Games Knitters Play

This post could go a couple of directions.   This will not be ways to lie to yourself and others about how much you or they spend,  how big the stash is or anything else. Deception is not something I advocate especially between spouses. 

I am games mistress for retreats in my knitting guild.   I will give you a peek between the skeins at some of the games we have played and might play in the future.  Sometimes the prizes are knit cash to be used for an auction.  Monopoly money could be substituted.  Sometimes the prizes are actual knit related items.  You can also google knitting games and there are a lot more there.

Trivia  ::  before a retreat, I will Google knitting trivia.  I print questions with the answers and a bit of history if available.  I use this as a way to keep the retreat goers on their toes and earn knit cash.  I just blurt out a question with an amount that I think it's worth.  All correct answers will collect that amount.  Obviously easy questions are worth less.

Stories   ::   someone reads a story that has a lot of repetition of a few words or phrases.  All retreat goers sit in a circle.   There is a ball of yarn that gets tossed around according to the predetermined terms.  Ie. If a is said the person tosses it across the circle while holding the part they caught, or a quarter of the way around either left or right. The final goal is to have a web of knitter's.

Magic ball  ::  this is similar to the stories above.   All sit in a circle.   A story is read and at predetermined terms the yarn ball is passed left or right by 1, 2, or 3 people unwinding as it goes.  The magic is that there are small trinkets wound in the ball, fancy stitch markers,  small tape measures,  blunt yarn needles, buttons, charms.  The person who gets the prize is the one is sitting at the slip knot holding the trinket to the ball.

Ugly sweater card game  ::  by changing the rules this can accommodate a large group with only a deck or two.  Dole out the cards.  Play as directed mostly.  The oldest or youngest starts.  Pull a card from person to right or left. Make a pair if you can and display it.  Next person does same.   If you pull and can make a pair that leaves You without cards, you are out.  You can have 2 winners if you use the ugly sweater cards only.  You can have 3 winners if you use the 2 ugly sweater cards and the person with the most pairs.  You can have 4 winners if you use the same as 3 and include the first person to be out of cards.  This can take a while until all the pairs are made.

Knitting relay races  ::  these can be fun.  Timer is needed for these.

1.  Have the people pair up.  More fun if they are not great friends.  Have a set of straights for each pair with a long tail cast on already on the needles.  20 sts seems right.  Each pair has to knit with one person holding a needle.   Use a timer and the pair with the most sts or rows each win.

2.  Each person knits onto the left needle  as opposed to the way you normally knit onto the right.  Again most sts or rows wins.

3.  Line up in teams of 4 or 5.  Each person knits a row and passes to the next person.  Keep going until time is up.  Team with most rows wins.

4.  Using set number of stitches already cast on, each person has to knit behind their backs.  Winner will be the person with the most sts or rows. 

5.  Again with already cast on needles, each players runs in place while knitting.  Winner will be the person with the most sts or rows.

6.  Another relay type of game inspired by Elizabeth Zimmerman.  I am thinking of the picture of EZ knitting on a shawl with someone else that is in one of her books.  Cast on in the round and knit 30 rds using 4-7 balls and 4-7 circular needles.   Have several of these set up to accommodate all players.  Usually this works best with 2 to 4 people per circle.  Divide retreatants into groups and  each person gets an end to 2 separate circs as well as their own ball of yarn.  winning team has the most rounds with fewest dropped stitches.

This last can be set to music and played like a variant of musical chairs.  2 people knit until the music stops, they trade places and continue knitting until the next break in the music.  Winning team has the most rounds with fewest dropped stitches.

Jeopardy  ::  play just like the t.v. show.   Make up the board large enough for all to see.  Have each player use a different ringtone on their cell phone for their buzzer.  Topics are all yarn, fiber and knitting related.  Utilize your knit cash.  All cash won is kept for an auction or other game.

Auction  ::  run just like any auction you have attended.  Utilize your knit cash here.

Knitting bingo  ::  I made up 2 types.  1 knitting bingo game I combined 3 different bingo games from Untangled Knots  blog post found here.  Things you hear knitting in public, Christmas knitting and summer knitting.   I used these 75 terms plus some from the comments and made up cards that mixed these.  Knitting bingo 2 is a swatch bingo.  4x4 swatches that are tagged with not only the name but how to knit them.  Names are mixed on the cards.   I pull the swatches from a small suitcase and it doubles as a trunk show.  Many are not things everyone has seen.  For this I had a head start in that I used my certification swatches and the increase/decrease swatches are 2 calls.

