Remember the Druid mittens I made just before Christmas?
Well, now they have a beret to match!
I decided a couple of weeks ago that I wanted to turn the mittens into a set, particularly with the cold weather we’ve been having here recently. So, I ordered some yarn from Jamiesons of Shetland to match the mittens, this time in a DK weight (the mittens are made in 4 ply). While I was waiting for it to arrive I started playing around with chart paper and a pencil. I wanted to use the cable-and-bobble and plaited cable patterns from the mittens, and incorporate them into a slouchy beret.
The beret flew off my needles in just a few days, and I am thrilled with how it has turned out. Two things in particular please the maths nerd in me. Firstly, I love how the 2 x 2 ribbing around the rim runs smoothly into the body of the hat:
Secondly, I am really proud of how the decreases on the top look so polished:
I am planning to write the pattern up and share it as a free download on Ravelry. I will not be making a charge for this design, as I see it as riffing on Jared Flood’s theme, rather than creating something from scratch myself.
However, I’ve got a bit of a problem – I need to find a (mac-compatible) knitting chart program. For basic charts I use a knitting font in Word, which works fine. But there are all sorts of stitches in this pattern that aren’t covered by that program.
I could write the pattern out line by line, but I know that my preference is to work from a chart, so I would prefer to provide one for other knitters to use. If you know of a charting program, I would really appreciate being pointed in the right direction for it.
Finally, I just wanted to share another detail that I love about this beret – it is finished off with a bobble!
Beautiful beret, I just love the color!
Charting… hmm, let me dig through my bookmarks. Ah, here’s a couple of free web-based ones which may or may not do the trick for you.
http://www.innaz.com/cgi-bin/makechart/makechart.cgi
http://jacquie.typepad.com/Charts/knitChart.htm
Here’s a font you can download and use in either word-processing or spread-sheets (bottom of page)
http://www.knittinguniverse.com/xrx/DownloadsList.php?CategoryID=32
As for software to install and keep forever, there’s Knit Foundry. Don’t faint, it’s pretty spendy!
http://www.knitfoundry.com/software.html
Good luck to you!
Your beret is gorgeous! Such a great co-ordinate to the Druid mittens. LOVE!
It will definitely be in my queue, thank you for writing up a pattern to share.
Have a wonderful day and Happy Knitting!
That’s a lovely beret! I’m very impressed by people who write their own patterns. I wouldn’t know where to start!
Clever you – a lovely riff
Cannot wait to see the pattern for this. It’s really lovely and I’m so impressed that sorted the pattern yourself!
Really lovely. I am not really a mitten person but, I do have a bit of a thing for hats. I look forward to adding this one to my queue.
simply brilliant!!
Wow! Simply fabulous, the mittens were lovely, but as a set – just gorgeous.
It’s fabulous! I definitely want to make one, can’t wait for the pattern
I am a Mac user too but I’ve never had cause to make a chart (seeing as I have no designer talent whatsoever!!). You could try the Mac users group on Ravelry though, I’m sure there’d be someone there who could point you in the right direction.
Congratulations on your clever work adapting the pattern – it’s all so neat and perfect! I love it!
Stunning and clever. Well done!
Another knitter told me she used this charting program on a project. I have not tried it myself, though.
http://www.microrevolt.org/knitPro/
absolutely stunning! can’t wait to see the pattern written up – you’re right, I think most would prefer to work this kind of piece by chart 😉
Love the matching set. It appeals to the perfectionist in me to have not only colour coordinating, but pattern coordinated accessories. Great job!
Your beret came together beautifully! Lovely matching set!
It is fantastic!! The bobble on the top is perfect!!
Love the beret and looking forard to the pattern!
I found this one when I was searching: http://jacquie.typepad.com/Charts/knitChart.htmhttp://jacquie.typepad.com/Charts/knitChart.htm
I haven’t started using it yet so I don’t know how well it works. Great job on the hat, it is stunning.
Anna, this is just beautiful!! It may be “riffing” on another design, but there’s a lot of skill and style that went into this – kudos!!!
Your beret is lovely! I love that is now a set
Oh – I am so impressed! I bet this is going to take off on Ravelry!
great work Anna. i love the colour too.
Beautiful! No help on the chart, but can’t wait to see the pattern – it really is gorgeous!
it’s really gorgeous! i can’t help (obviously since i know zipzero about knitting) with the chartsprogram. Can’t wait for the download though!!! I definitly will atempt this- am slightly nervous that i will manage it looks complicated, but the result is absolutly stunning!!
It’s beautiful!!! How great to have them matching. I don’t know about compatible programs for the mac. Been wondering myself. I may have to resort to using the programs in Windows on my Mac.
see now that’s a very good use for a bobble! It can be done. They are so over used but really, one tasteful bobble looks great. Well done! It all looks SO GOOD.
Now I’ve found you! I love the beret and look forward to seeing the pattern.
OMG they’re both beautiful. You’re a very very talented knitter!
It’s lovely. I can’t wait until you publish the pattern! And I love the colour of your yarn – it’s gorgeous.
Another fabulous hat you have designed. I might have to try this one once the pattern is available.