Thursday, May 29, 2014

why i love craft

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This is why I love craft.

These two slippers began as two balls of yarn. One ball, the purply one, I bought from two women at the Bendigo Sheep and Wool show two years ago. I didn't love the feel of it and I didn't love the colour of it, but I did love the concept. That ball of yarn was called WOOLI by Nikki Gabriel and was a recycled blend of factory fibre waste: wool, alpaca, silk, cashmere and possum.  I just had to try some out and see how it knitted up.

The second was given to me by my friend and local shop-keeper Merrilyn. A Debbie Bliss chunky tweed made from merino and angora. I did love the look and feel of this speckley, lumpy gorgeous bluey-greeny yarn but had no idea what it would eventually become.

Both balls have sat patiently in my wool cupboard for close to two years now for just the right time and just the right project. Over the years I've pulled them out and wondered and considered and stroked them but nothing has felt quite right. Until now.

Until the past few days as we have grown closer to winter, the temperatures have dropped and the icy polished concrete floor in our kitchen has become increasingly difficult to stand on in socks. There's really nothing worse than freezing cold feet and the way the chilly feeling travels up the body making it impossible to relax and warm up.

As the days past I found myself breaking the rules by wearing my boots inside the house and at the same time wondering about a solution that wouldn't cost the crazy price of five new pairs of slippers and wouldn't involve a special trip into Melbourne to purchase them.

And then last Friday I was reading lovely Sophie's blog and it was like she had answered my question before I had even asked it when she shared the link to this fabulous list of slipper patterns. I chose the top pair, scrounged around for some chunky yarn, found those two balls and some 5.5mm needles and cast on.

Apart from a couple of issues with the way it is written, this pattern is simple, quick and so much fun to knit up.

On Monday morning when I walked into the kitchen where my farmer boy was in the middle of relighting the stove fire, stirring the porridge and making our coffee, I found him with the biggest smile on his face. His new slippers were warm, comfy, cushioned and he loved them.

There is no better feeling in the whole wide world than that which is making something for someone you love that they love.

I now have orders for three more pairs plus some for me. And I don't feel so, so bad when I sleep a little late and he's gotten it all warm and toasty in the house before my feet hit the floor.

Craft makes me happy.

Stay warm and cozy lovely people, I hope you get the chance to love what you make and make what you love.

xx


24 comments:

  1. When I saw them I though- you will be making at least 4 more pairs of those. Xx

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  2. No wonder everyone wants a pair, they're gorgeous!! Love that blue green colour, so happy you found the perfect project for it. Crafting is really so ace, I can't think of a better way to spend time than creating something lovely for the ones we love. Have a great day! (stay warm!) :) Julie x

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  3. I absolutely love them - my favourite colour. I'm relatively new to knitting but I'm definitely going to put a pair of those on my 'To Do' list. x

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  4. You are clever Kate, stay warm x

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  5. Don't tell your farmers boy but I thought they were booties and thought they were adorable. Must be the angle of the photo as I thought it was a close up of small booties....to discover they are man size slippers even better. I'm sure all your household will be sporting these shortly. Great job. Regards Kathy A, Brisbane, Australia

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  6. Lovely. I remember having a pair of hand knitted slippers when I was a kid. The bottom was made from sheepskin though and the rest knitted.

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  7. Are you taking orders, Kate? ;) x

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  8. Hurray for warm feet! :) I will travel to Canada this summer and plan to make crochet shoes for the plane and hostel stays to keep me warm!
    Take care
    Anne
    http://crochetbetweentwoworlds.blogspot.de

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  9. Very clever, nothing like a good pair of slippers!

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  10. It really is magical, isn't it? I always feel a thrill when I hold a completed item in my hands, marvelling at the fact that it used to be a bunch of wool and some needles, once upon a time.

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  11. crafting with love .... perfect x

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  12. Beautiful colors. I went through my yarn supply recently and repurposed a bunch of yarn I had purchased for one project only to discover it had been waiting for something else of a different nature to be created.

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  13. They look great Kate. I can just imagine how cold it is at your place atm as it is getting quite cold here at night now. I think I might have to knit some slippers too to keep my feet toasty warm on the tiles. Putting on the heater doesnt seem to warm them up at night and it seems to get so stuffy in the house when it is on.

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  14. oh lovely! I'm always drawn to that kind of chunky, bubbly yarn, love texture but never know what to do with it. checking out the pattern now! xxSarah

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  15. They're brilliant! I'm desperately hoping to get back into spinning wool this winter, as I've just been sent some lovely fleece. My wheel needs a service, but some oil should do the trick. Maybe these slipper can be the first pattern I ever follow.

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  16. Gorgeous! My book arrived yesterday, '201 Knitting Motifs, Blocks, Projects and Ideas' . I'm planning on knitting a blanket with the blocks and also some of the smaller projects. The perfect winter craft. You have inspired me Kate, and it makes me happy knitting away. Thank you. Happy weekend. xxoo

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  17. I love the blue especially! And as one who doesn't care much for summer here, your post made me feel all warm and cozy and long for autumn to hurry up and get here.

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  18. Craft makes me happy too - makes hubby grumpy as it means I don't do the cleaning!!! Stay snug x

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  19. I have been sneaking peaks into your world on and off for the last couple of months; I found your blog after buying your book for my daughter. I am not sure what made me comment today - perhaps it is the shared joy of making something for someone you love, and discovering that they love it, too, and love you for making it. I just want you to know how much I appreciate your words and photos - they bring me joy, and make me examine my own life. Thank you for sharing your thoughts and emotions. I live on the opposite side of the world, bustling about and buying shrink-wrapped produce from the grocery store for the one child I still have at home, but I feel a kinship with you. Bless you and your family.

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  20. I would be just as pleased as your hubby if I was given a pair of beautiful hand made knitted slippers like that. I start to get a sore throat standing in our very cold kitchen if I don't wear my uggs.

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  21. The first thing I ever knitted from a pattern, aged 11, was a pair of slippers; and I haven't stopped since. I made a pair for everyone in my family. Crafting is so...delicious! Crafters are such nice people and although I don't have a blog myself, I do feel a part of the online crafting community.

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  22. Hi Kate,I too loved the slippers and started a pair. Doing ok until I reached the instep, rows 3 and 5.Don't get it ? Could you possibly tell me what you did, please, as I would love to finish them. Yours look great! Really enjoy your blog, it's so different.
    Yours hopefully, Carol Partridge.

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  23. Hi Kate....it's ok...I get it now. Not written out very clear is it? Ha ha, nearly finished the first slipper. Looking good!

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Thanks so much for stopping by...

I do read every single comment you leave and appreciate it very much, but I should let you know that I can be a wee bit on the useless side when replying to comments, that's just me, everyday life sometimes gets in the way....so I'll apologise now, just in case.

Kate XX

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