I also have other ideas for using kids games and changing the directions to knitting terms.   Candyland cards, each color is something different like red is k4, orange is p6, yellow is a yo,  and so on.  When I get the game set up, I'll post about it.

Chutes and ladders and again each move is a knitting term.  I wonder what ideas could be done with clue, monopoly,  hearts, slap Jack, war.....

I also saw an interesting Christmas game recently.   Pick up sticks using candy canes held in the mouth.  It brought an idea to mind.  Pick up sticks using straight needles and crochet hooks or cable needles to pick up the straights, maybe not by mouth.  I don't think it's hygienic or tasty.

Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! What can I do with them all??

Again these are ideas for uses for ways to use the swatches.  We've covered many ideas for just a few for each article.  Let's try 5 or 6 swatches for each thing this month.  By summer, we should be up to the many and miscellaneous.  Or you have run out of swatches.

1. Table runner:  Seam 5 or 6 large swatches (10-12 inches square) into one long piece.  Line or not with coordinating fabric as desired.
2. Place mats:  Seam 6 together in a 2 x 3 grid.  Each swatch should be 4 - 6 inches.  Line or not as desired.
3. Cowl:  Seam 5 or 6 together as for a runner, then complete the ring.  The size of each swatch should be 8 inches or so.  Use fibers that feel nice.  Line with fleece or not.  Wear with pride
4. Beanie:  Seam 4 swatches 5" each in a long piece then complete the ring.  Add a 5th 5" swatch at the 5th side (like the ceiling in a 4 walled room).  This should fit an adult.  You can crochet around the bottom edge to give it a finished edge.
5. Scarf:  Seam 5 or 6 together just like for the table runner.  Use fibers that feel nice.  Wear with pride.
6. Hand towel/Dish towel:  Sew 6 6 inch swatches in a 2 x 3 configuration.  Add trim as desired.  Use cotton for the absorbency.
7. Baby block toy:  Seam 6 into a block and stuff before the last seam is sewn.  I like to add a jingle bell (with the X squeezed tighter to prevent the ball clapper from being potentially swallowed) in the center of the stuffing.  Use pattern stitches that are not lace like or otherwise open.
8. Diaper cover:  This is more cute than functional for keeping the baby's surroundings dry.  Seam 5 in the shape of a T.  For this two pieces of 1 x 1 inch Velcro will be helpful by being sewn on the ends of the arms of the T.  The other side of the Velcro gets sewn to the edges of the foot of the T.  

Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! What can I do with them all??

Last month we discussed what to do with just a few swatches.  This month let's talk more about this.
Four is a great number of swatches and can be so very versatile.  What ideas can you come up with?  Here are things I came up with or have seen online over the years.

1. Book mark:  Like last month use thread.  Seam 3 as before.  Crochet with a tiny hook around the edges, starting in the center of one of the short sides.  When you meet back up with the edging, chain for 6 - 9 inches and go around the last square.  Now you have a dangle.  Keep the dangle for a fancy swatch!
2. Dishcloth:  Using cotton, create 4 swatches or granny squares.  Coordinate the patterns or colors.  Seam them in the shape of a square and edge or not as desired.  
3. Pillow cover:  Do you have a square sofa cushion that is worn on one side?  Create a dishcloth using yarns that work with your décor and in a size that will fit your pillow.
4. Hot water bottle cover:  Use your favorite yarns.  Make 4 squares that are about 8 inches.  Seam into a square, then fold in half.  Seam one short end and the long side.  Add a tie woven through the other short end.  Slide the hot water bottle in, fill and cinch closed.
5. Eyeglass case:  Use non scratchy yarns.  Seam together to create a two layer thick tube.  Seam one short side.  Add a clasp to the other end if desired.
6. Doll blanket:  Depending on the size of the doll, seam the swatches together in a square shape.  The swatches should be a little more than the width of the doll.  This way the doll can stay warm.
7. Hot mat:  Need a larger mat to protect the table?  Platters for the holiday turkey, goose or ham require a larger hot mat/trivet than is generally available.  For this you will need to use cotton or wool yarn and several layers of felt.  Make your swatches 6 - 10 inches square.  Seam 2 together for each side.  Layer together with the felt in the center.  Seam or crochet around the outer edge.  Don't use acrylic yarn as it can melt depending on how hot your platter, pan, or baking dish is.

