Tuesday 22 August 2017

Tøfler

Have you ever heard of Arne and Carlos? You haven't? Well, let me tell you that they are two Swedish guys who love knitting and write books with lots of great patterns, for lots of different things like dolls or tøfler. And that is Norwegian for slippers. 

Before I started with Mice for Mama, I had bought the doll book (I tried, too fiddly) and the slipper book. Mainly inspired by the sister of a colleague (who I actually never met, but the colleague spoke highly of her and her experiences in 'toving' or felting), I thought I might give the slippers a go. I even bought some wool to give it a try. I never got around to do it though. 

Until I started Mice for Mama that is. After weeks and weeks of working on other things (ie the books) and knitting mice (did you know you can even place an order for favourite colours?), I thought that I might try and diversify and knit something else as well. But fit for Mice for Mama!

Before they were washed and with the heads unfilled
So, one afternoon I got out the book (remember it's in Norwegian), the wool and then started hunting for my sock needles. I found lots of them, but not in the size in wanted. Of course! But, in the end I managed to locate the right quintet and off I went. The first thing I noticed was how hard it actually was on my hands. I am a loose knitter and that caused me to use the smallest size possible for the wool's thickness, so as not to make something that doesn't work. 

After a while though, I got the hang of it and tried to follow the instructions. Which were simple and easy and totally understandable. Before I knew it, I had the heel done (the trickiest part) and then the rest of the slipper. It looked good as well, albeit a bit big (it's the smallest size slipper). I then went on to make the second slipper, which was even easier, since I now knew what to do. 

But I wasn't done there yet! Because the slippers have to be fit for Mice for Mama and that means that mice have to be included. So, off I went to find my thin felting wool and some knitting needles. Which proved tricky, since I have every size under the sun, expect the one I needed. In the end I found one that was nearly there (only a quarter off) and they turned out to be perfect. 

The slippers weren't ready then. They needed to be washed and so do the mousies' heads. They are washed at a higher temperature than should be used for wool (40 instead of 30 degrees) and that means shrinkage! Which is exactly what is supposed to happen. After they had dried out, I stuffed the heads and sewed them to the slippers. But, to me it doesn't look good. Well, not good enough anyway. I will have to come up with another solution!

12 comments:

  1. Hari OM
    Oh these are an exciting idea and a great addition to the M4M arena - I am certain you will work out the 'squeaks'!!! YAM xx

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    1. They are a great idea, but the heads don't work. They wobble around too much and are just too big. I will have to work on them and see what can be done!

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    2. Hari Om
      Maybe a 'flatpak' version, appliqued on??? Yxx

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    3. ...just realised Pepperfly said the same but different! Yx

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  2. Het ziet er leuk uit, maar ik kan me voorstellen dat dat gewobbel niet echt fijn loopt. Misschien iets meer 2D maken en dan vastmaken aan de slof?

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    1. Ja, ik moet er eens goed mee gaan worstelen. Het idee is op zich wel goed, maar ik denk dat 2D inderdaad iets beter zal werken. Maar hoe? Iets voor na mijn vakantie...

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  3. Oh my meesees those are A DOR ABLE!!!
    WE are not familiar with Arne and Carlos thank you for the intro.
    Hugs Madi and mom

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  4. You must have a lot of patience. Our Oma used to make crochet slippers for everyone. I know how to knit but prefer crocheting, and have made many big blankets. I had to stop because of carpal tunnel problems with my hands. Keep up the good work!

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    1. Well, I like doing things. And if I have nothing in my hands at night, I feel lazy!

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  5. Glad you are trying something new. They look cute!!

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Any weighty (and not so weighty) comments are welcome!