Felted slippers.

 The evenings are getting colder.

Almost time to start the fire.

Time to think of getting the flannel sheets on the bed and digging out the wool doona.

Time for making comfy warm slippers.

 I have a pile of Vintage Hues by Cleckheaton 

I bought it for $1 a ball from Kmart a couple of years ago.

The pattern doesn't have great reviews on Ravelry but I gave it a try anyway.

I figured many who had tried to make this pattern 

may have confused the English crochet Terms with the American ones.

And I think I was right.

Because for me the pattern worked perfectly.

 A couple of turns in the wash and here they are.

I did take them out a couple of times to get the size right.

 

 These are lovely and thick and should keep my feet toasty this winter.

Pattern: Felted Slippers

Yarn: Vintage Hues by Cleckheaton

Hook: 6.5mm

Time taken: One evening and one afternoon.

Cost: 3 balls @ $1 = $3

Wool Toys & Friends Step-by-step Instructions For Needle-felting Fun

 I've spent the day happily playing with fibre!

I've had so much fun, apart from stabbing myself numerous times.

 Meet my two new creations.

The pixie and the sock monkey.

Both were made following the instructions from the book I bought in Port Pirie yesterday.

 The kids are arguing about whether this little fellow is a gnome or an elf.

He's supposed to be a pixie.

Wool Toys & Friends By Laurie Sharp

Hardback published by Creative Publishing 2010

I bought my copy at Meg's Bookshop in Port Pirie

It's available at the Book Depository  for less than I paid.

The Book Depository offers free world wide shipping too.

(I get no kick-back, although I should apply to be an affiliate)

I didn't have to wait for my copy to arrive and I like to support real life book shops if I can.

There are 15 didfferent projects in the book.

Most are needle felted and a few wet felted.

There are some trace off patterns at the back of the book.

The instuctions were very clear and step by step as the title says.

I really like the selection of projects.

Many are perfect for using in the classroom and at bedtime as props, when reading to children.

The fingers puppets are on my must do list and will make wonderful Christmas presents.

The supplies mentioned at the back are all American.

If you are looking for needle felting supplies I can recommend:

Suzanne's House of Wool for fibres

Ali at Craft Alley stock felting needles

Mandy at Ewe Give Me The Knits stocks felting needles and fibers

All the above I have bought from and been very happy with the service and products.

Needle Felted Butterflies

I tried something new.
I bought a kit from Ewe Give Me The Knits.
The kit is made By Ashford and contains all you need to make these butterflies.
There was actually a lot more Corriedale wool sliver than needed so I have some extra to play with!


These little beauties didn't take long to make at all.

They have brooch pins on the back.

I find kits a really good way of having a go at something new.
Everything you need is in there so saves you trying to figure it all out for yourself.

Some Web Links to needle felting tutorials:

The Silver Penny
Video and downloadable PDF

Needle Felt a Doll - Black Sheep Designs
3D needle felting

Needle Felt a Lady Bird
3D needle felting

A selection of videos
For those of us who are visual learners

Felted Pictures

Fern and I made a felted picture.
Following the instructions from HERE

It was fun to do but did take a bit of effort.
A good activity to do if you have some built up energy to get rid of.
Lots of rubbing and rolling.

Fern did most of the embroidery herself onto the felt.
I think she's getting addicted to felting, we now have a lot of felted beads.

Felted Beads

The girls and I had some fun before dinner tonight.
We made some felted beads from wool.
We used the directions from the Knitty site.

We'll make a few more and then we have to wait for them to dry so we can string them.
These were easy enough for Lilly to make.

We're planning on making some felted pictures next.

Many years ago I did a workshop with the ladies of the Tennant Creek branch of the Craft council. We had a visiting felt artist, Joy Manly, come and teach us. It was a lot of fun.
I really miss our little crafting group.
Being so isolated we had to inspire each other and take advantage of every opportunity to learn new skills.
We regularly met on a Wednesday night and chatted and crafted. Most of us worked on our own crafts. We had quilters, crocheters, lead lighters, potters, silk painters, most crafts really.
I miss you girls so much!
And as much as I was eager to leave Tennant, I really miss it and it will always be home.

New toys!

Thanks to the Australian Govt. I had some extra money to play with this week. I bought myself a skeiner and ball winder from The Wool Shack. Here's the the link. Their service was awesome! my goodies arrived in the week! I was inspired to wind wool into skeins for dying and skeins into balls for knitting. I'm really impressed how much faster and easier these tools make the job.



I have a commission for some custom sea themed longies. I've dyed the wool and I'm pretty happy with the results :)



and lastly ...... my first attempt at deliberate felting. It still needs it's zip and the embellishment sewn down. I'm pretty happy with it. I hope the recipiant is too :)