Swatch! Swatch! Swatch! What to do with them all

I have swatches.  No big surprise there.  Most of mine go into a binder to be used for teaching purposes.  Again, not a big surprise to anyone, I hope.  However, I do remember back 20 years or more when I got my first knitting machine.  It was a Singer LK-150.  I liked that machine.  I took lessons to learn how to use it.  Most of the issues I had were not addressed in the training video.  I didn't oil it nearly enough.  Now back to the reason for this little side story.  I had swatches of all kinds of things I learned.  At first I kept them in the box.  Then I decided that I \would keep them for learning when I did those techniques.  Fast forward a few years, I didn't need the swatches.  The lessons had stuck.  I had all these swatches that were 7"x9" give or take.  I made an afghan.

But it got me thinking about granny squares and swatches.  What can we do with them all?  What ideas can you come up with??  I found quite a few ideas online over the years and come up with a bunch on my own too.  So let's start with 1, 2 or 3 squares. 

1 block.

1. Pincushion:  Stuff and sew into a rectangle or triangle.  Use wool with the lanolin still in to prevent rusting.
2. Coaster:  Use cotton.  No stuffing.  No sewing.
3. Sachet:  Fold and stuff just like the pincushion.  Saturate the stuffing with essential oils to either smell nice or keep moths at bay.  You can also stuff with dried flowers of the scent you want.  
4. Sleep pillow:  This uses a large swatch, usually 8x8 in a soft yarn.  Fold it in a triangle and stuff with cotton.  Add some essential oil.  A drop or two of lavender promotes sleep.  Too much and you end up with the jitters.  Add to your bed at bedtime keeping it near your head.  
5. Eye glasses case:  This also uses a large swatch, 6 - 7 inches. Fold in half, seam on 1 short and the long side.  Again use soft yarn that won't scratch the lenses.

2 Blocks

1. Potholder/Hot pad:  2 squares in wool or cotton.  No holes in the pattern.  Add some layers of felt the same size  (wool is nice for this since it doesn't burn or melt).  Crochet or sew around all the edges.  Add a hanging loop or not.  
2. Tote bag:  2 very large squares.  12 inches is a good size.  Seam on 3 sides or crochet.  Add a strap of whatever sort.  A braid can be used and can be custom fit to you.  You can also use a strap from a worn out purse.  Line it if you don't want to lose things.
3. Halloween treat bag:  Choose 2 Halloween charts, using either a fair isle or knit/purl pattern, that are the same size and work up at about 8 - 10 inches square.  Seam on 3 sides.  Add handles to the open end.  Trick or treat at will.
4. Vest:  This can be deceptively easy.  Choose the recipient.  I suggest a doll for starters.  Use a ribbon and across the top, tie together the front and back 1/4 of the way in from each edge continuing out to the corner.  Neck hole made.  To make the armholes, work down those sides to the bottom edge.  This can work until the child is about 4 years old or so.  They are usually not curvy.
5. Soap Sack:  Use cotton for this.  Hold wrong sides together.  Seam on 3 sides.  Weave a tie around the open side.  Insert soap slivers and scrub the dirt away.
6. Fingerless mitts:  Measure around the hand at the knuckles of the recipient.  The swatches used should be a square that meets this measurement and coordinate in pattern and color.  1 swatch.  Fold in half.  Seam from one end up 1 - 2 inches.  This is the part that is above the thumb.  Leave the next inch or two open for the thumb.  If the hand is very small, leave less.  Seam from that point to the other open end.  Repeat.

3 blocks

1. Bookmark:  Perfect for the reader in the family or your circle of friends.  Use crochet thread to make these not too thick so as to not break the spine of the book.  Seam together into a long rectangle.  Gift with a favorite book.
2. Hot mat or small place mat:  Use heavy wool yarn or cotton yarn for this in a larger size.  Seam 2 together, then add the 3rd centered over the seam to form a triangle.  Cheery colors look great in a kitchen.  Adding glass beads can bring an extra touch to these.

A year in stitches week 3

Knit week 3

This is a study of the most basic lace stitch pattern. Faggotting. It biases terribly to the right until blocked.  Do you see a difference when the yarn over is after the decrease?  Do you see a difference when row 2 is purled,  knitted, or is a repeat of row 1?  The photo shown is with r2 purled as written.

This is a multiple of 2.

Cast on 20 stitches.

R1: k1, * yo, k2tog. Rep from * to the end of the row.  End k1.
R2: p.

