Crooked paths

Crooked Paths Slouchy Lace Beret by Melissa LaBarre

What Is Being Made

Crooked Paths is a slouchy lace beret designed by independent knitter Melissa LaBarre. This is a classic beret silhouette with a relaxed, draped fit achieved through strategic increases and lace patterning. The design combines a structured ribbed foundation with an elegant lace motif that creates visual interest and texture throughout the crown.

Craft and Construction Technique

This hat is knitted in the round from the bottom up, a construction method that creates a seamless, tubular fabric ideal for hats. The pattern begins with a ribbed band worked on smaller needles, which creates the fitted edge that sits on the head. After completing the ribbed section, stitches are increased strategically, and the knitter switches to larger needles to accommodate the expanded stitch count. The transition from the ribbed band to the lace pattern marks the shift from a snug, elastic cuff to the more open, decorative upper portion of the beret.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern employs two distinct stitch techniques:

• Stockinette stitch is used in the ribbed band section, providing a smooth, classic foundation
• Lace pattern dominates the crown of the beret, creating an open, decorative fabric with yarn overs and decreases that form the characteristic lace motif

The lace pattern repeats every 17 stitches. For knitters new to lace work, the pattern recommends placing stitch markers after every repeat to help track the pattern repeats and prevent mistakes. One marker should be distinctly different to clearly mark the beginning of each round.

Yarn and Materials

The beret is designed for worsted-weight yarn, specifically the Madelinetosh Tosh Vintage line in the colorway Composition Book Grey. The project requires only 1 skein of 200 yards, making it an efficient use of yarn and an excellent stash-busting project.

Needles and Gauge

This advanced pattern requires three sets of needles to accommodate the different stages of construction:

• US 5 (3.75mm) 16-inch circular needle for the initial ribbed band
• US 7 (5mm) 16-inch circular needle for the main lace pattern section
• US 7 (5mm) double-pointed needles (dpn set) for the final decreases when the stitch count becomes too small for circular needles

Achieving proper gauge is essential for this design. The pattern specifies 18 stitches and 28 rows in stockinette stitch over 4 inches on US 7 needles, and 18 stitches and 26 rows in lace pattern over 4 inches on the same needle size. The slightly tighter gauge in stockinette compared to the lace pattern is typical, as lace stitches naturally create a more open fabric.

Additional Materials

Beyond yarn and needles, you will need a stitch marker to denote the beginning of round, and additional stitch markers (up to 7 total) if you choose to place them at each lace pattern repeat for easier tracking. A blunt needle for weaving in ends completes the notions required to finish the project.

Difficulty Level

Crooked Paths is rated as an advanced knitting pattern. This difficulty level reflects the combination of in-the-round construction, lace pattern work, and the need to manage multiple needle sizes and stitch markers. Knitters should be comfortable reading lace charts, managing yarn overs and decreases, and working with circular needles and double-pointed needles before attempting this design.