Thursday, November 03, 2005

Felted Clogs

Felting is so cool. The magic of it amazes me every single time. I always think I've made something way too big and it always shrinks right down. This shouldn't surprise me so much. I follow the pattern, I use the good math done by the smart patternmakers, I swatch and wash my swatch in hot water (no, actually I don't ever do that, but I might start someday). The best part about felting is the non-knitters. They stare and laugh and say "you're making what? Slippers for a sasquatch? A French Market Bag for an elephant?" and then, voila, they are jealous of my little furry purse or my comfy cozy clogs! Check it out.

Before



And After



These felted clogs (Fiber Trends Pattern) were a super fast knit. I started them on Sunday and finished them Tuesday night. And I'm not an unusually speedy knitter. I used size 13 needles with two strands of Patons Merino held together. I made the women's size 8 and they came out more like a 9 or 9.5, perfect for my amply sized feet. I don't have a top loading washer so I had to felt in a front loader. I ran them through two full washes in hot water/high agitation with two towels, a pair of jeans, a flannel shirt, and some random socks that snuck in somehow. Is it me, or do they look a little nervous?



Then I put them in the dryer cause I'm crazy like that. Over the next few days I suspect they'll start molding to my feet and into a more cloggy shape. What, more photos depicting the magic of felting? Ok!

Before



And After

4 comments:

Megann said...

Awesome! I've never felted, but it looks like fun.

Ashley said...

I am a big fan of throwing felted things inthe dryer. Because otherwise, you can't wear/use them for days and days, and who wants that? These will be perfect post-marathon.

Anonymous said...

Those running shoes next to the clogs look like they belong to a kick-ass marathoner! Good luck this weekend and have fun!!!

Anonymous said...

Those are really cute. I love felting... something so naughty about throwing wool in the washing machine...