You may have heard about Movember, but what about Decembeard? In their words ‘Its time to don those chin whiskers and help beat bowel cancer, Decembeard is the hair-raising way to draw attention to the UK’s second biggest cancer killer and help raise much needed funds’.

But, if like me you cannot grow a beard, why not knit one instead! the full pattern is below or available as a pdf via ravelry, its completely free so go on knit a beard, its super easy, very quick and will fit almost any face!

How about getting sponsored to wear your knitted beard, or knit lots and get everyone to make a donation? To find out more about Decembeard click here to go to their website, or follow them on twitter @decembeard

SIMPLE BEARD

Materials:

30-50yds /27-45m DK weight yarn
3.75mm / US5 needles
1 stitch holder or waste yarn

Abbreviations:

K        Knit
Sts     Stitches
CO     Cast on stitches
BO     Bind off stitches
K2tog  Knit 2 stitches together
KFB     Knit into the front and then the back of the stitch (2sts from 1)

Instructions:

CO 5 sts
Row 1: K
Row 2: K to last 2 sts, KFB, K1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 19sts, ending on row 2.

K 3 rows.

Split for mouth opening:

K3 sts and place them on a stitch holder or waste yarn, BO 1st, K to end of row.

Working just on the 15sts, K 19 rows
Break yarn, leave the sts on the needle.

Place the 3 held sts on to the needle that does not have any knitting on it, rejoin the yarn next to the bound off stitch.

K 19 rows.

Next row: K3, CO 1st, then knit across the 15sts that were left on the other needle. (19sts)

K 3 rows.

Decreases:

Row 1: K to last 3sts, K2tog, K1
Row 2: K
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 5sts ending on row 2.

BO all sts.

To be able to wear your beard you have two options:

Ear Loops

Either crochet a short chain or sew on small loops of elastic on either side or the beard, just big enough to fit around the ears.

Head Strap

Sew a piece of elastic from one side of the beard to the other, the beard is very stretchy so you won’t need as long a piece of elastic as you think.

If you are making the beard for a child you may want to consider a third option which is to sew a seperate piece of elastic on to either side of the beard and sew (or glue) velcro on to the ends, so that it velcos together at the back of the head. This is a safer option for a child who does not want ear loops.

Once finished wear your beard with pride!