After finishing the pom-pom hat for my little babe, which used the knit stitch for the entire hat, I wanted to test myself and try something new. My new knitting bookazine has great tutorials for all apsects of knitting, including ribbing and cables. I decided to start with a Raised Moss Rib stitch that sounded pretty simple. It is just two rows of different patterns that you repeat for as long as you like. I had some fun multi-colored yarn that was just meant for a little babe. Even though she has high wool ankle slippers, she still has some exposed skin down there sometimes. So I decided to knit her some ankle warmers. I'm not totally sure what the yarn is, I think it is cotton, definitely not wool. It is pretty stretchy.
The pattern requires multiples of 4 stitches. I was using No. 7, 4.5mm double pointed needles and did not think I needed to use 4 of them since her ankles are so small. I had to figure out how many stitches total and then how many to put on each needle. Math was my worst subject in school and I cannot believe that I am using it in real life for something fun! Since I used 36 stitches for the mason jar cozies and they looked about the right diameter, I went with that. So I cast on 36 stitches and then moved 12 onto each needle. For reference, my little babes ankles are about 7 1/2" around.
This is the pattern:
Row 1 *K3, P1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 2 *K2, P1, K1, repeat from * to end of row.
Repeat these 2 rows to desired length.
For the first ankle warmer, I had to look at the instructions for every row and totally focus! I have never knitted something that requires me to do something different each row, so there was no talking going on, except to myself repeating the pattern over and over. I just kept knitting until I thought it looked tall enough. Then I cast off and tucked in the ends with an embroidery needle. It went perfectly - no mistakes! Here is the first one.
The first one took me 3 three days because I had to focus so much and I did not have a long stretch of uninterrupted time. But I cranked the second one out in one naptime - go me! Look how fast it went.
Down to two needles!
Casted off and finishing with the embroidery needle.
And just look at these little warm ankles, not to mention the cutest bum in town!
She had happy feet!
So there they are, my super simple ankle warmers. I am proud that I took the time to challenge myself with a new skill AND that they actually fit!
