Last week after Craftzine so kindly put my Candy Sushi post up on their site, I found this nifty tutorial for Norwegian house slippers over there as well.
I loved them, and the crafty side of me, that I try so very hard to suppress, just came bubbling to the surface. I was going to make these slippers!
There were a few problems though …
- I didn’t have the right weight of yarn –> Ah, to heck with that, I’ll just make do with what I do have, as long as it’s wool and will felt … who cares right?
- I wanted to make these for Georgia and the size chart was for adult sizing –> ah, who cares, I’ll figure it out. I’ll make them big and keep felting them until they work.
- I don’t knit –> screw the knitting, I’ll crochet them (I made a 1/2 a dish cloth once, how different/difficult can it be?).
So once again, I was making a craft and following none of the instructions!
My materials:
3 colours of wool yarn (suitable for felting) (4 weight, I think)
1 crochet needle (mine is a size 5 from Lizzy’s Klutz kit)
I did the whole pattern in single crochet. If you need a refresher –> Let the Knit Witch show you how! I did!
Sizing: according to the instructions you need 16 stitches across to make a size 5, but her yarn looked pretty thin compared to mine and the stitches more loose. I decided to go with 15 chain stitches (leaving me 14 stitches across). If they were too big, I decided I could force Sam to wear them. They’re a tad girly, but who cares … he wears an earring.
I was careful to make sure all my squares were the same size. I was constantly folding and comparing to make sure. Each of my squares measured approximately 8cmx8cm (3″x3″). Each coloured square was 14 stitches across and 16 rows deep, except for the white square which were 14 stitches across and 18 rows deep (the yarn was a bit thinner and I added the extra rows to balance out the size).
Pattern: When you are knitting, you are supposed to knit one long ‘L’ shape, 6 squares long and 3 squares across. I wasn’t quite sure how to do this crocheting, so I decided to crochet two pieces and stitch them together.
If Blue = 1, Green = 2, and Cream = 3, then the pattern for the slippers is:
Pattern for 5 square piece is: 1 – 2 – 1 – 3 – 2
Pattern for 3 piece square is: 1 – 3 – 1
I didn’t do anything fancy when stitching pieces together …
Just try to keep the stitches neat and tight, but don’t worry too much because the felting process will hide a LOT of flaws.
Folding –> who knew the Norwegians were in to wool origami?! I found the the written instructions (and photos) at Craftzine nearly impossible to follow. Here is a really easy to follow Video tutorial.
Video credit – Knitting with Lissi
I did take photos of every step of the folding, but don’t even look! JUST watch the video. OK?
DON’T try to figure it out … just watch the VIDEO!
When you’re done with the Norwegian Origami (with wool), they should look something like this:
About now, you’ll think to yourself this are stinkin’ HUGE, they’d fit me!
And you’d be right, they are HUGE and the did fit me. That’s where the felting comes in. NO thinking you’re glad you don’t have my ankles, the camera puts on 10lbs!
Felting is really just the washing and shrinking of your knit (crochet) item. So just pop these in a hot wash with detergent and shrink away. If they’re not felted or small enough keep washing them. I washed this pair once on regular cycle with jeans and then again on a sanitary cycle with towels.
Now they’re a perfect fit for Georgia. They’re also soft, thick and perfect for winter!
Note: prior to washing, I knotted all ends, snipped, hid and tucked loose threads!
MK xo
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{ 44 comments… read them below or add one }
You never cease to amaze me! In 2 weeks(?) you can have your entire Christmas list (or at least my birthday) shopping done!
Those look really comfortable. Makes me want to break out the knitting needles.
.-= MelissaH´s last blog ..Biochemical Aspects Of Addiction =-.
Hi, I linked to you from the sushi candy that I found on stumbleupon.com. I love these slippers and have felted a couple of projects. What size did these slipper finish at? What size are you? For the starting size comparison. Thanks, Lana
, I have always wanted to try knitting..those slippers look very comfy and warm..right in time for the -BER months…
OOOOOOOOOOOOO, I’m working on some felted knit slippers for me right now!! Those look FABULOUS!! Did you/are you going to sew some leather or non slip material on the bottom for slippage factor??? That’s my plan for the ones I’m doing…
.-= jamie´s last blog ..TOS Review – Guardian Angel Publishing =-.
I may love you a little bit after this post. Is that OK? I craft the same way. Sadly, my results are not always as good as yours.
