I wanted to have coffee yesterday with K, because it was her birthday, but she was otherwise occupied, so I spent yesterday afternoon felting to make the materials for the slippers I am making. The picture shows the results. (click to embiggen)

The brown felt is for the soles. I made it from some Shetland moorit top and the reddish-brown is the natural color. I felted only loosly because the felt will be sandwiched between the slipper lining and non-skid material on the outside. I wanted the loose felt, with lots of airspace for insulating warmth and a cushy feel for walking on. I’ve already cut the sole out.

For the slipper upper, I wanted to use some great Targee top because it’s so soft, but I didn’t have enough. So I decided use a grey Wensleydale cross top with a layer of Targee on the outside for softness. But when the felt dried, the Targee shrunk more and the Wensleydale released its natural waviness and sheen. I decided that I liked the look of the Wensleydale more, so that will be the outside.

I feel so lucky to live within driving distance of Woodland Wool Works!

I’m lining the slippers with a black, non-pilling velour. I’ll post a pic when they are finished.

But tonight I’ll be crocheting wreaths and candy canes as I don’t have much longer to get those finished. Crochet is good for watching TV, and tonight The Legend Of Earthsea starts on The Sci Fi Channel.

I finished putting Farrah’s name on her stocking just in time! I was actually asked to put it on both sides, but hopefully one side will be sufficient. I can add the other side after Christmas. And maybe straighten out the “h”. I’m not very happy with the way that came out. Actually, I’m not very happy with the whole thing. But hopefully M and Farrah will be happy with it — that’s what’s important.

As always, click on the picture to embiggen.

Lest anyone think all I do is work and then sit around and bitch about politics and play video games (like I wish that was all I had to do), this is a pic of some ornaments that I’m crocheting for my colleagues at work. It’s something of a tradition for me to pass out hand-made ornaments as Christmas gifts to the folks at the office. (click on the picture to embiggen)

So, if you work with me, STOP LOOKING!

Originally I planned to make a candy cane ornament for everyone. But the candy canes take twice as long because I have to crochet two twists: One red and one white. For the wreaths, I only have to do one green twist. Most people are going to get wreaths, probably, because I don’t have enough time to do the candy canes. This candy cane is for my coffee lady, who insisted I make one for her.

The candy canes are taking about 1 hour each, start to finish, and the wreaths take about 40 minutes. (I need to make about 15 or so.)

I used Lion Homespun in Country for the wreaths. The candy canes are made from some generic 4-ply worsted weight that has been in my yarn basket for years and long ago lost its label.

The pattern is mine, and I don’t mind sharing. Click on the link below if you are interested.