I love to crochet mandalas and they have been a popular item for crochet enthusiasts for some time now. With that in mind, I thought it would be fun to create and adapt a mandala to use for a beret pattern. I love how it turned out in these deep, rich colors reminiscent of a sky at twilight, and I think you’ll really enjoy working the pattern for this wearable work of art! You’ll want to make at least one for yourself and several to give as gifts. It’s stretchy, so one size fits most women. Perfect for Christmas, Hanukkah, Birthdays, Mothers’ Day and many other occasions.

Size: The flat top part of the beret measures just over 10” across. The head opening is designed to be stretchy, so one size fits most women. If you are making it for a small child, you might want to make 1 additional decrease on some or each of the decrease rows; if you are making it for a larger than average adult head size, you may want to make one less decrease on some or each of the decrease rows. Another option is to change to a larger (for large adult) or smaller (for child) hook size for Rows 14-21.

Skill Level: Some experience is helpful but I think patience and concentration is the key. An advanced beginner with some experience might find it a little challenging but should be able to handle it. For the experienced crocheter, the variety of colors and stitches should make it an interesting project.

Materials:
Hook: G Hook (4.25 MM) (See Gauge below and adjust hook size if needed)
Stitch Markers
Tapestry Needle (for weaving in ends)

Yarn: Knit Picks Wool of the Andes, worsted weight, 100% Peruvian Highland Wool, 1 skein each of 5 colors. I used:

#25651 Turmeric (Gold); #25984 Ciel (Blue); #24274 Lullaby (Grape); #25980 Victorian (Rose); and #24272 Jalapeno (Green).

Each skein is 110 yards. 5 skeins are enough to make one beret in each of the three colorways featured. If you change up the order of your colors or if you increase the size of the brim, you may need an additional skein of each brim color (Color D) to make all three.

Gauge: 4 stitches and 4 rows in single crochet equal about 1”. Adjust hook size to obtain gauge.

Stitches:

Chain
Single Crochet
Slip Stitch
Single Crochet Decrease
Half Double Crochet
Double Crochet
Double Crochet Back Loop Only
Spike Double Crochet
Front Post Half Double Crochet
Back Post Half Double Crochet
Spike Double Crochet