Here are the readers comments in full with the pattern below. The pattern is the exact one I used for the slippers above. I used the “Cuff” version.

To all knitters, this is the pattern of the Speedy slippers,the photo would not go up with the pattern but then it is a very old yellowish photo,I hope everyone can enjoy this tried and true old pattern I have had for decades and use all the time.

Patons Speedy Slippers
In Craft Yarn and Canadiana

Materials:

The instructions for these slippers are given in 3 sizes to fit men, ladies and children. Of special interest is the comfortably fitted heel. The designs as shown have been knitted with Beehive Craft Yarn, Canadian Superwash Wool or Canadiana Sayelle. For accurate knitting from these instructions, be sure to use your choice of the specified yarns. Quantities of (50 g) balls and needles required for each of these yarns are given below.

Quantities Required: Men Ladies Childrens
Beehive Craft Yarn 4 balls 4 balls 3 balls
And 4 mm (No 8) needles

Canadiana Superwash Wool 4 balls 3 balls 3 balls
Canadiana Sayelle and
4 ½ mm (No 7) needles

The fringed slippers as shown at top of picture have been designed for Canadiana only and in ladies’ sizes. They require 3 balls of each of the 2 colors.

The instructions are written for men’s size. Any changes necessary for ladies’ (L) and children’s (C) are written in brackets thus:–( )

Note: Craft yarn is used single just as it comes from the ball. Canadiana is used double.

With craft yarn single and 4mm (No 8) needles or Canadiana double and 4 ½ mm (No 7) needles and beginning at back of heel cast on 2 sts.

1st row: Knit
2nd row: Inc 1 st in 1st st. K1

**3rd and 4th rows: Knit
5th row: Inc 1 st in 1st st. Knit to end of row**
Repeat from ** to ** to 8 stitches on the needle, noting that, as there are two rows even between increase rows, the increased sts will alternate from one side to the other of the triangle thus formed.
Continue repeating from ** to ** to 14 stitches on needle (L 12) (C 10)

Next row: Cast on 13 sts (L-11 sts), (C-9 sts) for side of slipper. Knit these side sts. P1, knit to last st. P1. Cast on 13 sts., (L-11 sts) (C- 9 sts) for other side. 40 sts on needle (L-34 sts) (C- 28 sts)

Proceed:-
1st row: Knit
2nd row: Knit 13 (L- K 11) (C-K 9) P1, K 12, (L-K 10) (C-K 8). P1. Knit 13 (L-K 11) (C-K 9). Repeat the 2 rows about 20 times (L-17 times) (C-14 times) more or until work will stretch from back of heel forward on foot to joint of big toe, ending with the 2nd row.

Next row: Knit 2 (P1, K1) 6 times, (L-5 times), (C-4 times), K13 (L-K 11) (C-K 9). (P1, K1) 6 times, (L-5 times), (C-4 times). K1

Next Row: (K1, P1) 7 times, (L-6 times) (C-5 times), K 12, (L-K10), (C-K 8). K 12 (L-K 10), (C-K 8). (P1,K1) 7 times, (L-6 times), (C-5 times)
Repeat these 2 rows 9 times, (L-7 times) (C-5 times).

Next row: *K2 tog. Repeat from * to end of row. Purl 1 row.

Next row: *K 2 tog. Repeat from * to end of row. Break yarn. Thread end through remaining stitches. Draw up and fasten securely. Sew the edges together to make toe of slipper for length of ribbing of desired amount. Sew side edges of back triangle to cast-on sts of sides.

TRIM SUGGESTIONS

Pompom: Wind Craft Yarn single or Canadiana double over 4 fingers about 35 times. Remove fingers. Tie tightly in center. Cut through each side of loops thus formed. Trim to smooth round shape. Sew to slippers as illustrated.

Lace Up Front: With Craft Yarn single or Canadiana double, crochet a chain about 26 to 36 ins (66 to 91 cm) long. Depending on size of slippers. Darn in ends. Lace up front as illustrated.
Ankle ties: With Craft Yarn single or Canadiana double crochet a chain about 20 to 30 ins (51 to 76 cm) long, depending on size of slipper. Darn in ends. Sew center of chain to center back of slipper.

Bow: With Craft Yarn single or Canadiana double, cast on 15 stitches and kint 7 rows garter st. (plain knitting every row). Cast off loosely. Darn in end. Wind yarn twice around center tightly. Sew to slipper as illustrated.

Cuffs: Suitable for Canadiana only With wrong side of wor4k facing, single yarn and working along the side of slipperpick up and knit about 32 sts. (L-28 sts) (C-24 sts) by picking up and knitting sts for every four rows (2 ridges)
Work 9 rows (L-8 rows), (C-7 rows) in (K1, P1) ribbing. Cast off looselyin ribbing. Work ribbed border of other side to correspond. Sew edges together turn cuff over and tack down at front and back.

