Felted Knit Journal Cover

Cover your personal diary or daily notebook with this free knitting pattern from Bernat Yarns for a felted journal cover. Felting after knitting helps hide imperfections and is therefore very helpful to beginner knitters. Follow the instructions in this project to create the soft cover in warm, blended colors.

Materials:

• Yarn: 3 balls of Bernat Felting Wool (75 g / 2.6 oz) #94606 (Happy Bouquet).
• Knitting Needles: Size 6.5 mm (U.S. 10½) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge. Elastic 1 inch 2.5 cm wide.

Gauge:

13 sts and 17 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st.

Measurements:

To fit journal 8 x 10" 20.5 x 25.5 cm.

Things to Know Before Felting:

Record all the measurements and changes before and after felting. You will be able to adjust the method to produce proper results.
Always test a sample. Different colored yarns may felt differently.
Colorfastness can be affected by very hot water.
Any knit fabric that has been properly felted becomes very dense and matted.

How to Felt:

Using low water level, run a Hot/Cold cycle for 5 to 15 min. Add a pair of old jeans for agitation.
Add 2 tablespoons of baking soda for a small load. After one cycle, check for size. Repeat if necessary.
Run through the rinse and dry spin cycle.
Do not use a clothes dryer.
Lay felted piece onto a dry towel, away from direct heat or sunlight.
Shape piece to correct measurements.
If an edge ripples, baste a thread through the edge and gather in. Remove the thread after the felting is dry.

 
Pattern:

Cast on 67 sts.
Proceed in stocking st (knit on RS and purl on WS) for 16 ins 40.5 cm, ending with a purl row. Cast off.

Finishing:
Felt piece following "How to Felt" instructions.

Shape piece to measurements and let dry. Trim piece to measure 17 ins 43 cm wide x 10½ ins 26.5 cm long.

Cut 2 pieces of elastic 9 3/4"[25 cm] long. Pin elastic to WS of Cover 1 1/2" [4 cm] in from each side edge. Sew ends of elastic to Cover. Slip cover of Journal through elastic.