Nivalis is inspired by snowdrops, the first spring flowers coming from under the snow. This design is complementary to Nivalis pullover, made to use yarn leftovers and for those who’d like to try a new colourwork technique.

The beret is worked bottom-up in the round. The colourwork pattern can be worked as a simple stranded colourwork or as a more intricate pattern of floats.

Sizes

• The pattern is written for four sizes: 1 (2, 3, 4) with a finished unstretched brim circumference of ca. 46.7 (50, 53.3, 56.7) cm // 18.25 (19.75, 21, 22.25) in.
• The sample is shown in size 2.
• Please note the beret is running a bit shallow, so if you want it deeper and more like a slouchy tam, add extra rnds in the brim section as recommended in the pattern before starting with the colourwork.
• Please also note that I provided unstretched estimations for the ribbing, consider your gauge and how much stretch you will get depending the yarn you use. Maybe switch to a smaller size needle if necessary.

Yarn

• MC: ca. 35 (35, 40, 40) g or 1/3 of a skein of Woollin Heather yarn from Wol Met Verve, 85% virgin wool and 15% linen with approx. 400 m (438 yds) per 100 g skein, shown in colourway Aztec Gold; or ca. 140 (140, 160, 160) m / 153 (153, 175, 175) yds.
• CC: ca. 15 (15, 20, 20) g or 1/5 of a skein of the same yarn held double for the colourwork with floats, shown in colourway Brick; or ca. 60 (60, 80, 80) m / 66 (66, 88, 88) yds of any other fingering/sport weight yarn with a matching gauge.

For the colourwork with floats it is important to choose sticky woolen yarns, ones that will hold their shape in floats well. Before making the final choice, swatch with different options from your leftover stash to see how different yarns will behave. You can hold a lighter weight yarn double or use one strand of a heavier weight yarn instead.

Needles and notions

• 2.5 mm (US 1.5) or 3.0 mm (US 2.5) and
• 3.5 mm (US 4) circular needles;
• a set of 3.0 mm (US 2.5) double pointed needles,
• one stitch marker;
• a tapestry needle or a crochet hook to weave in the ends.

Gauge

• 24 sts & 38 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) on 3.0 mm (US 2.5) needles measured over stockinette stitch worked in the round after blocking;
• 23 sts & 26 rnds in 10 cm (4 in) measured over stranded colourwork with floats on the RS worked in the round on 3.5 mm (US 4) needles after blocking.

Adjust the needle sizes if necessary to obtain the correct gauge.