Bousta Beret

A beret pattern worked in a soft DK weight merino/angora blend using a traditional Shetland Lace pattern- Horseshoe lace."Bousta" means farm in old Norse. This pattern is available to purchase as a PDF download and includes charts for the lace and a photo tutorial of the Twisted German Cast On used in the pattern.
I rate this as an advanced beginner pattern.

Finished Size
Circumference of beret band is 14.5 inches relaxed but will stretch to fit average woman’s head (up to 23 inches)
Diameter across top of beret when flat 10.5 inches


Materials
* 2 Balls Sublime angora merino (80% extra fine merino/ 20% angora; 130yrds/120m; 50g; DK weight) shown in shade 0047 and 0044 (or approx 180-190 yrds of yarn in a similar weight and gauge range)
* US#4/3.5mm 16-inch Circular
* US#6/4mm 16-inch Circular
* Set of US#6/4mm DPN’S
* Stitch Marker
* Extra Stitch Markers (optional-for marking repeats of lace pattern)
* Knitting elastic (optional-for sewing into hat band to help keep ribbing elastic)

Gauge
23sts and 32 rows= 4 inches in Stockinette stitch on US#6/4mm
Adjust needle size to obtain correct gauge


Huge thanks to the two following ladies:
Model-Cirilia Rose (the two blue beret pics below are of me)
Test Knitter- Christy of neitherhipnorfunky

Dedicated to my parents in Shetland who live in a renovated croft called "Muckle Bousta" (muckle=big) across a wee bay from "Little Bousta" the croft they revived 30 years ago!

Price:$4.00

Slipped Hours

Announcing another pattern available to buy through the Sanguine Gryphon's etsy store!
I designed this for her patterns section using her lovely "Dance" yarn (100% silk noil). It is a reversible (as in front and back) raglan worked from the bottom up. The slipped hourglass pattern is worked into the raglan on the body. The sweater is lightweight and silky against the skin.This yarn truly was a joy to work with. Gryphon has other beautiful hand-dyed yarns available for purchase and some other patterns too. Go check her out!

(Photos copyright of Sanguine Gryphon)

Unst Cap

This close fitting skullcap is not intended to function as your average winter wooly hat (as in not meant for the ski-slopes). Instead it can be worn as an indoor cap (for those who have chillier, older homes) or it can be worn outdoors for those who live in less northerly climes (maybe it’s not even winter where you live), or perhaps you’re just the type who prefers a less scratchy, more modest type of head covering in the winter (like my shaven-headed husband).

The origins of the lace pattern however come from a very northerly location, that of the island of Unst in Shetland (where ironically you’d probably want to wear a less ‘holey’ kind of hat)! I was attracted to this lace not only because it satisfies my need to include some aspect of my Shetland heritage when designing but also because of it's resemblance to crochet.

This classic looking cap can be made for any age, sex or hair length!

SIZE
To fit head size 18(20, 22, 24) inches; 1 year old(2-4 year old, 5-adult small, adult large) Pick a size roughly 2 inches smaller than your head circumference as the cap is meant to be snuggish.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
16(18, 20, 22) inches in circumference

MATERIALS[MC] Frog Tree Pima Silk [85% Pima Cotton/ 15% silk; 155 yds/m per 50g skein]; color: t830; 1 [1, 1, 1] skeins
16-inch US #4/3.5mm circular needle
16-inch US #5/3.75mm circular needle
1 stitch marker

GAUGE 24 sts/30 rows = 4" in stockinette stitch on larger circular needle

Change needle size as necessary to obtain gauge.

PRICE:$2.00