fabric), block it, and check that 16 stitches measure 4" before starting.

Tips Before You Start

• Change colors only at the beginning-of-round marker so the color line stays clean and horizontal.
• Keep your rib pattern consistent: knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they appear, so the texture stays even through the increases and decreases.
• When the crown gets too small for the circular needle, switch to the double-pointed needles.
• Work the increase round loosely so the crown widens smoothly without a tight ring.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Band

With Color A (Plum), CO 72 sts. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Place a marker for the beginning of the round.

Rnds 1–6: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (72 sts).

Change to Color B (Mauve).

Rnds 7–10: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (72 sts).

Crown (Color B)

Rnd 11 (inc): *K1, p1, M1L, k1, p1, M1R; rep from * to end (120 sts).

Rnds 12–24: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (120 sts).

Shape Crown

Rnd 25: *K1, p1, k2tog, p1, k1, p1; rep from * to end (96 sts).

Rnds 26–30: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (96 sts).

Rnd 31: *K1, p1, k2tog, p1; rep from * to end (72 sts).

Rnds 32–36: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (72 sts).

Rnd 37: *K1, p1, k2tog; rep from * to end (48 sts).

Rnd 38: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (48 sts).

Rnd 39: *K2tog, p1; rep from * to end (32 sts).

Rnd 40: *K1, p1; rep from * to end (32 sts).

Rnd 41: *K2tog; rep from * to end (16 sts).

Rnd 42: *K2tog; rep from * to end (8 sts).

Break yarn, leaving a 6" tail. Thread the tail through the remaining 8 sts, pull tight, and secure.

Stem (Color A)

With Color A, pick up and knit 4 sts at the center of the crown. Work I-cord for 1" (2.5 cm). Bind off. Tie a small knot in the I-cord.

Assembly and Finishing

Weave in all ends on the wrong side, taking care to secure the color-change join. Block the beret to the finished measurements: dampen it, shape it over a plate or round form to the 10" (25 cm) crown diameter, and let it dry fully. The ribbed band should relax to about 18" (46 cm) unstretched. Fluff the knotted stem gently into place once dry.

Pro Tips and Variations

• Swap the two colors for a reversed look, or use a single color for a classic monochrome beret.
• Work the band in a contrasting pastel for a bolder color block while keeping the crown mauve.
• Make the I-cord stem slightly longer (about 1½") and knot it twice for a playful top detail.