The tale of a rescued Fair Isle knit

 

I knit this much of a scarf, in the round, three years ago. The gauge I worked with was not the one specified for the pattern, hence my tubular scarf was knitting up much wider and bulkier than designed. I really loved my color choices, but knew I would end up not wearing it because it was so heavy. So I stopped knitting it.

Too pretty to frog (frogging stranded isn't my cup of tea either) or toss, I ended up stitching up the seam with the sewing machine and cutting it open into one large rectangle. I thought it might make a nice lap throw, but it wasn't quite large enough for that. So it got put upstairs to wait for another day.

I was re-arranging my room over the weekend and came across it, now containing a moth hole or two. Oh drat! I was this close to throwing it away, but couldn't do it. Then, having been influenced and inspired by watching many videos on spinning, dyeing, and knitting and weaving, I had a eureka moment: felt it! Then I'd be able to cut it up into coasters and table mats for hot dishes. Fab idea! So I tossed it in the washing machine then the drier. Since it wasn't as felted as I wanted, I tossed it in a tub with soapy water and massaged it well, till I got the desired amount of felting.

On the chopping block it went. I cut out ten coasters, 2 smaller table mats, and one large table mat. I'm finishing the edges with tapestry wool in blanket stitch. I've only gotten 6 of the coasters and 1 of the small mats edged so far, and I'm really pleased with them. They have a hand-made, make-do wonkiness that is charming and warm. And they work great.

8" x 6.5"

The large mat which is not yet edged is about 23" x 14":

And the second small mat is about 10.5" x 6.25":

The four unfinished coasters are not the same color as the 6 above:

A sad tale turned around. I couldn't be happier with my decision.