What do Che Guevara, Rembrandt, and Lauren Bacall have in common? The flat wool disc of a hat that is a beret! Over the centuries, the beret has found its way onto the heads of peasants, artists, actresses, revolutionaries, and military personnel. Today, wearing a beret can be chic and fashionable and worn by both women or men.

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My Crochet Beret has been morphed into a Slouchy Newsboy Hat by the simple addition of a visor. The Slouchy Newsboy Hat can be worn so that the visor is centred on the face.

To wear the Crochet Beret, place the rim so that it sits 3/4 of the way up your forehead. The back should approach the back of your neck comfortably. Position the beret so that it comes over one ear and tilts to that side. Experiment and adjust the beret for balance and a flattering look.

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I enjoy taking a good basic hat pattern and morphing it into other interesting looks. Usually the first time around, I’ll construct the hat following the instructions of the pattern. Then, based on the outcome, I modify by adding and subtracting elements. This Savannah Slouch Hat (designed by Rebecca Langford) with herringbone stitch is an example.

The reverse side of this hat reveals a waffle-like pattern that can be used as the “right side”. It looks different, yet still appealing. I finished the hat below with one row of red trim and took out the button detail.

Crochet the hat longer and it becomes a slouch hat. Keep it short and it’s a beanie. Turn the slouch inside out and roll up the ribbing and it transforms to a cuffed toque.

The two hats pictured above are made of soft superfine alpaca and Peruvian Highland wool and trimmed in contrasting colours. This pattern is fun to crochet in different yarns and colours and the hat is versatile and easy to wear.

If you are new to wearing hats, you might want your first hat in a neutral colour such as beige, brown, grey, navy, or black. A hat sits close to and frames the face, so choose a shade that is flattering to your complexion and your hair. The hat colour should make your skin tone glow, not drain the natural colour from your face. If it’s dark outside, make yourself more visible with a light coloured topper.

Consider a hat colour that complements an outfit. For example, a grey hat pairs well with a black or navy jacket. A green hat can look appealing with brown or grey. Avoid being too matchy-matchy. Break up a monochromatic look with another colour. Draw inspiration from paint colour palettes.

When you are ready to step it up a notch, accent your clothing with headwear of bold contrasting colour. A crimson hat might pop against a black coat. Or enjoy a trim or embellishment of strong colour, say a royal blue ribbon on a camel coloured hat. Make a statement.

It’s time to walk the dog. But, oh, it has started to rain…not unexpected in the fall in Vancouver! Grab your hat.

I made this hat with a black “Dintex” rainwear fabric that is water and wind resistant and breathable. I sealed the seams so water would not penetrate through the small holes created by the sewing needle.

The brim is designed a bit shorter than a traditional ball cap, providing protection from the rain while allowing an open view of what’s ahead. It has a more curvaceous outline and a soft interfacing, rather than a stiff plastic liner, giving it a more feminine look and feel.

The lining material is polyester, striped with a slight sheen. It adds a bit of pizzazz to the cap. You will feel protected from the elements and, at the same time, stylish.

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We may long to travel to some sun-drenched vacation destination. But this year of the COVID-19 pandemic, we choose wisely and responsibly a summer stay-cation. Here in British Columbia, there are a multitude of scenic places to visit with coastal water, inland lakes, forests, and mountains. There are a variety of outdoor activities to pursue, such as hiking, fishing, and swimming. Or we can just relax on an outdoor patio wearing a reversible sun hat.

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I’ve been having fun sewing reversible bucket hats. Each starts with the selection of two complementary or contrasting fabrics. This can be a most time-consuming step as my hat aficionado friend discovered on our fabric shopping expedition. We both liked the natural slubs of woven linen and geometrical Japanese patterns of “Sevenberry” cotton.

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A reversible hat is versatile, two hats in one! Another thing of interest is that the underside of the brim shows off the second fabric which frames the face. Reversible buckets with chin straps and UPF sun protection are commonly worn by kids at the beach. For all, they are a casual and playful fashion accessory.