Dec 13 2005
Mais Oui, Le Béret!
Aran Tweed Beret
Yarn: Jo Sharp Aran Tweed in Jewel colorway
Pattern: Jo Sharp Contemporary Knitting II (a gift from Jac!)
Notes: Hard to photograph the true color - this is the closest! The hat could also be a little longer to cover the ears fully. This would have required an extra ball of yarn - I had about 3 inches of yarn left after seaming - really cut it close!
Quick, easy, and fun. It was not knit in the round, so it required a quick seam, but otherwise, very painless. I liked working with this yarn. Then again, I have not yet met a tweed I did not like! I realized later the the particular way I am wearing this hat in the picture looks more like a beanie than a beret. Trust me, it can look like a beret too. I can’t wait to make some of the other lovely things out of this book. Another thank you to Jacqueline for sending it to me all the way from Australia!
This was my first Jo Sharp knit, and I have to say, after looking through her new Eclectic book in All About Yarn (and on the website), I don’t think it will be the last. I am quite fond of that square-neck tank…
Kris and I had a long weekend with the snow day on Friday. This gave me some extra time to work on my paper - it is going well, and I am close to finishing. Most of my weekend was spent working on that, and preparing the Vickie Howell interview. Thank you so much for the feedback on that post.
On Sunday night, we went to see our nieces in a Christmas pagent. They were both so cute and animated. We love every minute with them!
K and M with matching snowman dresses!
After the play, we went to visit with my parents for a while - my sister is back from college for Winter Break already. She got out before me!
Imagine my surprise and delight when they both pulled out their knitting! Remember, the knitting lesson at Thanksgiving? Well, both Mom and Sarah are pros now! Mom is already making another scarf to give as a gift, and Sarah is knitting up a variegated garter scarf! I am so proud! *tear*
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This means that only my dad and Mimi are left! The family that knits together… 
Now that the beret is done, and my head and ears can be warm, my attention has moved squarely to Kris’s zippered cardigan. Thanks for the zipper suggestions! Am I crazy for actually looking forward to that part? (just to try it?) The yarn is working up pretty nicely - it is thick and thin in some parts, which makes the gauge a little wonky, but Kris commented that he really liked it - and that is what matters. The yarn is a great color - a warm golden caramel.
Eight and half inches behind me. I am loving every minute of this.
Stay tuned for answers to Karma’s music meme tag and some overdue Socktoberfest updates in the next entry - until then!
the beret looks fabulous! and i’m with you on jo sharp patterns. i don’t know why they don’t get a lot of attention here in the states. the details are great and her yarns are really nice too.
kris’s cardigan in the malabrigo looks great! i love that yarn too. i can’t believe it’s just regular wool. it will be a great piece to wear!
The beret looks terrific. I love the malabrigo yarn. It is so soft.
take care
You look fabulous in your beret! Beautiful yarn you’re using for the zip up cardi too.
The beret looks so warm and soft - perfect for the harsh winter weather (snow - ugh) out there. Kris’s sweater is coming along beautifully - what a lovely color. Great job getting your mom and sis hooked on knitting too - the more the merrier!!
The beret is great and it looks great on you (hats and my hair don’t mix well) - the girls are adorable and the Cardi yarn is gorgeous. How do you like working with the thick/thin texture? It took me awhile to get used when I used it, seemed somewhat uneven at first, but looked great when finished.
Have fun!
The beret is adorable on you! And how cool that the fam is still knitting. Way to go, Lolly. Our plan to take over the world with knitting progresses.
You finished that beret fast! Now you have to try those gloves from Knitty.
And I *love* the handpainted yarn and wish I had bought tons more of the worsted weight before they “ran out.” So soft, and such a pleasure to work with.
Shoot, Karma tagged you with the meme before I could. Anyway, love that close-knit family!
wow I’m loving that beret! too cute!
I also want to curl up on your caramel knitting with a cup of cocoa and sleep…it looks so comfy and warm!
I love the yarn for Kris’ sweater. What a great color. You look so cute in the beret! Stay Warm!
