Beaulieu Tam

The “whitework” technique in medieval manuscripts is that of painting fine lines in white paint across a coloured background. Whitework was very much in vogue in Western Europe, starting about the 12th century, and was certainly in full swing during the 14th century. The opening page of the medieval manuscript Roman de la Rose, scribed by Girard de Beaulieu, contains a variety of whitework motifs which were adapted for the different sections of this beret. De Biaulieu was a cleric of St-Sauveur in Paris, and this popular poetic work is dated 1353.

• Source image
• More information about the source document

Note: This pattern is part of a collection of accessories built around a theme of medieval illumination. You can purchase the patterns individually or as an entire collection: Whitework: Accessories inspired by medieval illumination

Skills required

• Knitting, purling
• Increasing, decreasing
• Stranded knitting
• Chart reading
• Yarnovers
• Working in the round with DPNs (alternatives: two circulars or magic loop method)

Size information

• Small: 10.25” diameter, 20” brim circumference
• Large: 11.5” diameter, 22.5” brim circumference

Beret is expected to fit around head as shown with between 5-15% negative ease on the brim circumference. Model shown was made in the small size.

Yarn requirements

• Small: approximately 130 yards main colour and 75 yards contrast colour
• Large: approximately 160 yards main colour and 90 yards contrast colour

Other materials needed

• Either 3.5mm 16" circular needle and one set of 3.5mm DPNs or (for two circulars) two 3.5mm 16" circular needles or (for magic loop method) 3.5mm 32" or longer circular
• 4mm needle (for bind-off)
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge

28 sts and 28 rounds to 4" in stranded pattern on 3.5mm needles after blocking