The Knitting Explosion of 2013

I learned to knit from my mother when I was young. I started a scarf that seemed to have no end and became very voluptuous indeed with all the accidental increases and decreases of a novice. I don't know what happened to that scarf.

I returned to knitting in university as a worthy distraction from studying for exams, particularly around Christmas time. Then I learned to crochet as well.

Somewhere in there I moved, finished school, got a job, then another job and got caught up in a whole bunch of sports and small town life. Then I got a cat, and then another. Knitting seemed out of mind. There were moments of sporadic knitting, even including triumphs such as the completion of a gorgeous Cobblestone Pullover and possibly my favourite toque of all time, my Snofall Design.

Early in 2013 I picked it up again for whatever reason, and I got hooked afresh.

I started with a toque for my sweetie, then another for my roomie.

Then onto headbands.

Then moved on to headbands.

From then on I played around with baby bottoms, slippers, dishcloths, a massive blanket etc.

Then into the fall I did hordes of hats, mittens and delved once again into sweaters.

It's been rewarding and consuming. I've felt productive and sedentary.

I'm hoping 2014 brings many more rewarding knitted projects, but perhaps also more balance with reading, activity, family and friend time.

Here's a peek at some of my work from 2013.

Grandma Laura's Slipper Pattern

This pattern is knitted flat, then sewn up at the heel and over the toe.

Using a worsted weight wool, knit with two strands on size 9 (5.5) needles.

For standard ladies size (6-9) cast on 7 stitches.

Next row, increase after every stitch by, [K1, M1] repeat to end. You will have 14 stitches.

Next row, M1 then, [K1, M1] repeat to end. You will have 29 stitches.

Work yarn in K1, P1 ribbing until work reaches 3 inches in length (or on the desired foot, reaches just past the forefoot, to the start of the main arch.

On the next row which would begin with a K stitch, instead of ribbing work as follows:

Row A: K9, P1, K9, P1, K9

Row B: Knit to end.

 Repeat these two rows until work measures ___ (or reaches the base of the start of the base of the heel).

Narrow heel by working decreases on between two knit folds as follows:

On a [B] row, K11, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K to end.

Next row: K9, P1, K7, P1, K to end.

Next row: K11, K2tog, K1, K2tog, K to end.

Next row: K9, P1, K5, P1, K to end.

Next row: K11, K2tog, K to end.

Next row: K9, P1, K4, P1, K to end.

Next row: K11, K2tog, K to end.

Next row: Cast off.

Fold work in half and stitch up heel, which is the folded sides of the cast off row.

To connect toes box, stitch together the sides of the K1, P1 ribbing.

Weave in loose ends.