I love the beret. I need a little something fashionable for rain days taht isn’t too heavy and I think I just found it! Now I have to find that book. Oh great another knitting book…..see what your gorgeous hat has started!
Lookie at you! C’est tres bon chic! I love that your mom and sister are pros.
Eight and a half inches on the sweater already? Whoa, you’ve got flying fingers! It really is a lovely color in a lovely yarn. Tres chic beret as well, I hope it helps keep that heat in. I’m really jealous that you got a snow day on Friday, I was hoping against hope for one but it was in vain. Maybe next time…
oooh - the brown is beautiful!
Love the beret! It looks so great on you! I’m looking forward to seeing how Kris’ cardigan comes out. I haven’t made a sweater for Philip yet, I’m a little scared to!
Your nieces are just too cute! I have nephews, they’re cute, but you sure can’t put them in matching snowman dresses!
Kris’ sweater is going to look great! I really do love the yarn, it looks like it’s going to be perfect for that pattern. Oh, I’ve had to sew in a zipper to a cardigan once. My advice is pin the heck out of it. You don’t want one side to end up higher than the other because the knitted fabric creeped up! Pins are your friends!
Your beret is so cute, your niece’s are precious, and I love the color of Kris’ cardigan!
Very cute beret!
It’s fabulous that your family is still knitting away after your lesson. Yay for them and for you! More yarn enablers are created.
The beret looks so adorable on you! And Kris’ sweater is coming along beautifully.
Super cute beret! That will surely keep your ears warm this winter. I’m loving Kris’ sweater and all of its thick/thinness. I hope we’ll see a picture of your dad knitting this Christmas!
Wow that Aran Tweed looks yummy. Is the zip cardi made of the same yarn…oh wait, I remember, it’s Malabrigo… I love that color. Great looking hat!
Lolly - love the beret! You’re so cute in it! ALSO, I really am watching Kris’ sweater come together. Love the yarn choice for that pattern…….knit on, girl!
That square neck tank looks super cute. And I love the cardigan. Good luck finishing up your paper!
I can’t believe how quickly you knit the beret…looks fabulous on you! Also love the cardigan color! Your nieces are Adorable!!!!! Go mom & sis!!
when the heck do you have time to have such a great social life? i’m so jealous!! the hat looks great, hint hint wink wink
cute hat, lauren. must come in handy now that the weather is cold. let me know hwo you like the handpainted yarn, i wanted to try, but not sure how it holds up. thanks!!
You look fantastic in your beret, Lolly! Kudos! Your nieces are adorable in their matching dresses too!
I really like the yarn you are using for Kris’s cardi … I know they have lots of other beautiful colours too!
Don’t you think in the picture of your nieces, M looks very much like Pixie? The way she smiles and looks into the camera … cute!
You knit that up quickly! Very charming on you. It should help you stay warm. Wear it well.
That beret looks really good on you. Cold weather, you are ready. Aren’t you a proud knitting mama?? Two more knitting crazies in your family.
Your beret looks fantastic and you look so cute in it.
I’m really liking that square tank, too. A KAL, perhaps? 
Your nieces are so adorable! I bet they were so cute in the pageant. Bossy actually has a gymnastics “pageant” coming up soon, and I’m so looking forward to seeing all the little ones do their dances. Your mom and sister are adorable, too! I can really see the family resemblance, especially between you and S. That’s so wonderful that they caught the fever! I bet you can manage to convert your Dad and Mimi yet..;-) Looks like Kris’s cardi is really coming along- you can do it, Lolly! Take care and good luck finishing up that last paper…you’re almost home-free! 
Love, C.
You look great in your beret. I like Jo Sharps designs as well.
Thank you for the input on Colinette. All of your comments just confirmed my suspicions. Colinette is great, but pricey, and I can live without if for a while.
Amy
The hat looks great, Lolly girl! I love it. And you’re making a great start on Kris’ sweater! Jo Sharp is one of my favorite designers. I love all of her stuff.
I love the colour for Kris’s cardigan. I will be very interested to see how you get on with the zip(per) because I have to add half a one to the sweater that I am knitting (very slowly) for Mr KN!
You have very cute nieces!!
