The latest edition of Tauko Magazine, issue 16, has one of Liz Haywood’s zero waste creations, a zero waste beret. Imagine my excitement when Liz contacted me months ago and asked me if I’d be willing to be a fit model as my head is the smallest size, and my husband’s is the biggest, so he was invited too. I accepted so fast I’m surprised she didn’t lose a hand!

I have to say at the outset that the production of a pattern for a magazine is a fascinating process. Liz sent me the rusty coloured wool beret first and it was love at first sight. I couldn’t wait for cool weather. I sent her photos – she had to tell me how to wear it as I was a bit old school, with my beret tipped on the side.

Liz then sent me a denim one (she was sending them to my husband too), which she had modified slightly. This was followed by a zoom meeting with Liz and Tauko’s patternmaker, Stefanie Kroth. Liz tells me that Stefanie prepares the patterns for the magazine, does the grading and sometimes makes samples, contributes patterns, and admins the facebook page, so she’s busy!  She’s a zero waste patternmaker, and author of the book, Zero Waste Nähen. See Liz’s review of the book.

The theme of this issue of Tauko is architectural and Liz named her beret after the Louvre because the construction reminded her of the pyramids at the Louvre. Did I mention that this is a zero waste beret? The pattern is quite fascinating. If you want to look at how it is made, check out Liz’s YouTube channel.  

OK, so let me show you how I styled the two Liz sent me. I have to say that they are beautifully made and it’s a pleasure to wear them.

I’ll show you the rust coloured wool one first. It goes with so many things in my wardrobe and I have so many photos, so just selected a few.

I thought that I would wear it with my Tauko Centrefold made from recycled jeans and Stokx Square Pants from RM Williams moleskin. This beret is really warm and I find myself wandering around in it all the time.

I love it with the Danish jumper I knitted from a  Hanne Falkenberg kit, bought in Sweden. This jumper is a bit architectural – it starts with a small triangle and grows outwards. Also Fibremood Fulki in orange denim and a self drafted shrug. The brooch is mink and was my mother’s. Not sure how I feel about it, but I can’t not use it.

It’s perfect for dog walking on a cold day and goes so well with the orange denim Stokx Square Pants. Top is a hacked Cora blouse.

It looks fabulous with my gay pride jumper, knitted as part of a challenge, and with my vintage viyella cora blouse.

And on a rainy day it coordinated perfectly with my Carbeth cardigan and new denim Stokx Play Pants.

The berets have a ribbon threaded through a channel allowing it to be adjusted for size.

The denim beret has a pink channel but I could never manage to tie the ribbon tightly enough to fit my head, so I replaced it with elastic. For some reason I haven’t had the issue with the rusty beret, I think it might be smaller and I don’t need to tie the ribbon at all.

I can’t decide whether I need to tuck the pink edging in, but it’s so pretty that I haven’t bothered. Wearing it with my pink blanket zero waste jacket from Liz’s e-zine and also her Smith Pinafore. My mother’s vintage Liberty silk scarf and a washable paper tote with reclaimed leather handles finishes the look. I made the tights too!

I did try it with my summer Tauko Centrefold and quite like the pairing.

And of course it had to be worn with the denim version of the Tauko Centrefold. With Fibremood Dasha trousers.

More Tauko Centrefold, Louvre beret and Stokx Square Pants. I quite like this look.

On a walk in the bush and I have no idea what I’m doing. Was I talking about fishing and the one that got away?? More Tauko Centrefold and denim Stokx Play Pants.

I had to include another couple of photos as this forest is so wonderful. These are Karri trees and I did manage to do a bit of Shinrin-yoku or forest bathing. I love getting a reset from the trees, but I had to get away from the road (and the phone) to do it. The smell is amazing and it’s a beautiful time of the year as I don’t have to worry about snakes.

I also took some photos of Mark in his beret, but can I say that he doesn’t suit a beret at all?! The fit though was superb and he did enjoy the whole process and asked me lots of questions about Liz and her patternmaking; it was lovely that he was so interested in what she does and he even read a few of her blog posts. .

Finally your reward for reading to the end – a photo of Miss E who loves putting her babies to bed. I think she had designs on putting Pepper in the pram too!