What Are You Learning Today?
Every day is a learning opportunity. I know that I learn so much in the day-to-day interactions with people. I make it my goal to keep learning new things even though it’s been a while since I was last taking a formal class.
Today, the learning opportunity comes in the form of an experiment. As a good science student, here’s my “pre-lab” writeup.
Experiment: Felted Elf Slippers
Question: Is it possible to make a pair of felted Elf Slippers before Christmas?
Hypothesis: If sleep is ignored and other tasks abandoned it will probably be possible to finish knitting the slippers. Time until Christmas in this case is the independent variable, and caffeine consumption is another independent variable that will work to decrease the amount of sleepiness. Large gauge needles will decrease the time taken to complete the socks, but the immensity of the pre-felted slipper will counteract any advantage given by the needle size. Felting has many variables (washing machine, water temperature, time) and since it is the first experience with felting, results will be unpredicted.
Materials:
- Cascade 220 1 skein dark green
- Cascade 220 1 skein bright green
- 6.5mm DPN
Procedure:
Refer to Flint Knits Felted Elf Slipper pattern
Data:
Image courtesy of Through The Loops
Dec.22.2009 11:00 PM Inspiration hits. Wool run planned for 23rd
Dec.23.2009 4:00 PM Wool run to Wool-Tyme. Cascade 220 and needles acquired.
Dec.23.2009 7:00PM Cast-on first slipper
Dec.23.2009 10:00PM Astounded by size of slipper in progress, caffeine consumed
Dec.24.2009 12:30AM Overcome by sleep. Slipper 1 complete
Dec.24.2009 8:30AM Caffeine consumed, slipper 2 cast on
Dec.24.2009 10:30AM Second Slipper Syndrome Already? Break for nourishment/present wrapping/delivery.
Dec.24.2009 1:00PM Successful Santa mission, and delivered an awesome hat to a cute little boy 
Dec.24.2009 2:33PM Second slipper is growing. Decision made: gift could be pre-felted slippers….if time runs out. Then they could be felted-to-fit….that sounds like a good plan, right?
Dec.24.2009 5:12PM Second slipper is 8 inches from completion. Must rest fingers and wrap more gifts.
Dec.24.2009 7:30PM Digested dinner and knit 8 inches by the fire.
Dec.24.2009 10:30PM Church break.
Dec.25.2009 1:00AM DONE….ends sewn in and everything.
I had only this much yarn left over! About 2 meters…..Cutting it close!!!
Since late night early morning felting sounds like an all around disaster a BAD idea, the HUMONGOUS slippers are under the tree, and will be felted to fit tomorrow afternoon between turkey basting sessions.
Dec.25.2009 11:30AM Slippers unwrapped, and tried on. Dad confused by size. They fit like a hat!
Dec.25.2009 12:30PM Slippers put in a zip up pillow case and washed (no soap) in washing machine. Settings: low water level, hot temperature.
Dec.25.2009 1:00PM Felting accomplished! Slippers stuffed with plastic bags drying on heating register, and in front of the fire.
Dec.26.2009 1:00PM Slippers still slightly damp. Gave up and put them in dryer for 15 minutes.
Dec.26.2009 1:20PM Slippers are done and being worn.
Conclusions: Felting works. Pre-felted items are HUGE, but shrink down to a very nice size. It is possible to knit a pair of elf slippers and felt them in a day and a half. The drying is the unexpected variable. It took a very long time to dry!
before felting
After Felting
Tags: best of 2009, felting, knitting, socks
