Leaf Beret Pattern #2161

Headsize 22

Materials: Clark's O.N.T. Boucle, 4 balls of color 721 White Ivory or any color desired. Milward's steel crochet hook No. 3. 1¼ yds. white Millinery wire.

Beginning at tip, ch 4, join with sl st to form ring. Ch 1. 1st rnd: 7 s c in ring. 2nd rnd: 2 s c in each s c. 3rd rnd: * S c in next s c, 2 s c in next s c (an increase), repeat from * around. 4th to 8th rnds incl: S c in each s c of previous rnd, making 7 increases in each rnd at equal intervals, but not placing increases directly over increases of previous rnd. 9th rnd: * Make a 5-d c cluster in next s c, skip 1 s c, repeat from * around (28 clusters). Join last cluster to first cluster with a sl st. 10th rnd: S c in each cluster and s c in each sp, making 10 increases at equal intervals. 11th rnd: Same as 9th rnd (33 clusters). 12th rnd: 2 s c in each cluster and 1 s c in each sp. 13th to 26th rnds incl: Work s c in each s c of previous rnd, increasing when necessary to keep work flat. 27th rnd: Work a rnd of clusters as in 9th rnd, skipping 2 s c (instead of 1 s c), and sometimes skip 1 s c, in order to have work lie flat. 28th rnd: 2 s c in each cluster and 1 s c in each sp. This completes top. Do not break off but continue with side crown as follows: 29th rnd: Same as 27th rnd. 30th rnd: 2 s c in each cluster. Hereafter work in s c only. Work s c in each s c for 1½ inches. Next rnd: Decrease every 15th s c (to decrease, insert hook in 14th s c, draw loop through, insert hook in 15th s c, draw loop through, thread over and draw through all 3 loops on hook). Work straight (if a smaller headsize is desired, decrease a few sts) until entire side crown measures 2½ inches. Fasten and break off. Block hat with a damp cloth and a moderately hot iron, stretching top (by pinning carefully along edges to ironing board) to measure about 9¾ inches in diameter. Then from inside of crown place wire between top and side crown (between two rows of clusters). From the right side, work a rnd of s cs over this wire. Fasten wire neatly by overlapping, and break off thread.

Leaf Trimming. Ch 4, turn. 1st row: S c in 2nd ch from hook, s c in next ch, 3 s c in last ch, then 2 s c across other side of foundation ch. Ch 1, turn. 2nd row: S c in each s c (hereafter always pick up only the back loop of s cs of previous row), 3 s c at corner (where 3 s c were made in previous row), decreasing 1 s c at end of row. Ch 1, turn. 3rd to 9th rows incl: Repeat 2nd row. 10th row: Same as 2nd row, decreasing 1 s c at beginning (by skipping 1st s c) and 1 s c at end of row. Repeat 10th row until leaf measures 4 inches lengthwise through the center. Then sl st across center of row (where the increases are), then ch 35 (for stem). Do not break off. Place a 9-inch length of wire over stem and along center of leaf. Work s c in each ch of stem working over wire so that it is completely covered, then continue with s c (still working over wire to stiffen leaf) at center of leaf picking up center threads to point of leaf. Fasten wire neatly at both ends by turning ends over. Break thread. Curve stem slightly and sew trimming on side crown as in illustration.