Horned Hat

I've been sewing up fleece hats this week. I found this great pattern from Feerie Telle and just had to pick it up and make a fun hat. 

The horns are made using smaller pieces so I went through my scrap bin and picked out some blues. 

I needed to get a feel for the effect so I pinned the front of the hat to my foam head. I think they turned out just great. 

Then I finished the hat and it is so great! I'm sure I'll make a few more of these, with different colored horns. These are the large horns. It also includes instructions for smaller horns. Have you made any fun fleece this fall?

My favorite tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Creative Grids 6.5" x 24.5" Rectangle 

Fiskars Rotary Cutter

Fiskars Rotary Cutter replacement blades

Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Fiskars 8-inch scissors

Juki TL-2010Q

Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion

Dritz Craft Pins, 1-3/4-Inch (250-Count)

Felted Slippers

I have this collection of blue yarn perfect for felting. 

I used the LK150 and a video tutorial to make some more slippers

I finished them what seems like ages ago but I didn't wash them to felt them up until recently. Here is how they compare to my earlier experiments. Felting is not very precise and more of an experiment each time I do it. 

They came out great! I still have yarn that will felt so expect to see more of these. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook
addi Express Hook

Knitting claw weights (5 each)

Silver Reed LK150

Felted Slippers

After the last pair of felted slippers turned out too small I decided to give it another try. I modified my notes to make the slipper wider and longer. 

I knit up the pair on the LK150. 

And sewed them up. I so enjoy the color blocking on this design. It's something you can't do easily while knitting in the round. 

Here is what that unfelted (top) slipper looks like next to the felted slipper I made (bottom). 

Here is how it felted up. Sadly, it is still too small for me. I figure the size is around a ladies size 6 shoe.

I learned even more and I'm going to give it another try. They are just too cute to give up now. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook
addi Express Hook

Silver Reed LK150

Felted Slippers

I decided to give felted slippers another chance. This was my second attempt. I make major changes to the design I was using and I'm much happier with this style. Yarn is Knit Picks Wool of the Andes. It felts up so nicely. 

These are knit flat on the LK150 knitting machine and then the sides are seamed by hand. The color changes are partially a style choice and partially to assist with lining up that hand seaming. 

This time the felting was just awesome! Unfortunately, I didn't knit them big enough so these are really a child's size. I learned so much making them. I learned how this knit fabric felted (so great!) and how many rows I need to knit to get an inch of felted material. The next pair will be so much better! 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook
addi Express Hook

Silver Reed LK150

Felted Slippers

I've been experimenting with making felted slippers on the knitting machine. This was my first try. 

Sure, it started out huge, felting works like that. 

While it felted very nicely, and the length was about right....

The width just wasn't workable. Even more felting wouldn't fix this problem. This was a great learning experience. 

I've gone back to the machine and tried again. I changed tension and the way I'm forming the heel and toes because I'm not a fan of that boxy toe. Now to get the second pair assembled and washed. Wish me luck!

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars 7 Inch Softgrip Student Scissors (snipping yarn)
5 Pieces 5 Different Size Bent Latch Hook Crochet Needle Hook
addi Express Hook

Silver Reed LK150

Purple Felfs

 

Last week I finished up this pair of felfs. I determined each of these felfs takes about 70 grams of yarn. That meant the two 50 gram balls of Knit Picks Wool of the Andes in purple wasn't enough to make the pair. I worked through one of the balls and switched to the lighter, heathered yarn for the remainder. 

These felted up beautifully! 

Such a fun pair of felted slippers! The best way to fit a pair of felted slippers is to put them on when they are still damp. That way they can stretch to fit your feet. I should make a couple more pairs. 

Pattern: The Art of Felfs by Cat Bordhi

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Addi Turbo circular knitting needle 32 inch - Size US 11

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
blunt tip scissors
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader

Midnight Slippers

I purchased the Midnight Slipper pattern from Stitch Upon A Time because I prefer soft-soled slippers. For this pair, I fussy-cut some scraps of fleece to make my first pair. Here are all my pieces cut out. Since I made this with fleece for the outer and lining I did not use fleece between the two layers. I substituted the bottom with non-slip fabric. I also used a piece of batting between the lining and the non-slip fabric for a little extra padding. 

I was a little concerned about the bulk for the elastic when using two layers of fleece but it came out just fine. 

The assembly is quick and straightforward. If you try this pattern and something doesn't make sense I found this YouTube video that shows the assembly in detail that might help you with assembly.  

When you get to the end you make an inside-out sandwich with the soles. 

That non-slip fabric is totally necessary for me. I have no carpet in my home so not slipping on the laminate flooring is important. 

I'm really pleased with how these turned out. I think this pattern is great for making small gifts to friends. I don't know if everyone needs slippers but I'm willing to take that chance. I've got plenty of fleece scraps that want to spend their time being slippers. 

Tools and Supplies (affiliate links):

Fiskars Rotary Cutter
Fiskars Self Healing Rotary Cutting Mat
Grabbit Magnetic Pin Cushion
Fiskars 8-inch scissors
Juki TL-2010Q

Purple Felfs

Felfs in the making! This is really simple knitting. Worked flat on big needles. 

Then sewn up into a foot-like shape. These are made to be mirror images.

This is the basic shape once sewn up. I hope those lines show up nicely after felting. 

I wanted to show the size before and after felting. These are made with Sheep's Pride and felt up nicely, even if they do need a couple trips through the wash cycle to get down to a slipper size. I'm going to make some using Knit Picks Wool of the Andes next. I think the felting will come out differently but felting is an adventure! You don't really know how it will turn out until you're done.  

Pattern: The Art of Felfs by Cat Bordhi

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Addi Turbo circular knitting needle 32 inch - Size US 11

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
blunt tip scissors
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader

Colorful Felfs

Several years ago I purchased The Art of Felfs by Cat Bordhi. 

I pulled out some Lamb's Pride and knit up another pair. I also knit up a test square using a different yarn. If you have the pattern, this little square is how you make your felt swatch so you can calculate how many stitches you need for your slippers. It's brilliant, really. They look terribly large before they get felted.  

One trip thought the wash in a zippered bag and the test square is perfect but the slippers need another trip through the wash. Felting is an interesting process when you are trying to felt something. 

Tools and supplies (affiliate links):

Addi Turbo circular knitting needle 32 inch - Size US 11

Clover Locking Stitch Markers
blunt tip scissors
Large eye needles 
Clover Yarn Threader