Tag Archives: slippers

*Yawn*

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Good morning, everyone.  Did you sleep well?

No?  Me neither.  I don’t now if it’s the springtime pollen in the air, or something I’ve eaten, or that I have something on my mind, but I’ve been having a tough time sleeping the last few days.  Or, I should be more precise, I’m having a tough time getting out of bed in the morning.

All I want to do right now is close all the shades, snuggle back under the covers, and sleep for about three more hours.  Somehow, I don’t think I’m going to be able to do that, what with work, housework, and one small dog that’s really looking forward to going on a walk.

Instead of going back to sleep, let’s look at adorable knit sleep aids, and dream of dreaming.

I always have cold feet, and my current slippers are getting a bit disreputable, so maybe I should knit up a pair of these thrummed slippers to wear before bed, while sipping my Sleepytime Tea.

Cadeautje by Ysolda TeagueThen I could prop myself up with this adorable sheep pillow while I read a chapter or two of my current novel before bed.

Bobble Sheep Pillow in Super Soft Merino by Purl SohoAnd then I’d snuggle under my pile of blankets, and go to sleep.  I can always use one more blanket, and this one looks so soft and pretty, I know I’d get really good sleep under it.

Garter Squish by Stephen WestAll this sleep-talk is making me, well, sleepy.  I’d better go make some coffee *yawn*, or I’ll just end up back… zzzzz…..

What?! More Patterns?

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That’s right, knitters!  I’ve got another brand-spanking-new pattern, just for you!

(Actually it’s kind of 4 patterns in one!  I know!  Crazy!)

Last week, Knit Picks published another great collection, Knits for Everybody.  It’s such a smart book- I know I’ll be keeping my copy close at hand.330131Knits for Everybody is a collection of four super simple patterns (hats, sweaters, socks and mittens), useful staples that everyone can use (and make customize, if that’s how you roll).  But here’s the awesome part:  They are literally for everybody.  The sweater sizes go from a 3-month-old baby all the way up to a Men’s XXL.  The hats fit everyone from a preemie to a big-headed adult (like me).  And, my socks go from a 4″ foot circumference all the way up to a 10.5″ circumference.330131071My sock pattern is a super simple knitted sock with a heel flap in literally every size.  But here’s the cool part:  You can follow the directions to knit from the top down (my favorite), or from the toe up (my second favorite), and end up with virtually the same sock.  That way you can use whichever method feels right for you.330131081And, I’ve provided two slightly different variations: Socks (knit in sock weight, with a long ribbed cuff) and Slippers (knit in super-squishy worsted with a shorter cuff).

Of course, you can jazz up these socks and slippers whatever way you like.  Add stripes? Yes.  Change the ribbing? Why not!  Work some cables? Sure!  You can customize these socks (or any other pattern in the book) with no problem for socks that are truly your own!330131091Want to win a copy of Knits for Everybody?  Tell me which pattern you would make, and who it would be for. Socks for your auntie?  A hat for your nephew? A sweater just for you?

Inspiration: Sick Day

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I love my day job, I really do!  Teaching kids is amazing.  My students are hilarious, scary smart, and always surprising.

Unfortunately, they are also always teeming with disease.

Which means that I am also always sick.  It’s the worst!  I’ve had this cold (complete with a lung-dislodging cough) for almost three weeks!  (Don’t worry Mom, I’ve been to the doctor and she said I just need to take it easy and drink lots of fluids.  I promise I’m taking care of myself!)

When I’m feeling crummy, all I want to do is sit on the couch, snuggle with my dog, and wear comfy, warm, over-sized knits.

Luckily, there are lots of gorgeous patterns for sick-day appropriate wear.

I’m pretty sure I need to make these ridiculous slipper socks.  They’re huge!  And look so comfy and slouchy!

Slipper Socks by Erika Knight

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And I think I might need this hat.  Actually, I might need this hat even on non-sick days.

