The Slipper project

Produced two different slippers this past month.  The first is a pattern I queued a year ago and seeing another type (the clog), I decided to give it a go.  Starting the clog (#2 below) I realized that I had to count, which I try to avoid when possible. That one went to the shelf, and I completed #1 to my delight, without having to think.
Here's #1.  The strip of blocks on the left is sewn into the slipper shape.  It's a miracle, I tell you!
When I looked at the diagram, I couldn't see it.  After I sewed the first few seams, I couldn't see it.  And when I had one seam left, I still was a non-believer.  Faith, my child!

Definitely a project that is worthy of knitting on Knit Nite (i.e. no thought/mindless knitting)

The Pattern

Then it was on to #2.  It went faster once I had a little experience. The finishing:

One sewn and felted.

Suede soles sewn in place.

Ready for packing!  And off in the mail.
Comments

#1:  I love the simplicity of the knitting.  I like the "cute" design.  The above pair are alternating colors in the "blocks" however, in progress I have one long strip of a single color, with the possibility of having a contrasting top.  After poring over the construction, I've come to understand where the top flaps are in the diagram (i.e. the unsewn edges).  Definitely suede soles are the answer.  I purchased mine through Knitpicks.  They come with pre-punched holes and matching nylon/wool blend yarn.  Only in gray, but they will be in contact with the floor.  Worked in single strand wool.

#2:  I like the shape.  If they turn out the "right" size they are very comfortable, otherwise, too big and they will "slip" off.  The pattern takes some counting for the decreases, and I will be more careful about the seam around the soles. (I didn't use a loose enough stitch.) Knowing this, my second pair will probably be more pleasing to my discerning eye.  Bigger needles than #1 means they are bigger before felting, however, probably the same number of stitches.  The sole is doubled, so suede soles are not absolutely necessary, but probably recommended.  Worked in doubled wool yarn. (Same yarn as #1.)

Has anyone out there worn these types of slippers?  What about static?  I worn #1 to the next room and back, before the suede soles were put on, and found I can use them for a cleaning product!  Like those dusting gloves, but for the floor... (I vacuumed them before finishing and sending off.)

More information (pattern and wool links) from a previous post HERE.

De Feet

I've been a crazy person trying to get some slippers knitted and felted in time to send across the Atlantic.

Crazy 1:  In the past, we have found that if you send off a package before T-day (this year November 25), it arrives in 10-14 days.  If you send it within a week after T-day, count on 2-3 weeks.  Later and it probably won't arrive by December 23rd which is the last delivery of mail in "kjære lille Norge".
Crazy 2:  I've never made slippers before this.
Crazy 3:  Knitter friend, K, has been cranking them out for her grandchildren for the past 2 months.  This somehow makes me crazy!!

Crazy 4:  I've only felted 2 items in my entire life (and they were bags) in my front loader. Need I spell it out?  Size doesn't matter with bags.
Crazy 5:  I don't read ALL the directions...
Crazy 6:  I'm using two patterns.  I was totally successful with the first pattern, so why tempt fate?
Crazy 7:  Norway makes beautiful felted slippers commercially.  Hard to beat! --Except for the price.  Here's my pair from 30 years ago.

 I haven't worn them for probably 20 of the 30, and they have air-conditioning at the heel of one.

DeFeet or being oblivious:
The first pair I made in the men's size.  I went to K's house for the top loader, and they felted down smaller than I wanted, but they look great.

Pattern 1 by Midnattsol

Made in garter stitch only, with NO shaping.  (Yes, NO shaping!!  I mean row after row of 22 stitches in pure knit.) I could make these blind-folded! You, too! And this is going to be my FAVORITE pattern.  The only challenge was sewing the strip together to get the shape of a slipper and, come-on, a challenge?

The second pair is the felted clog.  I did them at home and they turned out like this, and enormous.  (The size:  Men's Regular--not large.)

Pattern 2 by Bev Galeskas

Since I didn't want them any larger than they already were, I couldn't stretch out the bumps and curves.  And somewhere in the back of my mind, I read some directions that I didn't follow about what kind of stitch to use to sew the bottom center seam.

Hence, it really needs stretching and it's not going to get it.  Ooops....
The deadline is coming up fast.... and the slippers are drying slowly.

Pattern 1: Felted Slippers by Midnattsol from Midnattsol's Blog (The garter stitch variety... cute and pointy.)  Pattern 2:  Felted Clogs (AC-33) by Bev Galeskas Yarn:  Classic Wool by Patons Worsted / 10 ply 100% Wool

Welcome to the aughts!

Welcome to the 00's...

Hi, everyone! Today I'm running on few hours of sleep, and I'm pumped!

In less than 4 days my house will begin filling up with my daughter and granddaughter of 5 months. For the past 3 months I've been following developments via short movies. I wonder how entertaining they are to my friends, but I guarantee that you'll chuckle at this one!

This is where YARN comes into the picture. I'm surrounded by projects that are in various stages. To get an idea of what I'm up to I've been conscientious about updating my Ravelry page. Some would even say I have an unhealthy obsession about it, but it helps me stay on top of things!

I was up late last night because a "friend" (up for discussion later) showed me a pair of slippers that came from somewhere in Russia by way of her husband's trip. Now that's a good guy, right? Bringing home beautiful handmade slippers! The catch is: I can't resist a challenge. Now to be fair, I TRIED (a bit forcefully) to coerce two fellow knitters to help with the challenge, but they were just too smart, I guess... They turned me down flatly. What was it? To re-create these slippers; in other words write out a pattern so someone else could re-create them. I don't know about copyright laws but I looked at tons of patterns (on Ravelry) and I saw nothing like them. Please let me know if it truly is published, but in the meantime today, November 25th, 2009 was the day I wrote out a pattern. Will it work? Maybe... Anyone want to give it a try? Here it is:

Slipper Socks from Russia

Use Aran/Worsted weight yarn, and US #8 needles.

Cast on 26 st.

Knit 4 rows of garter stitch, and 12 rows of stockinette.

Knit 16, k2tog, turn. *Slip 1, p6, p2tog, turn, slip 1, k6, k2tog, turn* Repeat * to * until all stitches “live” (all stitches have been picked up and knitted).

At end of last knit row pick up 10 stitches along the side of piece. Turn and purl back. At end of purl row pick up 10 stitches along the side of piece. (27 stitches)

Continue stockinette until slipper is 3” less than the length of finished foot. Start toe.

Change to contrasting color and use short rows to taper toe.

Knit to last stitch. Wrap and turn (W&T) See below. Purl back to last stitch, W&T. Knit to one stitch before previously wrapped stitch, and next stitch W&T. Wrap stitches on each side until there are 8 “live/unwrapped” stitches in the center.

Next row (tip of toe) * knit 3, slip 1, k2tog, pass slipped stitch over [psso] (3 stitches=1 stitch, double decrease), knit 3, unwrap one stitch by knitting wrap and stitch together. Wrap next stitch (this will be the second wrap making it a “double wrap”) and turn. Purl 8, unwrap next (purl wrap and stitch together), wrap next stitch (dbl wrap) and turn. *

Repeat * to * until all stitches are unwrapped.

Continue in pattern (using double decrease in center: sl1, k2tog, psso) and pick up one stitch on each side in every other row on slipper side. At top of cuff, pick up last stitch and begin bind off row. At end of row pick up one more stitch from top of cuff and bind it off with last stitch of row.

Tuck in ends!

Good luck with it. I hope to hear from someone about their success or adaptations.

And Happy Thanksgiving!

I'm joining the blog world, and wonder if anyone really comments on things.