Do you want this to bias left instead?  Try yo, ssk. This variation is called the Turkish stitch.

Crochet week 3

Let's do another basic.  Plain mesh. Many types of stitches are based, in part, on mesh.

Ch 20.

R1:  dc in 8th ch from hook,  * ch 2, sk 2, dc in next st.   Rep from the * to the end.

R2: ch5,  * dc in dc,  ch 2. Rep from the * to the end. End dc in 3rd ch.

Rep r 2 to the desired size.

Another option is to make the mesh larger or smaller.  

For a smaller mesh, use hdcand ch 1 space.

For a larger mesh,  use tr and ch 3 space.

A Year in Stitches week 1

This year is starting off slowly for blog posts. There's a problem with publishing new posts but not pre-scheduled.  And now here's week 1.  I did have this up but can't find it anywhere now.

Knit week 1

This is a quickie.   It's a 1 row stitch pattern in a multiple of 4.

R1: * k2, yo, k2tog-b.  Rep to the end. 

Crochet week 1

Granny in rows

This is another easy and quick stitch pattern.   It can be done with 1 color, 2 colors, or many colors and possibly use up leftovers. It's a multiple of 4.

Ch 24

R1: 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, * ch 1, sk  3 ch, 3 dc in next st. Rep from the * to the end.

R2:  ch 4, * 3 dc in ch 1 st, ch 1.  Rep from * to the end. End with dc on top of ch 3.

R3:  ch 3, 2 dc in ch 1 space,  * ch 1, 3dc in ch 1 space.  Rep from the * to the end.

Rep r2 and r3 until the desired size is reached.

A year of stitches 2018 and other updates

Yes! I'm doing it again.  It's been a lot of fun in 2017.  We will be exploring laces, cables, colorwork,  texture.  More importantly,  we explore ideas for using the swatches we make.

My goal for this year's year in stitches series is one a week.  One post a week will be a stitch either written or charted for knit and crochet. One post each month will be ideas for using the swatches we make.   I'm unsure at this point if these will be ideas or actual patterns.

I will also give updates on my progress with level 1 of master crochet program.  As of Halloween 2017, I had the written answers done and about a dozen of the swatches.   It's been decided,  I have to redo some of my written work.   I have to check swatches and finish those needing to be done.

Swatches

What to do with all those swatches?  We all know as a good knitter or crocheter you have been making swatches.  A proper sized swatch is about 5 to 8 inches square.  Some of us have also started sweaters or other large projects that for whatever reason have been abandoned.  I know I have a few.  If you don't want to frog your project and deal with the ramen noodle* yarn, you will probably have left it sit there unloved.

Does this seem to also relate to granny squares?  It should.  Squares are amazing for so many things.  Granny squares are not just the ones that were ever so popular for centuries.  Google granny squares and you can come up with hundreds of different patterns.  There are books upon books of granny squares, old and new.

If your projects are usually the same color family, you will have an easier time.  But even if they aren't, you can still put together a unique and completely charming project.  It is best if the swatches are the same size, but even that can be gotten around by adding a frame or border around the edge.  By using one color for the border you can make them all not only the same size, but you can make them all cohesive, like adding the black border to the old granny afghan squares.

Joining the swatches/squares can be just as fun.  There are the old standards of slip stitching them together, single crocheting them together, or sewing them together with your choice of method.  Whipstitch was my husband's grandmother's favorite.  I like that one and the mattress stitch.  Please don't use a sewing machine.  The yarn gets caught in the feed dogs and jams.  The thread can cut the yarn over time.  The yarn gets caught on the presser foot.  It doesn't look nice because you usually can't get the tension loose enough.

Ok.  Swatches and Granny Squares.  Check.  All the same size.  Check.  Joining method picked.  Check.  Now what can I make????  The list is almost endless.  An early post here is about a cardigan for a baby.  Afghans come to mind but that is a no brainer.  Don't need that many afghans?  If this is what you love to make anyway, here are some ideas.  Donate them to your local Warm Up America project, hospital for cancer patients to use during chemotherapy treatments, hospital or maternity home for underprivileged babies, animal shelter for them to have a comfy corner in what amounts to a concrete jail until they can be adopted.  Seam small ones together in a variety of ways to make eyeglass case, soap saver, scrubbies for dishes, wash cloths, hats, cushions, pillows, tote bags or purses.  

What are your ideas??  Post below.

