My first pair of knitted clogs has been a real adventure. The first clog involved a LOT of counting, recounting, checking the number of stitches on the needle every few rows, muttering under my breath, tearing out, recounting...you get the picture, even if you aren't a knitter.I finally spent a whole day in the back room known affectionately as the "class room" at The Shaggy Sheep, from 8:30 am until 5:30 pm, determined to get that sucker DONE!! And I did it!
The second one was WAY faster to knit, a matter of a couple of hours, which is what instuctor Bonnie kept telling me. I'm a believer now. There are always little tips and tricks in any knitting project, and I've got a handle on this one, now!
Ummm. It looks kinda like...maybe a Sasquatch slipper?? It's HUGE.
Several friends who make felted totes and handbags say that when they get the bags knitted, they are the size of suitcases before felting. I hafta trust 'em...
Ten minutes sharing a very hot water tubby with a couple pair of jeans in the washing machine, and - wahlah!! FELTED CLOGS!!
Part of the process is to put the WET clogs on right out of the washing machine, to check for size (at least they were nice and warm from the hot water...). If not small enough, back in they go. These were pretty snug, and knowing they will stretch a bit with wear, I figured for a first pair they were good enough. A hand rinsing, then squeezed gently in a thirsty rolled towel to get as much water out as possible, then reshaping and stuffed with plastic grocery bags to hold that shape, two days of drying - this project is almost done.
I say "almost", because I'm getting some suede soles to sew on the bottoms. I don't like skating over slick floors.
I say "almost", because I'm getting some suede soles to sew on the bottoms. I don't like skating over slick floors. I get enough practice at that sort of stuff when winter hits Wisconsin.
7 comments:
Thanks for the pattern. I'll try it when I'm finished with my current project - the Swine flu!
That is AMAZING!! I am so very impressed! That is such a cool thing to be able to do! What a fun, cool, and practical ability! You are such a great resource, the kind of person you need around in a pinch! I bet besides being totally cool they are very warm! ha!
Might I recommend an orthotic insert for you clogs. Then your feet are always supported. I wear Haflingers that are boiled wool slippers and they have an arch which has been a life saver for me. Since I wear them when I'm at home and I work from home, they are my primary shoes. It makes a difference.
Yes, I agree with the orthotic suggestion. I have them in my regular leather clogs and daily shoes. I'll definately be using a pair of inserts with these felted clogs, they need that extra arch support. They sure are cozy!
Candy, am I right in assuming the knitted 'sasquatch' slipper is the "before" felted clog? What makes them fuzz up like that? That would be catastrophic if you didn't know it was going to happen!
Yes, it was actually the plan, and it worked (thank goodness). The clogs are knit with 100% wool yarn, so that when the project gets washed in hot water, it will shrink, or "felt". The wool becomes tightly packed, and softly fuzzy. The clog is about 2/3 the size of the Sasquatch slipper. There are a jillion felted projects out there; totes/purses were popular last year, and the clogs seem to be "in" this year!
I love 'em. Now that I've seen yours, I'm a believer! I think I want to make some! I was thinking about inserts as well, but Marilyn beat me to it!
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