free pattern | marseille beret

This beret was originally designed during the 2016 France vs England Six Nations rugby match. Yes, I know, much specifics, but I remember it so vividly because what was going to be a beanie style hat quickly became a beret because, very FRANCH!

Also, I don’t know about you but I find the french national anthem, La Marseillaise, very uplifting and jolly, tres jolie even (tee hee, I made a French language joke and now I think I’m a hilarious genius)…..voila!

This is a picture of me actually making the original beret, on the sofa, watching the rugby wayyyyyy back in 2016! Instagram can be great for memories, right?

Anyhoo, on with the pattern.

The pattern will work with any DK yarn. The original two colour design was made using Rowan Softyak DK in the colours Heath and Terrain. It really is a lovely yarn, soft and cool to the touch so if you’ve never tried it then I do recommend it. However, I think the beret also works lovely in a single colour and for this second sample I have used Stylecraft Special DK in the Mushroom colourway and I love it, plus just one ball of yarn required to look super chic this autumn, hurrah!

// PATTERN STARTS // UK TERMINOLOGY

Using your chosen yarn and a 4mm hook, chain (ch) 4 and join with a slip stitch (ss) to form a loop.

Round 1. ch3, 2 trebles (tr), ch1, *(3tr, ch1), repeat from * a further three times, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3. (5 treble groups).

Round 2. (increase round), ss into first ch1 sp and (ch3, 2tr, ch1, 3tr) into that space, ch1, *(3tr, ch1, 3tr) into next sp, ch1; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 3. ss into first ch1 sp and (ch3, 2tr) into that space, ch1, *3tr into next sp, ch1; repeat from * around and join with a ss to top of beg. ch3. (10 treble groups).

Round 4. (increase round), ss into first ch1 sp and (ch3, 2tr, ch1, 3tr) into that space, ch1, *(3tr, ch1, 3tr) into next sp, ch1; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 5. ss into first ch1 sp and (ch3, 2tr) into that space, ch1, *3tr into next sp, ch1; repeat from * around and join with a ss to top of beg. ch3. (20 treble groups).

Round 6. as Round 5.

Round 7. (increase round), ss into first ch1 sp and (ch3, 2tr, ch1, 3tr) into that space, ch1, *(3tr, ch1, 3tr) into next sp, ch1; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Rounds 8 - 11. as Round 5. (40 treble groups).

Round 12. (decrease round), ss into first ch1 space and work ch3, 2tr into that space, 3tr into each ch1 space around (so we are not chaining 1 after our 3tr on this round), join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 13. as Round 12.

If you are making the two colour version, break off colour A now and rejoin colour B for the remainder of the pattern.

Round 14. as Round 12.

Round 15. (start brim), ch3, 9tr, tr2tog, *10tr, tr2tog; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 16. ch3, 8tr, tr2tog, *9tr, tr2tog; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 17. ch3, 7tr, tr2tog, *8tr, tr2tog; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 18. ch3, 6tr, tr2tog, *7tr, tr2tog; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 19. ch3, 5tr, tr2tog, *6tr, tr2tog; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Round 20. ch3, 4tr, tr2tog, *5tr, tr2tog; repeat from * around, join with a ss to top of beg. ch3.

Break off yarn and sew in your ends. This pattern shouldn’t require blocking.

Optional Pom Pom (if you want to look like Minnie the Minx or Benjamin Bunny)

Using a large Clover Pom Pom Maker make a pom pom in any colour you like; the same colour as your beret, a contrasting colour, or a mixture of lots of colours. I made a mixed colour pom pom by wrapping lots of different coloured yarn around the pom pom maker in small patches and I quite like the way it turned out. Once you have made and trimmed your pom pom, attach it to the middle of your beret and voila! You are officially fabulous.

// PATTERN ENDS //

The pattern is soon to be part of my £1.50 or free collection designed to allow people access to great knitting and crochet patterns with the option to pay if preferred. The paid for version is advert free and includes US terminology but I’m happy for you to get your hook on in whatever way you like so don’t think I’ll be mad if you only use the free version yo!

Please do note that this pattern is the copyright (2016) of Emma Potter/Potter & Bloom and may not be copied, reproduced or sold on in any way or form. Thank you.