Knit for Victory - A Victory Beret

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!!!!