This project was a real pain to cast-on and begin but after row 6 or so, the pattern is fun to knit! Yarn seems good for this project.
Changed to long circular needles (magic loop) on row 17… and to regular circulars on row 23… Added a yarn-over in the end of pattern on two rows to increase the diameter.
The pattern on pretty but oh-so-boring-to-knit. The top-down construction also pulls more than a typical knit.

I increased the stitch count to 185 on the end part of the pattern and knit the last 10 rounds with 37 sts per section. Then decreased according to the smaller size: k2tog around and do a k1p1-rib for 10 rows.

After blocking the beret is BIG which is a good thing, but the band grew as well which means that it is hard to wear nicely. The yarn is also floppy so the beret “hangs” on your head.

I like how the pattern looks but it wasn’t my favourite knit.