.-= debbie´s last blog ..Exercise – The Suburb Style =-.
I don’t knit or crochet. Basically, I’m screwed. :-)
I’m VERY impressed!
.-= Amber’s Crazy Bloggin’ Canuck´s last blog ..Feeding the Addiction =-.
OMGosh!! I can’t believe you just whipped these up! I want a pair too, haha!! These look absolutely amazing. I am also constantly amazed at how professional your pictures look. Are you sure you’re not a professional photographer in disguise?? Awesome.
Oh. my. stars. those are too cute! I want a pair for myself!
.-= Madeline´s last blog ..Where I’ve Been And Miscellaneous Updates =-.
Hi I’m beginner in knit abd want to say thanks they look so cute. Hope will be easy to make it!
.-= Yana´s last blog ..Marvelous Bird Cages =-.
I think I may have to try these.
Those are really cute slippers .. My daughter must love it :)
.-= Pete´s last blog ..Medical Research Funding Issue Brief =-.
thanks for a great tutorial. i will definitively try to learn to crochet.
OMG! I’ve been “hooked” on crochet for about a year now, and have been searching for a great felted slipper pattern! Thank you SO MUCH for the post and the video – I couldn’t understand the directions on the other pattern either! Going to go and dig out my felting wool I’ve been hoarding and whip some of these up! Thanks again!!!
Funny & informative! Thanks for posting this. I liked the look of the knit slippers, but I don’t like knitting, so thanks for making a crochet version!
.-= Shelley ´s last blog ..The Good Old Days =-.
wow! thank you so much for sharing this is such a clear way! a friend of mine gave me a pair of these a couple of years ago, and I tried really hard to figure out the “origami” part… now I have no excuse for making a pair also fo my boyfriend!! thans a lot!1
.-= ninon´s last blog ..A Busy Week End For The Cherrybomb Family! =-.
I want to make these but do you have a way to print the directions without using a million sheets of paper? Please E-mail me and let me know.
Thanks……..
“So once again, I was making a craft and following none of the instructions!”
— A woman after my own heart! What is a plan without modifying it to suit our needs?
Great post, as always.
.-= Shannon @ Lullaby Baby Carriers´s last blog ..Fuss Busters! =-.
Nifty! I don’t care for felted. Do you think this design would work w/ just regular bulky wool?
LOVE. IT! I’ve wanted to make socks and/or slippers – so this is PERFECT. 2 questions:
1) Unfelted, so they still look/feel ok? I’ve never felted…
2) If I wanted to try felting, but for ADULT feet, what would your GUESSTIMATE be for dimensions? Twice as big for everything?
THANKS for sharing this!
~S
Hi,
Nice to see you made the slippers! Glad you liked the video. I know, the instructions on how to fold them in the magazine is hard, that is why I made the video. Nice blog BTW.
Liecel
I love to crochet – have been looking for houseshoes and viola found these … thank u so much. Pam Davis
I found this pattern through TipNut.com this weekend, and fell in love!
I dropped everything else I was working on to whip these up.
Upon completing the first slipper, I quickly realized that it was meant to be for a child. Nonetheless, I completed the second one, and felted them!
They fit my 7 year old perfectly. Now, of course, my 6 year old wants a pair, and I want one, too!
Thanks so much! I love that you converted this awesome knit pattern into an even awesomer – not a word, but should be – crochet pattern!
.-= Jackie´s last blog ..Bread Photos =-.
When felting, do you also throw them in the dryer or air dry? I want to try a pair of these slippers. They are so cute. I knit and crochet but like crochet better. Knitting is so much more stressful.
You are so funny! Thanks so much for sharing!
great project, my grandma only managed to teach me how to crochet lines so all those other complicated shapes… cant do.. this is a great project!!! thanks so much…. i can manage this (i think)…. want to make one for husband one for kid……. so 15 knots for kid (3yrs) and 30 for husbvand (size 42?)
S
So, I felted some sweaters and now I am going to cut them into squares and sew them together. Then fold them into the slippers!
The plan is to start with a pair for my selfish self and work on everyone elses based on how those work out. Any suggestions?
I would love to do the crochet but have all these sweaters waiting for projects and no yarn.
Hello, I’ve been drooling about those slippers for a while, but cant knit and waaaay too complicated! Then I happened on your site! I loved your opening lines where you describe how you crochet…that’s me!!!
