The Gift of a Promise

Like marriage and motherhood, knitting a pair of socks is an enormous commitment. You feel the short-lived satisfaction of completing one perfect sock, followed by the reality of having to start all over again - except in the case of a Christmas stocking.

For Valentines Day I gave my Valentines one sock each and the gift of a promise. A promise of a second sock for Easter.

I used the Briggs & Little Heavy Sock Pattern for Nate's, and the pattern I made up for Angus's was so haphazard that it isn't worth sharing.

Happy Valentines Day!

Felted Twig Cuff

I needed a break from the seed stitch Wedding Washcloth from Purl Bee that I am knitting for my friend Liza. Knitting washcloths might seem mindless and quick, but make no mistake - these are no ordinary washclothes.

The little "twigs" on the cuff are a result from knitting a full round with both yarns. I figured this out by way of a happy accident. If you want a crisper edge (though not much crisper), drop your first colour when you transition to the second colour.

Materials:

• To felt you require a yarn that is preferably 100% wool, but I believe anything over 70% will felt to some degree. I used Martha Stewart Crafts 100% Merino in bluish gray, and Blue Sky Alpaca's Suri Merino in Snow.
• US Size 10.5 double pointed needles (5)
• Mild soap
• Hot water

Pattern

1. Cast on 28 stitches (small), 32 (medium), 34(large) - These sizes are only approximate - as you are felting, keep checking the size. You can shrink it by felting longer, or stretch it when wet to make it bigger. Once dry, minor size adjustments can be made by re-wetting
2. Divide the stitches evenly over 4 needles.
3. Rounds 1-5: k
4. Round 6: k, continue to carry your first colour while adding the second colour.
5. Rounds 7-11: k with second colour only. 
6. Cast off - use a needle one size larger, or be a bit loose with the cast off so there is a bit of give for fitting your hand through.
7. Because you will be felting it, you don't need to bother with knitting in the ends! 
8. Fill a basin with the hottest water you can handle to touch and add mild soap. 
9. Keeping the band submerged for as much of the time as possible, vigorously rub it against itself. I rub my hands together like I am trying to warm them up. Note the amount of shirking to make sure  you don't felt it down too small. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
10. Squeeze out excess water and reshape.
11. You can cut down on drying time by wrapping it in a towel and stepping on it.

Enjoy as is, or jazz it up with some needle felting!

Felted "Sweat" Band

I don't know if anyone would want to sweat all over this felted "sweat" band made from suri alpaca and merino wool, but they'll look good doing it if they try! 

Materials

• To felt you require a yarn that is preferably 100% wool, but I believe anything over 70% will felt to some degree. I used Martha Stewart Crafts 100% Merino in bluish gray, and Blue Sky Alpaca's Suri Merino in Snow.
• US Size 10.5 double pointed needles (5)
• Mild soap
• Hot water

Pattern

1. Cast on 28 stitches (small), 32 (medium), 34(large) - These sizes are only approximate - as you are felting, keep checking the size. You can shrink it by felting longer, or stretch it when wet to make it bigger. Once dry, minor size adjustments can be made by re-wetting. 
2. Divide the stitches evenly over 4 needles.
3. Rounds 1-3: k
4. Rounds 4-6: k dropping first colour and starting second colour.
5. Rounds 7-9: k dropping second colour and picking up first colour again. 
6. Cast off - use a needle one size larger, or be a bit loose with the cast off so there is a bit of give for fitting your hand through.
7. Because you will be felting it, you don't need to bother with knitting in the ends! 
8. Fill a basin with the hottest water you can handle to touch and add mild soap. 
9. Keeping the band submerged for as much of the time as possible, vigorously rub it against itself. I rub my hands together like I am trying to warm them up. Note the amount of shirking to make sure  you don't felt it down too small. This takes about 5-10 minutes.
10. Squeeze out excess water and reshape.
11. You can cut down on drying time by wrapping it in a towel and stepping on it.

Enjoy as is, or jazz it up with some needle felting!