Balmoral Bonnet #2 - Finally Finished

**SemperFyffe** · 19th August 13, 09:04 AM

One thing I have noticed in regards to the finished size. The tension used while knitting (how tight the stitches are on the needles) greatly effects how it felts. I have knit one in a large size that I was a little over zealous in my tension and when felted it turned out to be child sized. My son on the other hand tends to knit very loose and this bonnets tops always end up looking a little too floppy. A little off topic, but I have some great resources on knitting socks that I am trying to gather for you and I will shoot you a pm once I make my way through the pile of patterns I have collected. I definately recommend the toe-up method. I have knit a pair with one sock top down the the other toe up and much prefer how much easier it was to fit the toe up sock properly. The top down sock is baggy and bulgy in spots.

**kiltedrennie** · 19th August 13, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by SemperFyffe

One thing I have noticed in regards to the finished size. The tension used while knitting (how tight the stitches are on the needles) greatly effects how it felts. I have knit one in a large size that I was a little over zealous in my tension and when felted it turned out to be child sized. My son on the other hand tends to knit very loose and this bonnets tops always end up looking a little too floppy. A little off topic, but I have some great resources on knitting socks that I am trying to gather for you and I will shoot you a pm once I make my way through the pile of patterns I have collected. I definately recommend the toe-up method. I have knit a pair with one sock top down the the other toe up and much prefer how much easier it was to fit the toe up sock properly. The top down sock is baggy and bulgy in spots.

Thanks for the tip. Bonnet #3 is in progress with Cascade 220 so I'll be able to compare it with #2. I gave up on the black bonnet after felting - what a mess. I frogged another because the Berroco yarn wasn't twisted tightly enough. Kept sticking my needle through the yarn.

I look forward to your PM! I've been all over looking for a pattern to use that isn't going to turn me off socks.

Thanks