A Pair of Felt Clogs for me! Part 2

I just realized we got from Part 1 to Part 2 quickly. Next time I think I will take a few more pictures!!

Here they are...almost ready for felting! I have finished the pink tops and attached the second sole.

Then I secured all the ends...

And now they are awaiting my sisters washing machine for felting.

 

Why am I going to my sisters house for this event?  Well, because I have a front loading washer and have not had good luck felting in it! She has a great big, really old, washing machine that works really well for felting. And I get to catch up with what is happening in her world:)

A Pair of Felt Clogs for me! Part 1

The girls boots (yes I will share the pre and post felting pictures once I figure out where they are!) look so comfy, I decided to make a pair of clogs for myself. Especially since I feel like I live in a snow globe! Really, is it supposed to snow EVERY day in winter?

First I selected my yarn and carefully wound the balls from the skeins. See how nice they look....

 Then along comes...Stella....apparently she had a blast while I was not in the living room....

...Because this is what I picked up off the floor when I returned to the living room!

 So, then I did this...some of the yarn was so twisted. It was easier to cut and then join (see a previous post about joining wool yarn)

 And then it was time to begin. Here is the first of my 4 soles. Each clog has a double sole so they will last a really long time.

 

And all of that took a really long time. Now on the the rest of the clogs!

I hope to be wearing them soon.

A great trick with wool yarn!

As I was completing boot #2 for kid #4 I ran out of yarn and had to switch to a new skein. The cool part is that I can do this without a bump or a hiccup in my work! I learned this from Maura at the Yarnery in St. Paul.

First the problem... I am working a double strand of wool yarn for the boot and have come to the end!

 Second, to connect the strands, start by fraying the ends of the yarn.

Third, place the ends in the palm of your hand and spit on them. You are welcome! for not giving you a close up of the actual spit!

 Next, roll the ends together with the spit. Just like when you rolled play dough between your hands and rolled it to make worms or snakes.

And now, to continue knitting the boot!

P.S. This trick only works with wool yarn.

More felted boots!

Kid #4 is anxiously awaiting her felted boots! Here is what I have so far...

Boot one only needs to have the seams sewn up! Boot two is just emerging through the sole stage. This boot pattern has you create the first sole, knit up the instep, and then up the leg. Then a second sole is created and added to the main boot to make it more durable. 

Once my girls try these out I'll update you all to let you know about the durability of the soles!

A knitted boot

I started to work on this adorable knitted boot/slipper for my kid #5. Once completed I am going to make another pair for her American Girl doll.

Once I stitch up the bottom and sew in the loose ends it's time to felt!

Hello washing machine:)