Beret Me*

I am getting ready to go to Ireland in about 2 weeks, and I could not be more excited, for a number of reasons:

1. A few years ago, I was on a day cruise on the Rhine in Germany. I was pretty drunk and talking pretty loudly, so there was no doubt that I was an American. An Irish girl about my age (who looked like she could be my sister) came up to me and said, "well, so, I guess your grandparents came from Ireland, didn't they? You sure look it!"

I think she was also drunk.

Maybe our shared alcohol consumption was another reason she thought I was Irish...

Anyway, I like the idea that everyone there looks like me. We'll see if it is true.

2. A few more years ago, a friend of mine spent a year in Ireland researching his dissertation. He brought back some amazing tweed wool that I still pet from time to time. I have swatched it and agonized over what to make from this incredible stuff.

I want a sweater. I have enough for a hat. I'm gonna get some more.

3. I love Guinness. (I love Beamish even more, but their brewery is unfortunately in Cork.) I also love a good black and tan (or Half-and Half, I can never remember which name is considered offensive for which part of the island).

It will probably be a bit colder and rainier than here in Israel, so I decided to make myself a beret for the trip.

Pardon my sleepy eyes. Mornings are when I have the best light in my office.

My beret owes a great deal to Elizabeth Zimmermann's Tam from Knitting Workshop.

Here it is, from the top:

And here's how I made it:

I used two strands of yarn held together - one fuzzy laceweight (something like Kidsilk Haze would work well) and one DK microfiber.

Gauge: 5 sts = 1 inch. (20 sts = 10 cm.) I used a size 6 16" circular, and DPNs at the end.

Cast on 96 stitches.

Work k2, p2 rib for 1 inch.

Increase row: K3, m1 all the way around. (128 stitches.)

Work in stockinette for 3 1/2 inches.

Decrease row: K2tog, k62, k2tog, knit to end. (126 stitches.)

Begin regular decreases, decreasing 6 stitches per row:

1. K19, k2tog all the way around.

2. K18, k2tog all the way around.

3. K17, k2tog all the way around.

Continue in this fashion, decreasing 6 stitches per row until you only k2tog all the way around - 6 stitches remain.

K2tog all the way around - one more time - so three stitches remain. Place all 3 on a DPN and work a small I-cord tab, if desired - mine is about 3/4 in.

Weave in ends.

Fly to Ireland. :-)

*This post's title inspired and excused by this Op-Ed piece from the New York Times.