Success, After All

So, I think I do like the unfelted cream part of my first needle holder after all, but I really like my second try. I have a front-lead washer, so felting is a little bit of a challenge, but I'm happy with the finished product. Now, I just need to knit some smaller holders for my double-pointed needles.

I had planned to make my second needle holder a little larger than the first, but I ended up felting the second one more, so they're about the same size. I used wine cozy pattern from Dropped a Stitch basically, with a couple of alterations.


Felted Needle Holder

Base: 

Using size 11 double-pointed needles, cast on 8, join and k 1 round.

Row 2: *k1, m1, repeat from * to end. 16 sts.
Row 3 and all odd numbered rows: k 1 round.
Row 4: *k2, m1, repeat from * to end. 24 sts.
Row 5: *k3, m1, repeat from * to end. 32 sts.
Row 7: *k4, m1, repeat from * to end. 40 sts.
Row 9: *k5, m1, repeat from * to end. 48 sts.
Row 11: *k6, m1, repeat from * to end. 56 sts.
Complete bases by purling 2 rounds.

Sides:
Knit every row in the round until desired length, keeping in mind that work will shrink when felted. When work is the the height you want, purl two rows. Continue knitting tube until it is double the length of what you want you finished product to be. Bind off, and weave in ends. Felt. Fold half of the tube insde of itself, folding at the purls halfway up the tube; and dry.  The sides should be thick enough to stand upright stably.