Stash-Busting Vintage Beret

Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

I'm on a constant search for hats that flatter my round face and short hair, and I finally decided to start making my own.  I've found that a beret works well for both my hair and face shape as well as being a classic style that works for any decade.  I decided to look through my patterns and stash to see what I could come up with for a low-budget topper.

Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

I decided to go with a knit beret because I've never made one before and I have a few balls of yarn that won't be big enough for garment-type projects.  Luckily, I have the Sweater Girls knitting book that has been languishing on the shelf unused for years... which is ridiculous because there's good stuff in there, including a fabulous Fair Isle beret pattern!


Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

Fair Isle knits are fantastic for stash busting because the multitude of colors means you can use less of each yarn than you would if the whole project were a solid color.  They're great for using odds and ends, which is one reason why Fair Isle was so popular in the 1940s.  After checking the gauge and needle requirements, I knew I'd need yarn finer than typical craft yarn.


Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

I checked my stash and found yarn balls in a few colors.  I had a lot of dusty rose yarn, but I didn't want a pink hat.  I decided to use it as a filler color to coordinate with red yarn which would match a bunch in my wardrobe.  I didn't have many other options and decided a wintery-Christmasy red/green/pink/white combo would match a lot of my closet and have the best chance of "going" together once made up.  They're a myriad of yarns in cotton, wool, and acrylic. 



Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

I've never made a hat, and it took me a couple tries to get the ribbing started out correctly and not twisted... a problem to be aware of when knitting in the round!  After that, the pattern came together surprisingly well.  I didn't have any issues and the way the pattern is charted in the book makes it quite easy to follow.  


Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

I will admit I'm still always amazed when circular patterns work out just right and align smoothly from one round to the next!  It's like magic to me, both that I counted correctly and that the pattern accounts for increases and decreases with accurate math, haha!


It got a bit tight and small toward the center of the hat, but I man-handled the stitches and decreases until I finished.  I tied it off, blocked it for an evening, and BAM!  A new hat from only stash items!



Flashback Summer: Stash-Busting Vintage Beret - Sweater Girls knitting book

I really like the hat, and I'm still figuring out ways to wear it.  Each beret has its own particular shape and way of draping, so I'm figuring out ways that work with my shorter hair.  (I'm still not sure what to do with my hair for vintage looks... but it's just so darn comfy and easy for days when I wear it straight!  I've decided not to care too much about accuracy and just wear my hat happily.) I went with this Bonnie Parker way of wearing it for my study day!  I need more berets in my life, and I'm also pondering giving the Fayne pattern by Tasha a try for a more seasonally-neutral pattern.


In-depth TLDR details:
Yarn: KnitPicks Comfy fingering yarn (75% cotton/25% acrylic) in White, a mystery yarn (lace weight and acrylic, I think) in dark green, KnitPicks Wool of the Andes worsted in "Cranberry" (100% wool), and Jojoland Ballad #205 (fingering 4-ply, 100% wool)
Needles: 3.5 mm
Pattern: Vintage Fair Isle Beret from Sweater Girls
Year: 1940s?
Notions: none
How historically accurate is it?  Considering a beret works for any 20th century decade... I'm going to call it good!  
Any tricky parts to the pattern?  Just be sure you're counting correctly and keeping track of which chart you're on.  It's easy to compare with the pattern picture to see how it works, so not too difficult at all!
Did you change anything?  Nope, I did not!
Time to complete: About a week of knitting in the evenings
First worn: Oct. 18, 2017
Total cost: I bought the yarn and pattern a while ago, so I can't remember.  But no new costs!
Notes: I'll definitely be making this pattern again!  The snowflake shape is wintery, so I'll probably keep it to warmer fibers and winter-appropriate colors.

Outfit details
blouse: Simplicity 4762, me-made
jeans: Smooth Sailing Trousers, me-made
sweater vest: Sunglo 57, Patriot Pullover No. 2652, me-made


Have you ever made a knitted or crocheted hat? (If you have pictures or links, please share them!  I'm looking to make more and would love recommendations.)  Do you know of any other good stash-busting accessory patterns you'd recommend?

10 comments

  1. When I was a freshman, a girl on my floor with an adorable short blond haircut (much like yours) wore a beret on the back of her head like you. It was a revelation that one could wear it in a non-stereotypical "French beret" style. It's also been my fave type of winter hat and fave way to wear it ever since.

    I think it works great for your hair and face :)

    And it's a drop dead gorgeous hat omg your colorwork is so beautiful!

    Tegan

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    1. Ha, thank you so much Tegan! I'm feeling more confident about all of it now. :)

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  2. Fabulous make! So classic and uses up those scraps which is always so satisfying!

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    1. It IS satisfying! Less clutter AND I get a new hat!

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  3. The beret is so cute and I love it teamed with the chunky knit vest! It looks very collegiate casual, which is always a great thing for autumn weather I think... :D

    xox,
    bonita of Lavender & Twill

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    1. I totally agree! I love the old college looks; they encapsulate the "easy & comfortable" vibe I think many of us modern ladies want in our lives!

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  4. Oh, it is super lovely! :) I have the Sweater Girls book too and hope to get something done from it...

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  5. This is a lovely beret! And very "make do and mend", too. I sometimes wear my berets pulled down over my ears like a regular touque. It might not be historically accurate, but it's warm when the temperatures are sub-zero! :)
    And on a different topic- I love your vest/jeans outfit here! The beret works perfectly with it.

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  6. Great look and I love the beret. I have a couple of patterns like that which I hope to make. I want to knit By Gum By Golly's pattern too.

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    1. Yes! If you do make any of the berets, please tag me when you post them! I'd love to gather some more good recommendations. You can never have too many berets. :)

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