Pattern: February Beret (free) (my Ravelry project page)
Yarn: Cascade 220 Heathers, colour #4011 “Sparrow”
Needles: 3.75mm and 4mm

It is now officially Hat Requirement Season. Yes, I made that term up, but it’s still entirely true (in England, at least). Getting out of bed with a spring in my step is a thing of the past, especially when the duvet is so warm and snuggly and five more minutes under the covers won’t hurt… except of course that it does, and I’m inevitably then in a rush, on the brink of being late for the bus. At times like these matching my accessories to my clothing is surprisingly not the first thing on my mind, so it’s good that I seem to be acquiring a hat for every outfit in my wardrobe. That’s my excuse for my endless list of hats-to-be-made, anyway.

This one, the February Beret, might just be one of my favourites. The yarn is sturdy pure wool in a subtle but attractive colour, the pattern is a nice mixture of lace and garter stitch and, while quick and simple, didn’t bore me. The original February pattern was Elizabeth Zimmerman’s February Baby sweater (there’s a beautiful example over at brooklytweed), which then evolved into the recently popular February Lady sweater. (I like the patterns, but A-line jumpers that button only at the top don’t suit me in the slightest.)

My modifications were not extensive. I ditched the i-cord edging for something more secure – I cast on 98 stitches and worked 10 rows of twisted rib on 3.75mm needles before I went back to the pattern and started from Round 1 on 4mm needles, but increased to 147 stitches instead of 189. I must take a moment to thank Phoe for the yarn – the rest is being put to good use too, as I’m making a matching scarf.

In other news, I think my Christmas knitting is under control. I say this cautiously, and this weekend has been a bit of a wash-out in that regard, but I am hopeful. It’s not so much that I have a lot as that it’s fiddly… and I have half a dozen started projects of my own that require less concentration. Somehow they seem more attractive at the end of a long day. Funny, that! However, my holiday starts on Wednesday and I will be making up for lost time.

Next time I write, I’ll share some pictures of my latest eBay acquisition: a Vogue Knitting Book from 1949…