Hi Lolly, Your blog sure moves fast! Your beret looks cute on. As my grandmother would say, you have a hatty face… hats don’t look good on everyone, I for one, surely do NOT have a hatty face.
Kris is in for a real treat with that zippered cardy. I love the way the yarn is varied in thickness, thats why I love the Collinette yarns so much.
BTW, Loved your VH interview, great questions!
love the beret! good luck finishing up the semester. you can do it!
Very Chic le beret! Great FO Lolly. I do love this wool you are using for the zipped cardi, looks as if it is growing fast too…
Cute beret Lolly! And, cute nieces!
Isn’t it so great to have a family full of knitters? I got my MIL & future sister in law into it a few months ago… now every family dinner turns into a knit night!
Nice work on the beret - you wear it well! And I love the Manos color you picked for Kris’s cardigan - it’s beautiful!
As my high school French teacher would have said, “How cute-ch is your hat?” And Kris’s cardigan seems to be coming along. That color is delicious!
Cute beret! You wear hats and scarves very well.
Kris’s cardigan looks yummy. I’ve been tempted to use that yarn for a super simple cardigan pattern that calling for Manos (slightly out of my budget!). The color variations are really pretty.
the beret is so cute! and i love the caramel yarn — it’s knitting up wonderfully. and you’re enjoying it, which is even better.
didn’t read many blogs this weekend, so i’m just now seeing your interview with vickie howell! you’re the larry king of knit blogs!
Love the beret! Perfect timing, as there is more snow in the forecast…
I think it’s great that your Mom and sister have taken to the craft quite readily.
lovely beret, and lovely blog!!
your articles are really interesting!
très jolie mademoiselle!
Great beret. I love it, and think I need one.
That sweater is going to be fabulous, and I’ll be watching with curiosity as you attach the zipper eventually. I’ve never done that either… Looks great, and such cute nieces.
Your beret’s gorgeous! It looks great on you!!
Schönes Beret! Trés chic!
Deutsch ist doch ok für Dich?
Mein Englisch ist nämlich nicht so toll… ;-(
Liebe Grüsse -
Alexandra
Your new hat is adorable and it looks great on you. What wouldn’t with your pretty face! To prove how movie-star-gorgeous you are I present this evidence: My 9 year old daughter was looking over my shoulder while I was reading your blog. She said, “Hillary Duff KNITS???” haha I rest my case.
Cute hat. I love it and you look so stylish. Sounds like you’ve been busy as usual.
I think the hat looks great on you - not everyone can pull off a beret. Go you on getting the family to knit! I’ve tried countless times but they always roll thier eyes at me and sigh - although they are always asking for a hat or scarf!
wow! your beret turned out fab! perfect for you
I am really looking forward to the completion of the zippered cardigan. It looks scrumptious.
Great beret! I hope it keeps you warm in the snow. The sweater is coming along nicely - I’m sure Kris will appreciate all the love you put into it! Good luck on your paper and have a super week Lolly!
You are too cute! Great beret.
I am so impressed your mom and sis are still going strong with the knitting…great pictures!
Excellent knits, and good work on converting a couple more knitters. I’m very excited that my brother’s girlfriend has asked me to teach her over the break.
Great beret. So, now the trick is to get your dad knitting!
Darling beret! XXOO
The beret looks great on you! Also enjoyed the interview with Vickie.
Lolly, you are honestly one of the few people I have seen who can wear a beret and not look like an asshole. You are genuinely ADORABLE in it. Darn you, for proving me wrong!
Too cute! It should keep your head nice and warm for the rest of the winter. Enjoy!
There you go again lookin’ all sassy in a beret!
Kris’s cardigan will be so awesome, he’s going to love it. Knitknitknit!
oh my GOSH.. those must be the two CUTEST little girls on the planet! What a lucky auntie you are! *grin*
Your beret is so great! I love the caramel color you’re using for the cardigan.
Hey Lolly…your beret is chez magnifique, even if you did steal my favorite yarn! It looks just adorable on you…and I think your gonna need it! It is cold outside, brrrr. Can’t wait to see you Wednesday ; ) xo D