Given that my DNA is a soup that comes from the Scottish Highlands and France and those two places pretty much entirely*, it’s really no wonder I’ve always loved a tam or a beret. When this particular pattern by Naomi Grace came to my attention and she was looking for test knitters, I gleefully volunteered. It’s called the Dilly Dill Tam , and it’s available on Ravelry for a reasonable charge.
I used not quite a single skein of Patons Classic Wool Worsted in the lovely Wisteria colourway. This yarn is economical, widely available, and I think a genius choice for a project like this hat where it’s so glorious but you’re going to actually really want to wear the heck out of it and want it to hold up. True testimonial time: I did the test knit in August, and here it is February. I’ve worn the tam so much this grim winter already and it still looks fantastic.
The knit itself was a pleasant level of challenge. The pattern’s author recommends using stitch markers to keep track of the lace pattern and life lines in case of difficulties. I didn’t need the lifelines, though I did use them, but I’m pretty sure I could not have completed this project without the stitch markers!
Though it was theoretically a test knit, I don’t think I found a comma out of place. My contribution was more in the order of “Wow, this is a great pattern to work from!” I guess confirmation is helpful too.
I wish I had a modelled picture of it because it wears so well. Look at this one from the pattern page. The band is so perfect! I will certainly seek out more Naomi Grace patterns in the future. This, my friends, is why well-crafted patterns are worth paying for. So good.
There! I added an action photo. How ya like me now? Cute tam though, right?
*Recently confirmed through DNA testing because I thought surely there’s got to be something else in there before the many, many generations on each side of my family that can be reliably traced back. The answer is “why would you have paid for that, you silly gommach?” and “non, madam” for the Scottish sides and French sides, respectively.
