This hat was designed for the Blue Ridge Fiber Festival 2023. BRFF takes place on the first weekend in June in the town of Sparta, North Carolina in beautiful Alleghany County. This area of northwest North Carolina and Southwest Virginia is deeply steeped in the traditions of the fiber arts. Tradition you can see in both the vendors and attendees to this festival.
The motifs in the Alleghany Beret reflect this heritage with traditional motifs displayed with a bit of a twist. Worked completely in the round with two main colors and one accent, the hat is started at the brim with a small folded hem and proceeds with no shaping to the crown. A series of central double decreases shape the crowns and form a star motif to finish off the hat. The beret shaping is achieved by wet blocking on a 10” round blank...a plate works well.
Alleghany Beret
Finished size: 8” (20 cm) height x 22” (56 cm) circumference.
Note: For a smaller brim circumference, work both Chart 1 and 2 in smaller needles.
Gauge: 4 in. (10.16 cm) = 32 sts and 35.5 rnds (colorwork, after blocking)
Materials:
Yarn – Fingering weight
Color A (dark): 130 yds
Color B (light): 130 yds
Color C (accent): 40 yds
Needles - US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 2 ( 2.75 mm) needles for preferred method of working small circumferences (i.e. 2 circulars, Magic Loop, or double pointed needles).
Stitch markers. Tapestry needle.
Work Chart 1, repeating each rnd to end and using color changes as indicated. Next rnd, with Color C: Purl to end.
Work Chart 2 as established and change to larger needles and work Chart 3.