This pattern is an adaption of my original ‘Good Wishes for the New Year’, snug beanie that was inspired by Susan Halcrow – a gentle looking woman who I found had, for 83 years, had lived in the house that I bought in Shetland.

Susan Halcrow, was first introduced to me when I started asking my neighbours in Levenwick village, about her. She was born in the croft house that I bought in Shetland, in 1876 and died in 1960.

This New Year Beret pattern includes research photographs of Susan Halcrow and information on my original findings. For further stories go to traceydoxey.com

The name of the original beanie design had long been pondered and as it was all entirely inspired by Susan, In the end, I used the words that Susan had written on a Christmas card, a photograph commercially taken in Lerwick at a photographers studio. so, I called the original beanine hat ‘Good Wishes for the New Year’ and as we near the year end once again, it feels appropriate to call this new beret design ’New Year beret’

This design has added motifs to make a beret instead of a beanine, and the beret bears a change of colour way giving the feeling of midnight colours in a Shetland winter. An inky blue sky.

I believe that we can all feel that sending Good Wishes for the New Year to all of our friends and family whom we know and love in these continued times of uncertainty and change, are how we can connect with a shimmer of hope for next year.

So, I wish you all Good Wishes for the New Year and a productive, positive 2022.

New Year Beret

YARN:- I used 8 colours from Jamieson’s of Shetland Spindrift – Lichen, Chartreuse, Granny Smith, Moorgrass for the motifs Mulberry, Port Wine, Purple heather for the back ground and Cocoa (or Amber) for the singing line. If you want to knit the exact same colourway, you will need one ball of each colour. But you can also use your stash to make your own combinations or any yarn using UK 2:75mm Needles that works.

Needles For rib and Body, I used a UK 2:75mm (US 2mm) circular needle, if you would like the beret a little looser, you could use UK 3mm for the body.
I used circular needle to knit the hat and changed to double ended knitting needles for ease of knitting the crown.

Size The beret is loosely fitted. It measures 8:5 inches (21:5 cm)from the centre of the crown to the bottom of the edge of the rib. And will fit a head of 22 to 24 inches in circumference.

The hat is knitted in the round. The pattern has a chart and full written instructions too. There are also photographs of the hat in progress and tips on how to help you keep in track with the motif, especially at the crown stage.

The chart is worked over 32 stitches and 32 rows, working from right to left across the chart.