*ramen noodle yarn is the crinkly curly yarn isn't straight after ripping out.  This is worse the longer the project sits in the knit or crochet state.  Winding into a long hank, tying in at least 6 places, and washing by hand (soak for at least an hour in water with a rinseless wool wash) then hanging to dry can fix some of this.

What else I'm working on and for whom

Right now I have many things on my plate knit-wise and crochet-wise.  Some of it is for me, some is for others who are current friends or family, some for potential future friends or family through a charity of one kind or another.  I never say no to a new friend.

1.  I'm knitting a sweater that must get done for my certification level 2 from Craft Yarn Council of America.  (I have to do all of the crochet level 2 yet).  I'm using Paton's Super Wool that I got from a de-stash after a home yarn shop closed due to the death of the owner.  The color is a beige/khaki that I can wear in winter for teaching.

2. I started a ballerina style sweater for my new daughter in law for Christmas last year.  It hasn't been touched since I started it.  This is also being done in Paton's Super Wool in a magenta color.

3. I have worsted weight olive drab wool socks started for my son to replace his worn out ones.  He's in the Marines and these meet warmth requirements for wearing under his worn out socks.  He has size 11 feet.  The leg must be 12 inches or better.  I started these twice, the first time 2 at a time on 2 circulars, this time I'm doing them one at a time on either dpns or 2 circulars.  I don't have the brain space to keep track of 2 at a time right now.  I'm using Paton's Classic Wool for these.

4. I am working on a c2c baby afghan.  C2C is corner to corner.  This is a new fad on some of the fb boards featuring crochet.  I may have seen it on Ravelry also.  I've seen this before but loved the reminder.  I'm doing this instead of the "thermal baby blanket" I found in a 1960's era pattern book.  The recipient was the matron of honor in my son's wedding.  The thermal baby blanket that I had started was chains and single crochets in an elongated single crochet filet.  This is beautiful but very slow growing.  I'm using 4 skeins of Deborah Norville Serenity Sock Yarn in two colorways, Indigo and Pink Sugar.  I don't know if the baby is a boy or girl, hence the pink and blue combo.  

5.  There is a 3/4 Pi Shawl in the works.  I'm using Paton's Lace for this in bonfire.  I'll be posting how I did this in a future post.  This is a variant of Elizabeth Zimmermann's Pi Shawl from the book Knitting Workshop.

6.  There is a lace mystery shawl in Paton's Lace (colorway Porcelain).  I'm designing this triangular shawl but it's slow going due to having trouble with picking lace patterns.  This will be put up in the future too.

7 & 8.  8 inch swatches for the stitch pattern of the month being given out at the end of the month during a yarn night.  August's patterns are Feather and Fan (K) and Box Stitch (C).  For these, I'm using Lion Brand Fisherman wool.  I have one skein of each color  See the beautiful natural shades here.  When I reach August 2014, I should have enough blocks for an afghan.

9.  I'm also swatching a baby sweater.  I had been wanting to use it for my level 2 certification project but it didn't meet requirements.  I have the back and at least 1 front done.  I don't remember if I have a sleeve done or just thought our.  Pattern will again be coming.  For the swatch I'm using Red Heart Super Saver in Aran colorway.

10.  New projects to showcase new yarns.  I'm using free patterns from the yarn companies.  I'm doing a hat in Paton's Metallic, a partial scarf in Paton's Colorwul , a 1/2 size baby vest in Bernat Tizzy, a cowl for Paton's Cobbles yarn, a tiny heart pillow in Loops & Threads Fashion Fur, a cowl in L&T Fabulous Fur, and finally a project using LionBrand's bon bons yarn.  Pictures will be coming.  

11.  In hibernation, I have a yellow cotton summer top/vest from a pattern from Lion Brand.  The free pattern is here.  It's a broomstick lace in the round.  I started this 2 years ago on my 25th wedding anniversary trip.  I have the shoulder straps done and all joined in the round by at least 1 round.  The yarn was from a salvaged thrifted sweater.  I got it for the color.  It's a bright, bright yellow.  I like bright colors for summer.

12.  Always on the go for bedtime, cotton dishcloths done from Sugar & Cream or Peaches & Creme.  I don't have to think for this and can knit in my twilight zone.  I use size 6 - 8 US needles for this in circular.  Circs minimize me pulling the stitches off the needles when I fall asleep.  The points don't hurt when I lay on them.  The ball of yarn is not so comfortable.  I pick up balls of both brands when I see new colors.  I have a bunch of balls waiting to be made up but when I do these as just bedtime knitting, I don't get them done terribly fast.  

