Accessories on fire

March's pattern release is actually three patterns - Beret Aflame, Mitts Aflame and Beanie Aflame. The inspiration for all three came from an entry in a stitch dictionary. Despite it being illustrated with a black and white photograph, I could immediately picture this in red and just knew I had to use it for a hat. I bought yarn specifically for it on my trip to Pfaffenhofen, searching the shelves of the Wollmeise shop for the perfect red. The colourway I chose is called Rubin. 

Beanie Aflame came first. This isn't a style of hat I tend to wear myself - I don't find it that flattering a shape for my face - so this was intended as a gift knit from the start. It's also why it is being expertly modelled here by Polly, my mannequin head (made of polystyrene - get it?!). I'm especially pleased with how the ribbing flows into the flame pattern.

I'm more of a beret or tam girl myself, hence the development of Beret Aflame as a sister pattern. The flame pattern is topped with a star-shaped crown formed as the flames die at the top of the beret.

The yardage of Wollmeise Pure is so generous that a matching pair of mitts was an obvious accompaniment to the hats, and I still have yarn left over out of one single skein. I enlisted the help of my 7-year-old son to take the photographs and I think he's done a great job. Just don't tell anyone they were taken by a child!

(If you're interested in the scarf I'm wearing, it's my East Farleigh Bridge crescent shawl, the pattern for which is also available in my Ravelry store.)