08. Free Crochet Pattern: The Douce France Beret by Wolly Roger
Hello, knitters, and raise the anchor!
Today, I'm revealing my pattern for this new season. With the return of the sun comes the boarding of terraces, and what better way to add a retro charm to your wardrobe than a pretty beret? I am happy to present our newest addition : Douce France. This is the second pattern in the Wolly Roger collection. After designing a first knit hat, I had to restore the balance of power by creating a crochet model.
The "Douce France" Beret: An Eco-Designed and Historical Model
This beret was designed to be crocheted with a skein of Reborn Jeans VEGAN. But you could also opt for a finer yarn like Reborn Denim VEGAN or Morning Salutation VEGAN from Kremke Soul Wool.
"Douce France" is my second pattern, and for me, it's like a cry of love for the culture of my country. From fashion to song, it's just a step away. This hit by Charles Trenet, whose title was inspired by La Chanson de Roland, was performed for the first time at the Folies Bergères theater in 1943. The world has changed a lot since that time, but everyone can relate to the nostalgia of childhood and the distant memory of a time when everything seemed simpler. The melody is not without a reminder of other popular songs of that period, such as Edith Piaf's "La Vie en Rose." The evocation of rural France, the tender writing, and the adorable naivety of the melody have made it an international classic. I encourage you to wear your Douce France beret with a light heart, just like the works of the man nicknamed "le fou chantant" (the singing madman)!
I would also like to take this opportunity to introduce my new assistant and model, Murray.
This pattern is accessible to everyone and will be a perfect first project for a beginner at crochet.
Crochet Techniques for Your "Douce France" Beret
5 specific techniques will be used here:
- Chain stitches (ch)
- Slip stitches (sl st)
- Single crochet (sc)
- Single crochet increases (sc inc)
- Single crochet decreases (sc dec)
I will guide you, step-by-step, to perform these techniques on the Wolly Roger YouTube channel, in the DOUCE FRANCE playlist. You can just click on the links above to access them directly.
I reassure you, Murray does not have vision problems; he wears glasses out of pure vanity.
Douce France Beret Pattern
Adult beret, 29 cm in diameter, customizable head circumference.
Gauge: 23 single crochets x 20 rows = 10 cm with a 4 mm hook.
Materials:
- 1 skein of Reborn Jeans VEGAN OR 2 balls of Morning Salutation VEGAN
- 4 mm crochet hook
- Stitch markers
- Tapestry needle
Abbreviations:
- st: stitch.
- ch: chain stitch.
- sl st: slip stitch.
- sc: single crochet.
- sc inc: single crochet increase (2 sc in 1 st).
- sc dec: single crochet decrease (1 sc in 2 sts).
Instructions:
Chain 4, sl st into the first chain to create a circle.
Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
IMPORTANT:
Crochet in the round.
Each round will be closed with a sl st into the first sc.
The first sc of each round will be replaced by 2 ch.
Round 1: Crochet 8 sc around the ch ring. [8 single crochets]
Round 2: Crochet 1 sc inc in each of the 8 sts. [2 stitches per section - 16 single crochets]
Round 3: Crochet 1 sc in the first st then 1 sc inc in the next st and repeat * * until the end. [3 stitches per section - 24 single crochets]
Round 4: Crochet 1 sc in the first 2 sts then 1 sc inc in the next st and repeat * * until the end. [4 stitches per section - 32 single crochets]
Round 5: Crochet 1 sc in the first 3 sts then 1 sc inc in the next st and repeat * * until the end. [5 stitches per section - 40 single crochets]
Round 6: Crochet 1 sc in the first 4 sts then 1 sc inc in the next st and repeat * * until the end. [6 stitches per section - 48 single crochets]
Continue increases up to round 26 [8 sections of 26 sts each], for a total of 208 sts, 29 cm in diameter at the increases (or until you get the desired size).
Round 27: Crochet 1 sc in the first 24 sts then 1 sc dec in the next 2 sts and repeat * * until the end. [25 stitches per section - 200 single crochets]
Round 28: Crochet 1 sc in the first 23 sts then 1 sc dec in the next 2 sts and repeat * * until the end. [24 stitches per section - 192 single crochets]
Round 29: Crochet 1 sc in the first 22 sts then 1 sc dec in the next 2 sts and repeat * * until the end. [23 stitches per section - 184 single crochets]
Continue decreases, trying on the beret regularly to get a circumference that corresponds to your head circumference + 1 cm. For my part, having a very small head (54/55 cm circumference) I continued the decreases until I had 8 sections of 12 stitches each, for a total of 96 stitches.
Crochet 1 sc in each sc.
Continue for 10 rounds of sc to make the brim.
After finishing the 10th round of sc, cut and weave in the yarn.
Finishing the Beret
Weave in the ends, wash, and let it air dry without stretching the beret.
Thanks to Amandine for her eagle eyes ^^.
The Douce France pattern is an exclusive creation of Wolly Roger. Any reproduction for commercial purposes or copying without citing the author will be thrown to the sharks.
Take good care, and see you soon for new adventures!
Hopla, Bis bàll,
Jessica