Fringed Slippers: Cut lengths of each color 8 in (20 cm) long. Take one strand of each color double them and with crochet hook draw a loop through a stitch at ankle edge of slipper. Pass ends through loop and knot firmly. Repeat this knotting through alternate sts and rows and on side toe for 5 rows or until slipper is covered as illustrated.

I live in a small place and I have to keep clutter to a minimum, but I’ve been hanging on to a lot of junk simply because I haven’t known how to environmentally dispose of it. This is how you recycle your computer equipment and keep your peace of mind.

Tips for reducing computer waste

• Donate your old computer to a family member
• Find a local recycling depot
• Check with your local computer stores about their recycling policies

Before you get rid of an old computer:

• Back up your data
• Write down all the specifications of the unit (video card, RAM, HD, Processor)
• Remove any discs and removable cards
• Find any original manuals
• Format your hard drive
• *Remove the hard drive if you truly want peace of mind if you want to sell it

* Many recyclers have secure data services to safely erase all personal information from your hard drive. If you are concerns contact the recycle depot of your choice for more information.

How to recycle or donate your computers:

Recycle with Apple
Will recycle any computer at any time.
Apple will offer free recycling of any computer within 30 days of your purchase of a computer from them –however this is clear for US citizens and no so clear for Canadians. What is clear is that they will accept any computer equipment from Canada or the US through their fee based recycle program that charges $30 USD per box for shipping equipment to their recycle depot.

Recycle with Dell
Any computer within 30 days of purchasing a Dell.
Dell Canada Recycling Program (similar available in the US)
Within 30 days of purchasing any dell system you can recycle your old system for free.

Recycle with Reboot (Canadian)
Reboot will recycle computer equipment in Canada. Drop off your equipment for a $10.00 handling fee or have it picked up for a $50.00 fee. Make sure you know the specs of what you have before you drop off your computer so you can get a tax receipt for the value of your donation. Locations are: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Peterborough and London.

More links:
Computers for schools (Canada)
Electronics Product Stewardship Canada
Toronto Environmental Alliance

Notice the yarn coming out of the center of the ball.

When you are working with a hank (a long ring of yarn that is not sold in a ball) or a skein (more of a figure eight wound portion of yarn) you can easily get into trouble where you find your yarn has become tangled and you have to stop what you’re doing and untangle yourself. I had balled my yarn before -particularly when I have a hank that needs to be balled anyway, but I’d just wound it tightly around and around until I had a pretty ball of yarn to work with.

This did cut out my tangle time for the most part, but my tightly rolled ball of yarn would roll all over the place, unwinding while I worked BUT the reason I tried the “center pull” yarn ball is because I read that winding your ball tightly can cause your yarn to stretch and when you knit it -your yarn will then spring back, causing your knitted garment to pucker or distort! This made complete sense to me. So -the technique for your center pull ball of yarn will take care of stretching your yarn, plus it will keep it from tangling.

There is one more very cool thing it will do for you after it has cleaned your house and done the laundry as well. This cool little ball will stay in one place while you knit like one quiet disciplined puppy. The yarn will pull with ease from the center of the ball while the ball stays still! I love them and will always make a center pull yarn ball from now on.

Here is how you do it in my own words:

*Weave and wind very loosely.

1. Leaving a long tail of yarn
2. hold the tail of yarn in your left hand
3. with right hand, weave yarn over and under fingers on left hand
4. do this for 10 “rows” so your left hand is almost covered from base of fingers to tips with woven yarn -side by side
5. slide the yarn off the fingers of your left hand and fold in half
6. start winding your yarn very loosely into a ball avoiding the yarn tail you have sticking out

Here is a similar technique where you use your thumb as a placeholder for the “tail” of your yarn while you wind. This one has some pictures.

I have finished my warm red sweater! This worked up fast on large needles and I found the pattern fairly easy to follow. The only reason why this wasn’t finished earlier is because I kept putting it down or started other projects. The pattern can be found in this book: Urban Streets and you can see my original post titled: New Knitting Books.

The pattern was written in such a way that you had to constantly refer to a different version of the pattern (long or short length) which made it very easy to follow the wrong instructions at any point in time. I sometimes find that patterns needlessly cut clarity corners which make the difference between working with that pattern again or recommending against it. I am not the most experienced knitter, so this might be fine for someone more experienced. Here are the pieces before they were worked up:

Behold -a puppy made from a sock and a glove. Yup -a sock and a glove. He isn’t finished yet, but he already makes me smile when I look at him.

I came across the book: Sock And Glove by Miyako Kanamori. I thought the photo was so cute and when I bought it I had the ladies at the checkout leafing through every page smiling and cooing along with me.

This was originally in Japanese and I find the Japanese craft books really adorable and well photographed. This one is no exception. The instructions are fairly simple and I think these projects would be great for kids to do with some adult supervision. Being a big kid myself -I just find them really amusing and more importantly -they make me smile.

Can a sock make you smile? I think a sock with a glove certainly can!!