This week we dug out the knitted beard collection for some shepherds to wear in a Christmas play (I’m on the costume committee). You may remember these from a few years back (here and then here).
We had a lot of fun trying them on. They look best with hats. The two loopy beards tie on around the head and are secured with hair clips (thus the need for hats). The others handily loop around the ears on narrow elastic.
Meet Fisherman’s Friend and Eric the Red.
Ned Kelly and Gandalf.
Two new beards I made last year: Hans and Lars.
Currently on loan from the collection: Burke & Wills. (File photograph.)
George Michael has sadly been lost, just like the real one. (File photograph.)
I knitted them all from two patterns in this book: Knit your own Moustache by Vicky Eames, probably the knitting book I’ve made the most things from. I’ve tweaked the patterns quite a bit; the mouths were way too big and then I got creative with the beard sizes.
I last wore one myself at the Clare Christmas pageant several years ago, as a shepherd with the nativity float, where I got mistaken for a young lad (is that good or bad?). It was a really hot day and I remember sweating like anything in my costume.
Knitted beards: a great addition to any dress-ups box.
Absolutely fabulous. I now want to knit beards!
You must, Sue, you must!
Liz, did you come up with the names? They’re spot on!
They sort of named themselves.