For the head.

Everyone is getting hats for Christmas! Besides the Raisin Beret, I just wrote a pattern for what I'm calling my Bubbly Blue Beanie (which is a little slouchy, but not so much as to be defined as a beret...). I'm hoping to get that typed up and posted here by Thanxgiving. Also in the works is a star stitch beret pattern, but that depends on what cheap yarn finds I can grab at Michaels today (I'm poor, don't judge me.) Since they're having a sale, I just may pick up enough cotton ease to make that vogue cardigan I've been eying for a year now.

Also plugging away at Magknits Sesame... it's slow going just because the stockinette stitch is so boring I could die. But now that the back is done, it's all long, narrow pieces and finishing. I hope to by done in the next couple of weeks. Which is good, because I need all the sweaters I can get up here.

That's the crafting news for now. I'm off to the post office and the Michaels.

Raisin Beret

Looking for a slouchy, comfy, warm, simple-but- not-boring beret? I was. Looking for a way to get rid of those skeins of Simply Soft you thought you were going to make into an afghan, back when you thought you were going to learn how to crochet? Yeah, me, too. Raisins to the rescue!

Raisin Beret.

Size: One (To fit average adult head between 20"-22")

Materials: One-half skein (apx. 150 yds) Caron Simply Soft, color Chocolate 9750, or other worsted weight yarn.
One set US 3 dpns.
One set US 10 dpns.

Gauge: 16 sts/20 rnds= 4" (St st on larger needles.)

Pattern Notes:

Lace pattern:
Rnds 1-5: Knit.
Rnds 6 and 8: *yo, k2tog. Rep from *.
Rnds 7 and 9: *yo, ssk. Rep from *.

Pattern:

CO 104 sts on smaller needles.

Work 11 rnds in 1x1 rib.

Switch to larger needles and complete lace pattern three times.

Next 4 rnds: Knit.

Begin shaping:

Next rnd: *K6, k2tog. Rep from *.
Next rnd: *yo, k2tog. Rep from * until 3 sts remain, sl1, k2tog, psso. (90 sts remain.)
Next rnd: *yo, ssk, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso. Rep from *. (72 sts remain.)
Next rnd: *yo, k2tog. Rep from *.
Next rnd: *yo, ssk, yo, sl1, k2tog, psso. Rep from * until two stitches remain. Yo, ssk. (58 sts)
Next rnd: Knit.
Next rnd: *k3, k2tog. Rep from * until three sts remain. K3.
Next rnd: Knit.
Next rnd: *k2, k2tog. Rep from * until 3 sts remain. K3.
Next rnd: Knit.
Next rnd: *k1, k2tog. Rep from *.
Next rnd: *k2tog. Rep from*.
Next rnd: *k2tog. Rep from*.

Cut yarn and draw through remaining stitches with tapestry needle, pulling snug. Tuck in ends.