This beret style hat fits low over the ears with a moderate amount of drape. The dimple stitch pattern reminds me of thermal underwear and extra layers and steaming mugs of tea. It will look best if made with a fiber blend that has a bit of drape and will hold a block nicely. I used a blend that was 84% alpaca, 8% wool, and 8% nylon. The finished hat will need to be blocked to achieve its final shape.

I prefer my hats to sit loosely around my ears. I don’t live in a super cold climate, so extreme warmth isn’t my concern so much as comfort and style. I like to knit my hat brims with the same needle size as the body so that they aren’t so binding around my ears. If you are like me, knit the whole beret on your size 9 (5.5mm) needles. If you prefer a snug brim, drop down to a size 7 (4.5mm) needle for the brim and switch to your 9s after the brim.