Easy Knit Pink Beret

The origin of the beret can be traced back to the Basques, (people living on both the French and Spanish sides of the Pyrenees Mountains). The original Basque beret was either navy blue or red, but today the beret is available in a wide array of colors. The beret fits snugly around the head, and can be "shaped" in a variety of ways – it is commonly worn pushed to one side (local custom usually prescribes which, but there is no universal rule) and can be worn by both men and women. Few items of clothing have been adopted by so many varied groups of people, living in different periods of history, as the beret. During World War II, the French Resistance movement, the Maquis, wore the Basque beret and because it was the most common French headwear, the Maquis was able to wear it without bringing undue suspicion to this covert operation.
The beret was then taken up by special forces, often with the suggestion of ‘undress’ uniform, such as USA Green Berets, Black Berets (USA Rangers), UN Blue Berets, Turkish Red Berets to name but a few.

Che Guevara, a hero of the Cuban revolution, made the beret a worldwide symbol of the revolutionary guerilla fighter. The Guardian Angels, a vigilante group who patrols the subways and streets of some of the world’s major cities, wear red berets. In fashion the beret is part of the popular stereotype of intellectuals, film directors, artists (particularly painters), hipsters, bohemians and beatniks. The Rastafari movement often wear a knitted or crocheted black beret with red, gold, and green circles atop their dreadlocks. They consider the beret and dreadlocks to be symbols of the biblical covenant of God with his chosen people, the black Israelites. The circular flat shape of the wool, felt or cotton beret can be sporty when worn close to the head facing forward or jaunty when tipped to the side; when pulled down to cover all or part of the forehead, it is more dramatic. Inexpensive and hardy, berets are available in a range of style variations, colors, and sizes.

If you want to get ahead in the style stakes this winter, then don't get a hat, get a beret! Berets are big hits this season. Recently, a long line of celebrity A-listers have been seen sporting a beret, from Beyoncé, Sienna Miller, Cameron Diaz, Rhianna, Fergie, Madonna to Kylie Minogue.


choosing how to wear it is very much a matter of taste. Experiment with jaunty angles and if it feels right for you, then go for it!
The best thing about wearing a beret, apart from giving the impression that you have a sense of fun, is that it suits most face shapes and transcends all age groups.

I chose a soft boucle type yarn in a Pale Rose Pink shade as October is Breast Cancer Awareness month and this is a great way to show your support.

Beret:
Tension 18 sts and 24 rows to 10cm (4ins) Size 5mm needles.

Abbreviations;
K - Knit
P - Purl
M1 - Make one extra stitch by knitting front and back of the stitch
K2tog - Knit 2 stitches together


Cast on 82 sts.
Work 4 rows in (K2. P2) ribbing  inc 3 sts evenly across last row. 85 sts.
Proceed as follows:

1st row: (RS). Knit.
2nd and alt rows: Purl.
3rd row: K1. (M1. K14) 6 times. 91 sts.
5th row: K1. (M1. K15) 6 times. 97 sts.
7th row: K1. (M1. K16) 6 times. 103 sts.
Cont in this manner, inc 6 sts as before on every alt row until there are 115 sts.
Work 4 rows even in stocking st.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K17) 6 times. 109 sts.
Next and every alt row: Purl.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K16) 6 times. 103 sts.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K15) 6 times. 97 sts.
Cont in this manner, dec 6 sts as before on every alt row to 31 sts. Purl 1 row.
Next row: K1. (K2tog. K3) 6 times. 26 sts.
Break yarn leaving a long end. Thread yarn through rem sts. Draw up tightly and fasten securely. Sew back seam.

The main hat trend of this season is a beret. I guess berets will always be in fashion. They can become narrower or wider but they are invariably popular among women all over the world.

'Pink Bubbles' Scarf

As Knitting Galore is 'Going Pink In October' Breast Cancer Awareness Month I chose a pink multi yarn to knit this scarf.
Get ready for colder weather with a scarf that's bold and stylish! Allow me to present this funky 'Pink Bubbles' Scarf created with straight knitting needles (and a little attitude).
Don't you love the great texture? This is a skinny scarf of 'bubbles' that are created by increasing and decreasing at regular intervals, approx 2” wide at widest point and the side edges curl under.The tassels are encased within the first and last bubble.