13.  I also started the Lion Brand Tranquility Knit along from this past spring.  I didn't finish it.  I barely started it.  I really like this pattern.  I like the yarn I am using (cotton worsted weight yarn in the breast cancer awareness pink ombre).  Again this could be a summer top or a vest for cooler weather.

Warm Up AMerica Joining Party

Today I held the first of the season Joining Party for the Warm Up America project.  I'm lucky to have enough blocks in assorted sizes to make 4 adult sized afghans and 1 child sized.  There are some pretty far out colors in some of the afghans (and some awkward sizes) but one of my former students came in and helped with the layout of some of the more challenging afghans.  Others were simple and all we had to do was count and make sure there were the requisite number to make the needed sizes.  

I have bagged and tagged the afghans so that all we have to do later is pull out a bag (complete with joining yarn and instructions) and get to work.  BL and I had a good time catching up while we joined after getting the challenges dealt with.  They will look great if I do say so myself.

I will post pictures of finished afghans and, if I'm lucky and remember, of the ladies and gentlemen who may be helping with the joining.  Our afghans at the Lebanon store will be going to Lebanon HOPES, our new homeless shelter.  Click here for the local newspaper article giving more details about it.  This was started last October (2012) and is a joint effort of the Jubilee Ministries and Lebanon County Christian Ministries along with several churches.

Thanks to all the people who donated blocks.  No matter the sizes, all can be used.  We may have to add to some or take away from others but every piece is welcome.  I'm willing to accept all the failed swatches that have no loving home as well as the practice pieces we all create then don't know what to do with.

Christmas in July days 30 and 31

For these last 2 days, I have thoughts of electronics.  Most people have portable devices of one kind or another.  To wind down on a simple note, offer a little fun, and a chance to try out something new, I have this idea.

Get some wool yarn.  Yes I know we are heading into the dog days of summer.  Save this for later if you like or find an air conditioned place to sit.  Grab a hook or pair of needles that will match your yarn to give you a little larger gauge.  For this I mean that if your ball band recommends a size H hook or size 7 needles to get the suggested gauge, go up 2 sizes.  If you already have to change your hooks or needles, go up 2 sizes from that.  Now grab a copy of a stitch dictionary and pick a bunch of stitch patterns you want to try.

My idea is this.  felted sleeves for portable electronics.  Measure your intended appliance, add 30% more stitches  (3 more stitches for every 10 needed to get the desired measurement).  Then knit or crochet the stitch pattern you chose.  Seam it.  Wash it to felt it either a little or a lot, but only until it matches your needed size.  Let air dry.

Let us use this example:  I have a portable device measuring 2 inches wide by 4 inches tall and is less than 1/2 inch thick.  My yarn suggests a size H hook or 7 needle to get 16 stitches to 4 inches.and 19 rows to 4 inches.  I know that means that I will need to chain or cast on for 11 stitches.  My math is this:  16 stitches divide by 2 is 8 plus 3 for the 30% (I rounded up).  19 rows is 4 inches but I know that felting also pulls vertically more than horizontally so I will add up to 40% more rows to counter this.  So 19 x 40% is 7.6 rows more, round it up to 8 rows.

I know that my pattern has to have space for 11 stitches wide and 27 rows for one side.  Small patterns for small devices allow for more repeats.  Cables require even more stitches for width.  I would add another 20% (2 for every 10 of original number.  Then add the felting 30% ).  So if I choose cables, I would start with 8 stitches plus 2 for cable plus 3 for felting to give me 13 stitches.

I could even choose 2 different patterns for front and back.  I would not choose laces for felting though.  The felting is there to offer some protection from the daily bumps and drops some things get.  The felting will also offer scratch protection.

If you've never intentionally felted anything, have no fear.  It's easy.  Once the Pieces are done and sewn together (I find it easier to sew before felting,).  A bucket of hot water with some soap and a long handled wood spoon are all you need to get started.  The hot water is one felting agent.  The soap provides lubrication for the fibers to slide together.  The spoon provides the agitation, another felting agent.  Do this outside under a shady tree if possible.  It will get you wet.  The idea is to viciously stir the bucket with the soapy water and one or two small objects for felting.  You will need to remove them from time to time to see if the felting is done far enough but not too far that you can't get your final object in.

Once felting is achieved, let air dry.  You can then add a zipper to the open edge or ties or a clasp of some kind.  Have fun and thanks for this journey through July with me.