Simple Slouch Hat by Robyn Devineaura_grey_4_medium[1]

And I’m pretty sure this shrug/sweater thing is the closest I could get to literally wearing a blanket around the house.  So, that’ll have to happen.

Granny cocoon shrug by Maria Valles

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Anyway, I’m off to go make another cup of Sleepytime tea and take some more Mucinex.  Wish me luck!

What do you want to wear when you’re feeling under the weather?

Inspiration: It’s Way Too *#^@ing Cold

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We are firmly in the SECOND cold snap of the winter, here in Seattle.  Seattle, where I was promised damp, cloudy, and 40s for most of the  year.  Seattle, where I moved to get away from the excessive cold of the Midwest, and the ridiculous hot of the South.  Seattle, where I expected to wear nothing but wool sweaters and flannel shirts for 90% of the year.

It is currently (at 11:30 in the morning) 27 degrees.  27!

And, there’s snow and ice all over outside.  (In November!)

It’s not right.  It’s not fair.  And I don’t like it.

All I want to do is roll myself up in a big wad of roving and go into hibernation until the temperature is back in the 40s.

Unfortunately, that’s not really approved of by society in general, so I suppose I must make do with the next closest thing.  Thrummed knitting.

Thrummed knitting involves working little tufts of roving into your knitting (traditionally mittens, but right now I would consider murder if it meant I could get my hands on a thrummed sweater).  It’s a little futzy, but not terribly so.  And, you end up with knitting that’s completely lined with glorious, fluffy wool (think of shearling, but knitted, not leather), and dotted with cute little heart-shaped stitches.  I can’t think of anything better than walking around with my hands (and feet) swaddled with woolen goodness.

Try these mittens, for some traditional thrummed action:

Yarn Harlot Thrummed Mittens by Stephanie Pearl-McPhee

Outside:

2895409293_91de82094a_z[1]Inside (I know, right?!):

2873388824_e07708cb94_z[1]Or, if you’re like me and have ice cubes instead of toes, these slippers would be fantastic:

Cadeautje by Ysolda Teague

cadeautje_medium2[1]Now, I’m off to go see if I can fit another sweater over the one I’m already wearing… Wish me luck!

Pattern: Sunday Morning Slipper Socks

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAPour yourself a cup of tea, pull out a favorite book, and slip on these thick and cozy socks for the perfect lazy Sunday morning.  Delicate lace flows from the leg to the top of the foot, making these super-warm slippers surprisingly girly and flattering.  They’re thick enough to be extra-cozy, but thin enough to leave on when you slip on your clogs and run to the store for some fresh doughnuts.  Worked in wooly DK-weight yarn and larger-than-normal needles, these socks knit up in a snap, so you have time to make a pair for yourself, your mother, your sister and your best friend.

See the pattern details on Ravelry.

Or, get the pattern here for $3: 

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Pattern Spotlight: Turkish Bed Socks

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I love knitting gifts for other people, but there are only so many hours in the day, and so many yards of yarn in my stash.  So what’s a girl to do?  How about making Turkish Bed Socks for all your friends.  These ankle socks are a great compromise between being a quick little project, and producing something beautiful and useful.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAThey make great gifts, since they’re one-size-fits-most (even I, with my big man feet, can fit into them if I add a few extra rows in the foot part, but that’s easy to do).   They’re nice for bumming around the house and keeping your tootsies warm, and they look really cute peeking out of clogs or Converse sneakers.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAnd, a pair of these socks takes only a fraction of the amount of yarn that regular socks take to work up.  I managed three pairs of these from one 100g skein of sock yarn.  A bargain, if you have to manufacture a bazillion of these.

OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAAlso, while the pattern is written as a simple stockinet stitch sock, they suggest that you work your favorite cable, rib, textured, or lace pattern on the top of the foot, which can make each pair unique, and will keep you interested while you knit them up.

So, if you’re looking for a stocking stuffer, try making up some Turkish Bed Socks.