Another project from the lovely ”Ullen vi ärvde” subscription by Tant Kofta. It showcased the 10 swedish heritage sheep breeds in a two part subscription of 5 breeds per year. For each package I received yarn spun from that particular breed of sheep, a pattern made to compliment the yarn, a lock of wool, and usually a small tool or trinket. I believe this came with a small pet brush with metal bristles.
The Gestrike sheep has quite coarse and rustic wool, and fulls beautifully.
Step one: knit huuuge ”socks”. It’s worked from the toe up, with some increases for a gusset, and an afterthought heel. The icord bind off gives some extra stability.
It took several tries in the washing machine to get them to my size. The openings are basted shut with some cloth in the slipper, and sewn wedged in the opening to make sure there’ll still be room for a foot when it’s done.
After fulling I brushed the knit side to make them nice and fuzzy. Then I turned them wrong side/purl side out. I love the texture! They’re super cosy inside with the brushed wool.
These soles will hopefully prevent worn through slippers. Plus, they’re not slippery at all like this. The soles are from recycled leather from furniture manufacturing, and they were prepared with holes around the edge for easy sewing. I used a waxed linen thread that I hope will hold up.
Slippers with feet in them, embroidery in progress.
Finishing the embroidery took longer than knitting and fulling the slippers.
The yarn I used has been sitting in my stash long enough for the cellophane bag to become brittle. It’s a very soft wool yarn, probably merino. I attended a workshop on how to embroider bullion stitch roses and bought a bundle of pre cut yarn in different colours.
The roses are very fun and satisfying to embroider, but I need to look up how to do them every time. They are pretty easy, but I embroider too seldom to remember.
The green vines are chain stitch with two colours of yarn.
This was so much fun, and gave me inspiration for more fulling adventures. (For example this Mug rug I made for a swap, using what I learned from the slippers)
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