Quick and Easy French Beret Hat Pattern

Every summer my dear friends put on a "camp" for our girls.  We have an over abundance of young ladies in our circle!  This years camp is "Camp Francias" (say that with a French accent). There where 25 young ladies there! Every year my two friends out do themselves, they really put a lot of thought and effort into it!  It has become a annual tradition, with a new theme each summer.  To say thank you, I wanted to make something quick and simple, that would compliment the theme. Que: French Berets! They scream FRANCE! So I just sat down and started to free hand it.  When I say that this pattern is easy...it's an understatement.  I'm serious.

You will need:
A chunky yarn
N-Hook (9MM)

You will need to know how to:
Single Crochet: sc
Double Crochet: dc
Double Crochet Decrease: dc2tog
Slip Stitch: ss
Chain: ch
Crochet front loop
Crochet back loop

And you need to know how to do the magic ring!

Row 1: To Start make a magic ring, ch 2 (first dc), 11 dc, ss to 2nd ch of ch2, ch 2, turn
Row 2: dc into same stitch as ch2 (your first increase), 2 dc into each stitch (24 dc), ss into 2nd ch of ch 2, ch 2, turn
Row 3:  dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, 2 dc, repeat * to end, ss to 2nd ch of ch2, ch 2, turn (36 dc)
Row 4:  dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, 2 dc, repeat* to end, ss into 2nd ch of ch 2, ch 2, turn
Row 5:  dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, dc, 2 dc, repeat* to end, ss into 2nd ch of ch 2, ch 1, turn

Now if you want to make a lovely trivet, this would be a good stopping point! If you want to finish your beret read on...

Single crochet into the back loop.

Row 6:  This is where it could get tricky!  sc into the back loop of the same stitch as ch1, sc in back loop all the way around. ss into first sc, ch 2, turn
Row 7:  dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, dc, dc2tog, repeat* to end, ss to first dc, ch 2 turn
Row 8: dc into same stitch as ch2, *dc, dc, dc2tog, repeat* to end, ss to first dc, ch1, turn

Now if you wanted to change colors for the band, this would be a good spot! You will crochet in the back-loop for row 9, it will make the band more prominent.

Row 9: sc into front loop of same stitch as ch1, sc front loop all the way around, ch1, turn
Row 10-12: sc same stitch as chain one, sc all around (no longer back loop)

Single Crochet into the front loop.

After you have finished decreasing...looks like a deflated doughnut.

Fasten off and weave in ends.  Add some embellishment if you wish, I wove ribbon into one, maybe add a pom to the top.  Make it as Frenchy-French as you like!