Friday, January 9, 2009

Little Red Beret

Hat Number Two – the Red Beret – was actually completed last week, but I was off on an extended trip to the mainland and thus unable to document its arrival into the world. The pattern is Beret Easy, and it is indeed an incredibly easy pattern. You begin with six stitches, increase six times on every round up to a certain point, then decrease at the same points where you increased until the hat fits snugly around the head. A small hem, a little sewing down of the live stitches, and you are done.



I used a cast-on called "Thom Christoph's Circular Beginning" from "A Gathering of Lace." Amazing how this cast-on snugs up the start. There is no hole at all. Granted, this was a DK weight yarn, less susceptible to the leaving behind of little holes than a laceweight. Which yarn is it? Heh.



Does this look familiar? Yep, I had an entire 100gm skein of Schoolhouse Press Quebecoise left over from this vest. Little Red Beret used most of it, just a wee squib left over. Although I'm very pleased with the result – love the shape and especially the color – I'd like to knit this pattern again with a different, softer yarn. The Quebecoise is a rather stiff yarn, perfect for the twisted stitches of the Clock Vest, and it gives a lot of definition to the shape of Little Red Beret as well. I wonder if a softer yarn would produce a more slouchy beret for a different look.



And just to prove I am no coward, here is a full frontal, taken the day of my return when I was seriously sleep deprived. I discovered, howsoever, that appearance-wise there is an upside to being puffy-faced from fatigue. No wrinkles. A striking resemblance to a chipmunk, but no wrinkles. Well, not quite so many as usual anyway.

11 comments:

beverlyanne said...

The little red beret suits you to a t. It looks absolutely great on you. I might break my no hats vow and try a beret. That is the hat the style I like best. Hmm. Red would be nice too.

Delighted Hands said...

See, the trip and the red beret gave you some attitude-you are striking in the hat-it is a mood lifter for sure! Definitely do another in a drapier yarn -it would be interesting to see how it works up.

Sharon said...

I love your vest - I loved the vest from your last post. I have just started wearing them this year, and you're making me jealous. As cute as the beret is, I'm not jealous because I'd never wear one. I have too much hot hair, so head coverings are for my ears, which berets don't do. Cute on you though.

Sheila said...

The beret and vest look great. You look wonderful in the beret. I have recently decided that I love red wool.

Knitting Linguist said...

That's a great beret, and it looks wonderful on you! It'll be fun to see if it does turn out differently in a more drapey yarn, too.

Knitting Linguist said...

P.S. You inspired me. I posted some pics of me in the sweater. I don't look as good in it as you do in your red beret, though! :)

Linda W said...

Ack! Here I am, still looking for yarn in my stash, inspired by your first beret and now you've done another. Not fair, not fair. And, you look great in that beret. Full frontal suit you.

Leigh said...

You are so brave! That is a great shot of you.

The vest turned out great and I love the beret. Thanks for the link to the pattern. I have made a couple of them but they both turned out too small. What fun that you used up most of your red yarn for the two projects. I should be so lucky.

Marjorie said...

The hat looks nice--and it looks nice on you too.

I knitted a beret from a now discontinued Classic Elite yarn, and it had a bit of mohair in it. It gave the hat a nice little glow. Have a look at some of the yarns from The Fibre Company (Soho Purl has it, as does WEBS). I bought some Canopy Sport for a heavier weight shawl, and there is a free pattern for a beret on The Fibre Company website. This yarn would make a nice choice.

Deravelled Gem said...

I am loving these hats!!

I'm having a little giveaway on my blog (my first ever!), and I would love for you to pop over to take a peek. :)

Gemma x x

Anonymous said...

Both the Wooly Wormhead and the Beret Easy are very nice. The red is great, too. Why am I drawn to red now? Thank you, I think you have inspired my next project -- I've been given a sweet teal yarn that will make a fine beret, and my Mom loves teal. First I must finish three pairs of fingerless mitts for my Colorado guys. I wish you well in your move. I enjoy checking in on your blog now and then.