Thursday, February 14, 2008
I have a Valentine!!!! 
When not wearing the loafers they look like I have little "Oompa Loompa" feet wearing a size 4 Haha! :op
But they do conform to my feet when I put them on!
Time: This project is quick and can be done over a weekend......now ask me if I really did that?!? Haha ;op
But once I truly buckled down (= not getting sidetracked) I did the majority of the slippers within a day and a half!
To keep me on target and motivated I concocted a Malabrigo Loafer KAL on Ravelry ;op
So glad I did because I learned a lot of great tips from doing that!
Thanks to Cocoknits herself who chimed in!! YAH!
And Telmah who was our guinea pig knitter in being the first one done with her loafers!
Appreciate all the tips ladies!!
Go see some more awesome loafers on the KAL!
Needles: I broke-in my new set of Harmony needles with this project! YAH!!
And I must say "Boy! Those tips are pointy!!" My fingertips are still tender with all the 'SSKs' and 'K2tog' I did repeatedly! Haha! ;op
Almost a full ball is leftover to make something else! But you still need 2 skeins. Especially if you knit 2 at 1 time.
It was pointed out that if you pick up under the bar the bumps would be hidden on the inside giving more of a smooth slipper look.
If you decide to pick up the bumps the loafer would indeed look more like a shoe leaving the bumps on the outside.
I decided that picking up in the bumps would actually be easier! Mainly for counting reasons and knitting ease ;op Haha! However, I do like the more "shoe sole" look so it worked out for the best! :o) Just a quick FYI for those who may want to do these loafers and want to decide to bump or not to bump! ;op
CocoKnits doled out another great tip on an easier way to place soles on the bottoms, of course after I already sewed my own!! ;op But thought I would share what she said here for your reference (and mine for later):
"It’s called the back-stitch for you sewing types. Here goes…
Knot the thread and secure it to the outside of sole in a spot where it will be hidden by the suede sole (so it doesn’t irritate the bottom of your heel on the inside of the loafer). Now go through the knitted fabric and come up through the first hole of the sole. Now go straight down through the first hole BEHIND the one you came up, then angle the needle and come up two holes ahead. Keep repeating this sequence from and you won’t ever have to mess with pulling the yarn up into the inside of the loafer…makes life much easier;-) "
Once I started working on the loafers I realized I didn't want them that thin at the bottom. And Cocoknits recommended that I could knit another sole and just make inserts, or get the lambs wool insoles.
Verdict:
It' nice to have others that can help you with your hobby. Kudos to all the ladies that provided valuable information. They are wonderful!
Keep up the good work!
They LOOK sooooo comfy and purty too.
I'm just playing with you.
I am sure that won't be the only card you receive today.
Happy Valentines Day, Stacey.
Happy Valentine's Day!
I'm afraid that if I made a pair, the amount of cat hair I'd pick up would creep me out!
Happy V-Day Chic!
Happy Valentine's day!
Sounds like you leaned alot from the pattern. Great idea to make a kal so to share tips.
Hope your pjs recover ok...!
Hope you had a wonderful day and happy to be able to brighten your day with a card :)
Thanks as always for such a thorough and helpful review!!!!
Definitely consider picking up knitting! It releaves so much stress! :o)
www.knittinghelp.com has some GREAT videos for you to get started!!