I’ve been doing some family history research recently especially around WW1 and come across old pictures of some of my 10 great aunts and grandmothers in a fabulous array of hats. I come from a long line of great hat wearers (including my sister above).

This inspired this tam and mitten set which draws on the knitted hats of the 1910s and 20s. I was trying to name the set when I saw some publicity stills for the adaptation of Vera Brittain’s Testament of Youth, one of which features a knitted tam. As one of my amazing hat wearing family was called Vera too, there was only one choice as a title for this pattern.

The hat is constructed by knitting the cabled band first and then picking up stitches for the crown. It is a surprisingly easy way of making a hat that fits well and looks great.

The cable pattern also runs up the back of the mittens creating a vintage look in a cosy mitten.