The Caldera Beret is a graceful, modern take on a classic silhouette, featuring gentle colour transitions and clean, understated lines. A subtle lateral braid marks the transition from the brim to the smooth stockinette body, adding a distinctive detail while allowing the colourwork to take centre stage.
The softly sculpted shaping creates a balanced, elegant silhouette. Part of the Caldera Collection, the beret pairs beautifully with the other designs while also making a stylish statement on its own.

CONSTRUCTION:
The beret is worked seamlessly from the bottom up, beginning with a provisional cast-on. The folded brim features stranded colourwork and is joined to the cast-on stitches before the lateral braid is worked. The stockinette body is then shaped with increases and decreases to create the characteristic beret silhouette.

SIZING AND MEASUREMENTS:
The pattern is written for sizes 1 (2; 3) which correspond to Adult Small (Medium; Large). The brim of the beret is designed to be worn with 8-10 cm / 3.25-4 in. of negative ease, meaning its circumference is smaller than the wearer’s head circumference for a snug fit.

To fit head circumference: 54.5-56.5 (56-58; 58-60) cm / 21.75-22.5 (22.5-23.25; 23.25-24) in.
Brim circumference: 46.5 (48; 50) cm / 18.5 (19.25; 20 in.
Length of the beret: 25.5 (27.5; 28) cm / 10.25 (11; 11.25) in.

GAUGE:
22 stitches and 25 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm / 4 in. x 4 in. in stockinette stitch in single-colour and in colourwork worked in the round, after blocking.

YARN:
For my samples I used the following yarns:
White / lavender sample: Drops Baby Merino (100% superwash extra fine merino, 50 g = 175 m / 191 yd), in shades 01-White as the main colour and 25-Lavender as the contrast colour; held together with Drops Kid-Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25 g = 210 m / 230 yd), in shades 01-Off White as the main colour and 11-Lavender as the contrast colour.

Light green / brown sample: Drops Baby Merino (100% superwash extra fine merino, 50 g = 175 m / 191 yd), in shades 58-Pistachio Ice Cream as the main colour and 17-Beige as the contrast colour; held together with Drops Kid-Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25 g = 210 m / 230 yd), in shades 47-Pistachio Ice Cream as the main colour and 35-Chocolate as the contrast colour.

Bordeaux / beige sample: Drops Nord (45% alpaca, 30% polyamide, 25% wool, 50 g = 170 m / 186 yd), in shades 30-Bordeaux as the main colour and 29-Marzipan as the contrast colour; held together with Drops Kid-Silk (75% mohair, 25% silk, 25 g = 210 m / 230 yd), in shades 70-Bordeaux as the main colour and 56-Marzipan as the contrast colour.

You will need approximately:

• Main colour: 145 (155; 165) m / 160 (170; 180) yd;
• Contrast colour: 25 (25; 25) m / 25 (25; 25) yd; of DK weight yarn when using a single strand. For fingering weight yarn held together with lace weight yarn, plan for the meterage and yardage listed above for each yarn.

NEEDLES AND NOTIONS:

• 4.5 mm / US 7 circular needles of 80 cm / 32 in. for the main fabric in single-colour. Or needle size needed to reach gauge.
• 5 mm / US 8 circular needles of 80 cm / 32 in. for the cuff in colourwork. Or needle size needed to reach gauge.
• 3.5 mm / US 4 circular needles of 80 cm / 32 in. for the lateral braid or needles 1 mm smaller than the main fabric in single-colour needles.
• 5 mm / US H-8 crochet hook for the provisional cast-on. The exact size is not important, but it should be similar to the needles used for the colourwork.
• 3.5 mm / US E-4 crochet hook to close the gap in the lateral braid. The exact size is not important, but it should be the same size as or smaller than the needles used for the lateral braid, to make closing the gap easier.
• Smooth, non-fluffy sport- or DK-weight waste yarn in a contrasting colour to your main colour yarn for the provisional cast-on.
• 8 (9; 10) stitch markers, including one distinct marker to indicate the beginning of round
• Tapestry needle
• Measuring tape

TECHNIQUES:

• Provisional cast-on
• Working in the round
• Simple stranded colourwork
• Lateral braid
• Right- and left-leaning increases and decreases

The pattern was tech-edited by Marie-Eve Wedge and test knitted by a wonderful group of knitters.

For pattern support, please contact me at: aggie.in.stitches@gmail.com.