Incroyable!

Jean K Jean

Bringing the beret back

This guy makes me laugh so hard.  

I don't know if you've noticed, but the beret is making a comeback.  Merci, Jean K Jean.  Just kidding, I highly doubt the beret's popularity can be attributed to Keenan Thompson's SNL character, but you guys don't mind if I make some imaginary connections for the sake of a blog post that makes me laugh, do you?  Mais, non.  

C'est moi.  

I have a colossal stash of yarn.  Mostly odds and ends left over from past knitting projects, but I also have a healthy inventory of untouched skeins from elaborate enterprises that lost my interest before I even picked up my needles.  If you're like me, you've already realized that a knitting hobby is like a cocaine habit.  It'll make you go broke.  You could end up homeless on the streets.  But of course, you would have plenty of warm, luxurious sweaters to keep you snug at night.  

I made a deal with myself.  No new yarn purchases until an attempt was made to exhaust some of my yarn stash.  Accordingly, I've been making a lot of quick, little items like washcloths and hats.  Ergo, this beret.  

It's not really the classic Jean K Jean style, it's more like a bulbous beanie.  But it'll keep you warm at football games or on your morning walk to the bus stop.  It is incredibly easy to make and everybody has at least one skein of worsted weight yarn stashed somewhere in their house, right?  Zut alors!  

Here's how you make it:

I used worsted weight wool, US 8 16 inch circular needles and US 8 double pointed needles.  

SSK (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 stitches as if to knit, one at a time, to the right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 stitches and knit them together.

Cast on 80 stitches with the circular needles.  Mark beginning of round and join.  Work in K1, P1 rib for 1 1/2 inches.  

Increase round:  (K1, K into front and back of stitch) all the way around = 120 stitches.  

Knit until beret measures 4 1/2 inches from beginning.  Place markers every 20 stitches = 6 markers total.  

Decrease round:  (SSK, knit to marker, slip marker) all the way around.  Knit 1 round even.  Repeat last 2 rounds 6 more times then repeat the decrease row every row until 6 stitches remain.  Switch to double pointed needles when beret is too small for the circular needles.  

Using a tapestry needle, draw the yarn through the remaining 6 stitches and secure with a knot on underside of work.  Weave in ends.  

Voila.

Comments

[Melanie Bian Lee]

Oh my - any chance you have any of these running around on the 'bulbous beanie' black market? I would be on the market for one - they are soooo very cute! Your talent amazes me. I must also know: What lipstick are you wearing? I love the color.

[Lanie]

That is so cute! It is my favorite color and makes me want to pick up knitting needles. Looks adorable on you by the way!