Love your site as you stumble through life, love your refreshing attitude. Thanks for taking the time to do this, the instructions are perfect. I am going to try these today. I have a blog where I restore old furniture, make do with stuff others throw out etc…tottle over if you have achance (http://thewattlefence.blogspot.com/) I don’t update as much as you, take care and thank you!
.-= Chris´s last blog ..Migraines =-.
Hey there,
just finished my first slipper- it´s gigantic!
this was my first crotchet work since 19years.
and it was really easy – just the folding is almost rocket-science:D
now i have to get more yarn for the second one – i bought way too less :)
i´m curious if they shrink enough to fit me!
Many greetings from sweden
Melsch
Hi there!!! I´m writing to send you a BIG THANKS, all the way from Patagonia Argentina. You´ve absolutely made my day. I´m in bed with an acking body, feeling terribly, and suddenly, I go and find your fantastic site… I left my amigurumis for later and started at once to see if I could come up with something similar to a slipper. And I did. Truth to be said, I didn´t quite follow your instructions (I never do) but the result was one slipper, just the right size for my 5-year-old daughter. Pure beginers luck. You´re an amazing tutor, and the name you chose for your site fits you like the one slipper in my girl´s foot. Thanks, again, and have a great day!!!
this is a cool idea. will look at designing some more of these patterns myself once making these ones.
hey this is cool. will look at making these in the near future. Thanks
Hi there, Mommyknows…
I could sure use some help with measurements…in Liecel’s directions, I just can’t figure out the square sizes to knit.
I can’t get 22 st to 10 cm using size 9 needles, and when I downsize on my knitting needles, I think the squares are too small.
How did you figure out how large the squares should be? I need to felt down to a woman’s size 9…
Could sure use your expertise.
THanks,
Elaine
Bless you woman! I’ve been searching for a decent pattern for my picky son, but I suck at sizing and the whole “not-following-the-actual-rules” thing totally works for me :D. Never felted before, but we’ll see. I’m going to make tons of these!
Blessed Be
i love this pattern. is there anyway to print it without all the comments at the end making it 14 pages to print?
I love these. I started crocheting 2 weeks ago and can’t seem to put it down. I started a pair last night! Yours are lovely. Question for you, do you have a problem with them being too slippery? Would you recommend some sort of bottem piece for them?
how do you know if the yarn will felt? because i went to buy some but i didn’t know which ones would felt and which ones wouldnt…?
I enjoyed your adventure with the slippers. These are something I would definitely try and have fun with. Though I am thinking of making squares of various colors of available yarn in colors that hit my fancy. I am following your feed. Thanks Much Cher
Thank you for your Norwegian House Slipper demonstration on U-Tube. As a retired school teacher, may I suggest you make the video using different colored blocks for the nine blocks, and use another contrasting color thread to sew the slipper together. That way you can tell the student by block color what to sew next, and the different color yarn to sew the slipper together shows up well against the blocks..
Thank you for your help, I got my first slipper sown together with your help!
Karon
Hi , I also love this pattern and made a pair for my son last year for Christmas. I won’t to make some more for Christmas presents this year but the ones I want to make them for are alergic to wool. Can anyone tell me if this pattern would work with regular yarn and what would the sizes be in American sizes?
Thanks, Cindy K.
These slippers I love them!!! I’ve never seen this method before, fascinating… Could I ask a question? The size of the squares how many inches square are they? You see I’m in UK and we have different yarns and yarn weights? Help mommy! I’m a bit worried that if I just guess I’ll make them to big or worse to small.
lt strikes me also there must be a way to tweek the origami to personalise them. Not that they need it. Its just the designer within, pondering…….. Sounds like a knit along in the making, don’t you think?
Very creative and looks comfortable too. Things like this can be a good source of money. You can play with colors to fit your taste. When you become an expert with making these, you can market them and sell slippers in different sizes and colors. Like me, I am in a home improvement business. It starts with passion and everything else follows. A lot of benefits I could say. Keep inspiring!
Thank you thank you I have been lookiing for this slipper pattern since 02 I was so surprised when I found it one morning at 2:20 A.M. on a Saturday. Thank you again. Pam
Hello!!!! I am going to make your norwegian house slippers, but I cant figure out how big i should make the squares for a size 9.5 adult foot. I just did my first felting, which was a test swatch in the bathroom sink, so I don’t have a lot of experience with that yet. any advice you have or a link to a sizing chart would be excellent!!! thanks!!
Melissa :)
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