The past few days you could find me standing on my coffee table insisting that my husband "look at my feet!" because I made my own shoes (slippers). I was skeptical of the pattern. It looked too low around the sides. It surely would flop off (It doesn't). I was skeptical after I knit the pieces and found myself with this:
How is that mess going to turn into a shoe (slipper)?
But once it was all seamed up and thrown into the hot soapy water in the washing machine, something magical happened. It turned into an actual working shoe (slipper).
Some pattern notes:
- The pattern is fairly straightforward. I was worried when I saw that the bottom was knit with three strands of yarn. After reading around on Ravelry I saw someone linked to a video of Navajo Knitting. Brilliant. This made knitting the bottoms super simple. There are also video tutorials on proper seaming methods here.
- It felted quickly. It really was necessary to stay close to the washer.
- I knit it in Paton's Classic Wool picked up on sale at the craft store on giant US 13 needles.
And from now to the end of the month half of the proceeds will go to World Vision's Haiti Earthquake Relief Fund.
Those are fabulous! I love the color!
Posted by: Amy Caroline | January 19, 2010 at 07:39 AM
You must be pretty tiny if you can stand on your coffee table. ;-)
Pretty slippers, Dorothy.
Posted by: Barbara | January 19, 2010 at 07:51 AM
you made those? wow! that's incredible!
Posted by: sarah | January 19, 2010 at 09:11 AM
I haven't made any yet----I don't know what I'm waiting for!
Why do you have to stay near the washer? To keep trying them on to make sure they don't get too small?
Posted by: Sara | January 19, 2010 at 09:14 AM
They are adorable!
Posted by: Sarah | January 19, 2010 at 09:20 AM
I bought the pattern last week, and can't wait to make myself a pair! (Ceramic tile floors- in Canada! What was the builder thinking??)
Posted by: coffeemamma | January 19, 2010 at 09:43 AM
Those look great! I love the color. Now, I need to find some yarn. I already bought the pattern.
Posted by: KC | January 19, 2010 at 09:54 AM
Super cute!!!
Posted by: MelanieB | January 19, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Those are adorable.
Now, make me a toaster. I am convinced you're capable of this.
Posted by: Karen Edmisten | January 19, 2010 at 11:38 AM
NICE! I saw those before and was very skeptical...I think I will give them a shot!
Posted by: Elisa | January 19, 2010 at 12:55 PM
ruby slippers!
how lovely!
and magical.
i am smiling as i imagine you atop your coffee table....
Posted by: regan | January 19, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Wow, that is so impressive!!!
Posted by: 12ontheinside | January 19, 2010 at 02:55 PM
I have wanted to try these since they were Harlo-tized! That looks like an awful lot of sewing though....
Your's look great!
Posted by: Butzeballchen | January 20, 2010 at 05:53 AM
The seaming was not as bad as I expected. It just took a few minutes.
Posted by: Jennifer | January 20, 2010 at 06:47 AM
That is too awesome!! I am not advanced enough yet to make those beautiful slippers, but just last night I was reading a pattern to make a pot holder and it required three strands of yarn knitting at the same time. I only had one ball of yarn and then I saw your post. Perfect! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
Posted by: Carrie | January 23, 2010 at 07:31 AM
Very cute. I haven't tried felting, but I am intrigued by these... and also in need of new slippers.
Posted by: darcee | January 25, 2010 at 07:51 AM