Knits for Allie

Allie's knitting basket.  I found a pattern for a laundry basket and knit it smaller, made yarn balls from extra yarn and stuck sewing needles in for knitting needles.

Here is the first Mini-Stocking I knit.  It turned out too long-I should have knit just five stripes-but it is okay for the dolls and I enjoyed knitting it.  Socks aren't so intimidating anymore, so on to my next one.  And it is so nice to knit just one-no need to knit a pair of these-each ONE can be different.

And here it is!  I spent quite a bit of time knitting this mini stocking for a doll to hang.  I had a better idea of the size I wanted and I knew I wanted to try stranding and a different heel technique. I knew this little project wouldn't take so long to finish and the dolls would have another stocking to hang.

First I tried the stranded knitting in the round and had to rip that as it got too tight-it always gets too tight even though I feel like I am knitting very loosely.

So, after doing nothing for about a day, I decided to try it flat then join for the heel and sock finish.  That worked very well and purling two strands was not so bad.  I did feel like a klutz part of the time but I had charted the design and colored it so it was not to hard to follow; it was just a matter of managing the yarns.  Not satisfied yet with this test of techniques, I tried a short row heel.  I accomplished it but was not totally satisfied with the way the stitches looked.  I will have to try again.  I am so happy I did this little project as it didn't take that long and I learned so much.   Allie gave this stocking to Kit to hang.

Here is Allie in her new sweater and hat both of which need design improvement and, hopefully, my next experience knitting with Fun Fur will have a more favorable outcome.

 See, she is holding her red and white stocking-all she needs is a mantle.