I have long admired the Moonkoosa Boot pattern by Tiny Owl Knits and the many finished versions on Ravelry. So, when I found a big bag of Lopi wool in a charity shop it seemed like the perfect opportunity to give the pattern a try. Lopi is great for felting. The first pair that I knitted was the shortest design - simple slippers. I foolishly ignored the instructions to felt by hand and shoved the knitted slippers into the washing machine. When I took them out it became clear why it is best to do it by hand. The fringes matt together and it is hard work pulling them apart. However after an evening spent teasing them apart and squishing them into a good shape I left them to dry on a radiator. The finished result was pretty good and I was well pleased with them. So much so that I immediately knitted another pair in navy blue Lopi.
I decided to machine felt again and so spent another evening pulling the strands of yarn apart for the fringe. This version was the ankle boot style so there was an extra row of fringing. Unfortunately, the boots are a little too big in the foot and need to be refelted. I am thinking to do this by hand as I don't want the fringe to matt together again. As yet, I haven't got around to doing this. The pattern is really quick and simple to knit up. The finished slippers are really fun . I would recommend it.
This winter I have topped up my stock of handknitted socks by several pairs. I love the colourful yarns that you can use to make socks. They are also a small, quick, portable project that fits easily into a handbag. This rainbow pair was knitted from West Yorkshire Spinners sock yarn purchased at John Lewis. It is a lovely yarn that knits up into extremely pleasing stripes.
Last Summer I made quite few pairs of these flip flop sandals and gave most of them away as gifts. I found the pattern on Ravelry, of course! The crochet top turns a pair of flipflops into a really comfortable and stylish sandal. It also doesn't take very much yarn - less than 50g. I found that an acrylic and cotton mix gives the most comfortable pair of sandals. With flipflops being only about £1 a pair it is a fun, inexpensive project.
