Knit for Victory - A Victory Beret

36 comments

My first knitting project was nine months ago. Nine months! I haven't shared anything about my "knitting life" here on the blog, but today I am changing that.  Let me introduce you to Victory, a 1940s style beret pattern designed by Tasha at By Gum By Golly.


I'm not going to lie, when I first saw the pattern I was initimidated. Other than an easy color work beanie from one of Stefanie Japel's Craftsy classes I didn't know a thing about this style of knitting. Thankfully, Tasha hosted a knit-along for her pattern with really really helpful information. If anyone out there is interested in learning color work I highly recommend learning with Tasha's pattern teamed with her knit along posts! 


Knitting with two balls of yarn was a struggle at first and the stitches at the beginning of the hat are far from perfect. I wasn't sure how to to hold the yarn and how to have consistent tension. In the end I held one strand of yarn in my left fingers with the ball of yarn on my left side and one ball of yarn on the right side with a strand of yarn in my right fingers. Keeping everything separate was really helpful because it prevented tangles. Originally I was a British style knitter, but after this project I can kind of knit continental too!


Blocking this was pretty fun. I soaked it in lukewarm water for about a half hour and then carefully soaked up the excess water with a towel. To get the beret shape Tasha recommended blocking the hat on a 10.5 inch dinner plate. Luckily, our dinner plates at home were the perfect size and I let it sit overnight.


Finishing this beret has been such a boost of confidence and I feel much more comfortable tackling new  techniques. What are you waiting for? Go get this pattern!!!!

36 comments :

  1. WOW i love it in pink! I've only knitting a scarf, so to make the jump to circular needles AND multiple colors intimidated me, but after seeing your beret I really want to learn! Great job

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  2. This is amazing! I'm so impressed. I'm a bit scared to try colourwork myself, but when I work up the courage this is definitely the first pattern I'll try. Just gorgeous!

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  3. You are getting so good on your knitting. This look beautiful

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  4. Wow! Beautiful job on the colourwork!!! I haven't had the desire to do it myself (yet) but I think I might want to attempt socks first lol... anyway, I digress - I love the hat and these are beautiful photos of you! :)

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  5. Thanks, Amanda! I didn't have the desire to learn color work until Tasha released her pattern! I'm really glad I knit it because I realized how much I love knitting that style. It's super fun :)

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  6. Thank you! I would love to make a sweater like your MIL made you. It's so cute!

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  7. Thanks, Elena! Honestly, I am so glad that this was my first color work pattern because Tasha's knit-along was SO helpful. She posted a lot of links/techniques that were incredibly detailed and made everything clear and less confusing. When you try out the pattern let me know, I want to see the finished product :)

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  8. Cathy, it's different from the other knitting I have done and it's super satisfying. Is that weird to say? I think using multiple yarns made me slow down a bit and enjoy the process.

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  9. Love it Erin, you did such a beautiful job!

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  10. Ahh so pretty! I am dying to try colourwork but haven't yet. I reckon one of the hardest things will be deciding on what colour combination to use! Yours is a really different look to the pattern and I really like it. Well done!

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  11. How cute are you?! I can't believe you just started knitting and you already made this amazing hat!

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  12. well done- It looks fab!

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  13. This beret is fabulous! I never would've pictured it with these colors, but holy cow, it's awesome! And the pink is SO beautiful with your complexion and your eyes! Gorgeous!!

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  14. I already told you on instagram, but I've gotta say it again, SO CUTE! Love, love, love those colors. Also, your skin is perfect ;-)

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  15. That's an amazing accomplishment! I can't knit & have always been intimidated by it, so for you to tackle this project so early on is super impressive! Love the colours you chose too- very pretty :)

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  16. Debi_myhappysewingplaceFebruary 1, 2014 at 1:03 AM

    Oh my gosh! I love this sooo much in pink! It looks perfect on you and really compliments yor fabulous glasses

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  17. It looks really pretty, Erin! And lovely photos! You are just beaming!

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  18. It's beautiful!! This really is a great hat for practicing colorwork!

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  19. So pretty, pretty, pretty!! I love that it's pink!

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  20. Far from perfect? I think you're closer than you think! The hat looks great and the color work is awesome. Interesting tidbit about blocking over a dinner plate!

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  21. Wow! This is such a gorgeous beret!! I love the pattern, and the colors you chose are just soooo sweet!! I am just learning how to knit, and color work definitely intimidates me!

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  22. Figuring out which colors to use was pretty difficult. I think I ordered eight skeins (three more than necessary), so I could see all the colors together.

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  23. Thanks, Jill! It's amazing what lighting and Laura Mercier makeup can do for your skin :)

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  24. Jenny, you can totally learn to knit! You should try it. I'm going to do a post on how I got started :)

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  25. Thanks, Carlee! I feel so silly taking photos of myself, but the husband wasn't around to play photographer haha

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  26. Thanks, Sallie. When you are ready to start color work I highly recommend Tasha's pattern.

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  27. So lovely and those colours suit you so well! Beautiful job :)

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