MATERIALS

100gm Aran type yarn
Straight knitting needles, size 9 (5.50 mm) OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE

GAUGE
18 sts = 4”;  22 rows = 4” in St st

PATTERN STITCH

Row 1 (RS):  * K3 tog, rep from * across – 10 sts.
Row 2:  Purl.
Row 3:  Knit.
Row 4:  Purl.
Row 5:  * K in front, back, then front of next st, rep from * across – 30 sts.
Row 6:  Purl.
Row 7:  Knit.
Row 8:  Purl.
Rep these 8 rows for Pat St.
SCARF

With straight needles, cast on 30 sts. 
 Work even in St st for 4 rows, end on WS. 
 Work even in Pat St until piece measures approximately 54” from beg, end on Row 8. 
 Bind off.

FINISHING

Sew side edges of cast-on end of scarf tog up to second narrow stripe.  Repeat on bound-off end.

Tassels (Make 2):  Cut eighty 8” long strands of yarn and two 16” long strands.  Put shorter strands tog and tie in the center with one longer strand.  Thread ends of long strand into tapestry needle; insert ends into cast-on end of scarf and through second narrow stripe from the inside out.  Pull tassel into sewn end of scarf so that cast-on end of scarf fits down over top of tassel.  Wrap ends of strand in tapestry needle around scarf several times and fasten off securely.  Pull end of scarf down over top of tassel as far as possible.  Wrap second 16” long strand around first narrow stripe tightly and fasten off securely.  The cast-on end of scarf will roll back slightly giving the appearance of a ruffled edge.  Repeat on the bound-off end of scarf with second tassel.

A lot of new knitters start their knitting careers by knitting scarves as they are easy to knit and provide an excellent project to practice their knitting techniques on. Knitting this scarf will not only give you the perfect opportunity to gain knitting experience but you'll have a stylish fashion accessory too. A scarf has the dual benefit of both shielding you against extreme weather conditions, as well as giving you that added sparkle.

Knitting Galore's Going Pink For October

This is my first blog as part of the Ultimate Blog Challenge - a blog post every day of the month October.

Today is the start of Breast Cancer Awareness month celebrating 26years of Awareness, Education and Empowerment. Over the next four weeks much of the knitting in my blog will be in pink  to Show support to those suffering from , and in rememberance of those who lost the fight to breast cancer. It’s a sad fact that most of us know someone that is or has been affected by breast cancer. Every year 50,000 people in the UK alone hear the devastating words ‘You have breast cancer.' Please take charge of your own breast health by practicing regular self-breast exams to identify any changes and schedule regular visits and annual mammograms with your healthcare provider. Nobody knows your breast like you do so you are the best person to notice any changes and being breast aware is easy.Just follow the 5 point code: 1.Know what is normal for you. 2.Know what to look and feel for. 3. look and feel. 4.Report anychanges to you GP immediately. 5. Attend routine breast screening if you are aged 50 or over.

The pink ribbon is an international symbol of breast cancer awareness and the colour pink in general, espcially when worn throughout the month of October, expresses moral support for women with breast cancer. When you think of the colour pink most think feminine,it brings to mind mind  traditional feminine roles, of caring for other people, being beautiful,  being good and the pink ribbon it's self represents a fear of breast cancer, hope for the future,the charitable goodness of people and businesses who publicly support the breast cancer movement. It is intended to evoke solidarity with women who currently have breast cancer.The first time a pink ribbon  was used in connection with breast cancer awareness was in  1991, when the Susan G. Komen Foundation handed out pink ribbons to participants in its New York City race for breast cancer survivors. The pink ribbon was adopted as the official symbol of National Breast Cancer Awareness Month the year after, in 1992 and  was derived from the popular red ribbon for AIDS awareness.

 A pink and blue ribbon is sometimes used to symbolise breast cancer in men, which is relatively rare. The pink and blue ribbon was designed in 1996  to bring awareness that "Men Get Breast Cancer Too!"

As i said earlier most of knitting featured in my blog during this month will be knitted in the colour pink and apart from sharing with you a variety of knitting patterns hopefully i will give you some ideas you can use on  Wear it Pink day which is Friday 26th October 2012 to wear in honour of those who have been diagnosed with breast cancer.

There are so many beautiful yarns in many many shades of pink on the market and i will using just a few.

Happy knitting! and for this month Go Pink!