Thursday, November 25, 2010

"Skating" Slippers ...

A certain young man, who is 3, declared that he needed new slippers so he could practice skating in the house. Besides skating, his current favourite thing is Spiderman, hence the colour combination choice. "Please can you make me some new slippers, Grandma?" (Insert big, pleading, brown eyes with long lashes, here.)

I had used this pattern previously and quite liked it, although all the m1's were a little hard on the wrists. Also, since the time I last made this pattern, we now have a front load washer/dryer set, which as you all know, makes felting something intentionally, a little more challenging. (Although the handwash cycle managed it perfectly on my Tea Leaves Cardigan, unintentionally :P****)

I set the machine to 'hot wash' and then added some more boiling water from the Kettle. Added a drop of "SOAK", put the slippers in a lingerie bag and let it run, until just before the spin cycle. Took at look at it, decided it needed more and canceled the current cycle and reset to 'hot wash' and repeated. Did this 4-5 times, before I was satisfied that it was as felted as it was going to get and the stitch definition was blurred. Needless to say, not much else got done during the HOUR it took to do this, as I was standing in the middle of the laundry room with a cup of tea, ready to pounce on the door.

Turned out just the right size, with a 1/2" of grow room. Said child has been threatened :) that these are for inside use only and not for touring the garage or new property (1 acre on greenbelt, overlooking a ravine with a creek). Yah, right? At least I don't have to watch him do it.

Pattern: Fiber Trends Felted Clogs for Children
Yarn: Cascade 220 - 1 ball each of red and blue (Spiderman colours!)
Needle: 9mm
Size: 8"

Opened bag and tried them on immediately! Don't you just love it when folks are excited to receive the knits you make them?

They fit!

Practicing skating on our tile, in front of the mirrors. Thumbs up, all the way around!

3 comments:

Tara said...

Way to go, Grandma! Those are great :) Excellent Spidey colour-choice, as well.

Preeti said...

You're the coolest Grandma ever!!! Those slippers look fantastic!!!!!

Emily Leiphart said...

These are so cute and look how happy you've made your grandson! Thanks for stopping by during the Paper Smooches Blop Hop!