The Felted Clogs that ate my 2006

This was my first successful felted clog. It is my original design. It was first knitted, then fulled, then needle felted, and then finally a knitted band. It was completed in September for my sister's birthday and a battle royale among my sisters and my mother ensued. They were very loved.




So....I knew what my x-mas gifts would be this year. There were requests from grandmas and friends and long estranged aunts and cousins. I knit over 8 pairs (yes, 16 giant pre-felted convertable cozies). I was really chugging along on these for a few months and there was an impressive pile in my apartment. The first felting batch came out looking something like this...



The second felting batch came out as a much smaller, furrier, tougher breed of clog... It was a nightmare (before christmas). I panicked as my most important pairs were in that load. The pair for my mom and the pair for my other sister. They were just slightly too small to fit even their freakishly short,squat feet. I carried on needle felting them and knitting on ankle bands hoping for a miracle. I searched the internet feverishly for some unfelting spell I could perform when the ladies at Knitter's Review (the best forums on the web, by far) knocked such a brilliantly simple idea into my head. I soaked them in cool water, stretched the offending clogs over some of my mom's old shoes, and ironed them on the highest setting. I also wrapped them in wax paper and ironed over that (it gave a very subtle sheen that I really like). I blow dried and waited and blow dried and waited and finally, at 11pm Christmas eve I pulled them carefully off the shoes and wrapped them ever so elegantly and placed them lovingly under the tree. They were a big hit.

I am hoping to publish the pattern next winter. Keep an eye on Knitty, perhaps?

These are Veronica's.

These are my mom's.