If you asked my husband who my favorite author is, he would answer without a moment of hesitation, Elizabeth Zimmermann. I have read, and reread her books, and seem to each time learn a little more.
One of my favorite projects is the February baby sweater. The gull lace, and the simple garter stitch are just lovely, a timeless classic.
The other day, I was working at Windsor Button, and we had just received a shipment of Manos Silk Blend, and I was assigned the job of twisting the skeins. Each color was more beautiful than the last, and soon enough, I started making a little side pile just for me. I did exercise some restraint, and settled on 2 skeins of color 300X, a lovely ochre.
What could I do with the 2 skeins? A February Beret!
I chose an i-cord to edge the beret as opposed to a rib. I did not want it to detract from the fluidity of the gull lace. The gull lace starts right after the cord, and like in the inspirational sweater, the project is finished with a simple garter stitch crown. I chose to make the beret large enough for it to have a slight slouchy, relaxed appearance.
Knitting the beret was so relaxing, the pattern easy, and the yarn silky soft.
February Beret
Yarn: 2 skeins Manos silk Blend color 300X
Needles: 16" US 5, set of dpt US 5
Gauge: 6 sts/inch in garter st
Gull Lace:
R1: K1, K2TOG, YO, K1, YO,SSK, K1
R2: Knit
R3: K2TOG, YO, K3, YO, SSK
R4: Knit
1. Make a 6 stitch Icord until the cord measures 18".
Graft live stitches to the beginning of the cord, or for a simpler solution, BO, and sew both ends together.
2. Pick up and knit 126 stitches. Join the round.
Round 1: *K1, K1f&b* Repeat from * to *. You will have 189 sts total.
3. Continue in the gull lace pattern for 5" (ending with R3)
4. Continue in garter stitch as follows:
R1: Knit
R2:Purl
R3:*K5, K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R4:Purl
R5:Knit
R6:Purl
R7:*K4, K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R8: Purl
R9: Knit
R10: Purl
R11: *K3, K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R12: Purl
R13: Knit
R14: Purl
R15: *K2, K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R16: Purl
R17: Knit
R18: Purl
R19: *K1, K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R20: Purl
R21: Knit
R22: Purl
R23:*K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R24: Purl
R25: Knit
R26: Purl
R27: *K2TOG* Repeat from * to *
R28: Purl
R29: Knit
R30: Purl
Gather the remaining stitches, and weave in ends.
Enjoy your beret!
Sunday, October 5, 2008
Dear Elizabeth, how about a February Beret... FREE PATTERN
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21 comments:
Wow, ths is pretty and looks really easy. Thanks. I will definitely try this one.
Spectacular. And so generous of you to share. I am a recent devotee of EZ. Love her voice on the page.
It is beautiful. I can't wait to cast on. Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for the great pattern! I love the February Sweater, too. What would it take to make it baby-size?
Loved the berret, that in a XXL size would be great for my locks (dreadlocks) ^_^
Good job! And thanks for the pattern
Bless*
Sofia
Beautiful. Thank you for sharing the pattern.
Thank you! I saw a hat like this today and thought I want one! Now I can make one.
Lovely!
Perfect! I've been looking for the past month for a knitted, lace beret pattern. I can't wait to try it!
It's beautiful! I have some pretty handspun to use for it. Thank you!
This beret looks quite good!
What a gorgeous pattern and fun blog! I'll be linking to this!
Thank you! I wear a hat every day, summer, fall, winter spring, and it will be great to add this beret to the mix.
I am in love with this beret. It's absolutely beautiful and the color is so rich and exciting to stare at. I'm also a huge fan of Windsor Button. I have got to invest in some Elizabeth Zimmerman books.
This is such a charming beret, thank you so much for the free pattern. I saw it first on Ravelry and I really would like to make one.
Best wishes, Suzi
I was looking for a beret pattern to knit and saw this post.I really like the design and am going to give this a try. but I'm very new at knitting and have some questions..erm..what does pick up and knit 126 stitches mean? is it cast on 126 stitch and then knit 1 round? And how do i connect the Icord to the other portion?
Hello! I love your beret and I want to try to make it. Can you tell me what your head measurements are? I kinda have a big head *shame* and want to know if I should add a few more stitches! Thank you!
Do you think this pattern would work in a 83/17 pima cotton/silk yarn? I am allergic to wool, so I don't have too many choices.
Thanks!
Thank you so much for the pattern! Just finished knitting it in Alpaca, and it is really really sweet! Finally a beret where I can hide my locks and still look presentable :)
Thanks so much for the pattern - Mine is not quite as tight as yours using Sinfonia cotton. I really really like the icord band! I'll post a photo in my tribe, and facebook pages with a link.
Jacks.my.dog.71@gmail.com
Hey, so if you want an i-cord on the edge of your knitting there's a much easier way to get the effect without having to pick up stitches. I hate picking up stitsches! Here it is for a 6 stitch i-cord,but it can be done with an i-cord of any size really: Cast on 6 stitches. Knit them all and then slip them one by one back onto the left needle. Knit into the front and back of the first stitch and then knit the rest of them. (You'll probably have to pull this first one pretty tight so that the end of your i-cord doesn't have a gaping hole, but the rest of them shouldn't need it.) Slip six of the stitches back onto the left needle, leaving one on the right needle and continue until you have the number of stitches you want plus five. This instead of knitting into the front and back of the first stitch, knit the first two together and knit the remaining 4. Know slip 5 stitches off of the right needle and onto the left needle and continue until you only have one left. Knit this one together with the top stitch on the right hand needle, and voila! You have an i-cord and stitches ready to be knit without picking up a single thing!
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