Want to join our Crochet-A-Long?? Starts March 1

[Morgana LaFey]

It's a cybergroup, temporary in nature, where people decide to crochet the same thing, and come together to discuss it, problem solve (if necessary), provide general support and comeraderie, etc. Oh, and celebrate (and share) the results!

This is the thread where we originally discussed the idea:
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=390x34

and this is the link to the slippers and instructions:

http://www.ipbolaget.com/users/ce03922/slippers.html

We can go ahead and start discussing the yarns and so forth we're each going to use, or anything else we want.

Oh, and just because we say it "starts" on March 1 doesn't mean latecomers aren't welcome -- they most definitely are.

So, who's in??

[Bjornsdotter]

1. Sounds like fun

.....I think I'll be able to squeeze it in.

Cheers

[Longhorn]

2. I'm in!

I just won some suede yarn on ebay. How do you think that would work? I'm sure it will take some adjustment on the instructions but it sounded like it might be good material for slippers. Any opinions?

[Morgana LaFey]

3. Now that's an interesting idea!

I don't happen to know the fiber content of most suedes, but it sure is an interesting idea. I'd say go for it!

I'm trying to decide what to use. I'd love to use wool, and maybe felt them up a bit, but I don't have a lot of wool and don't want to go buy something for this. I'll probably just go with some acrylic worsted weight I've got.

[Arkansas Granny]

12. Since the pattern uses the measurement of your foot instead

of a certain number of stitches, I think you could probably use any kind or weight of yarn you wanted as long as you used the correct size of hook to give you a firm stitch.

[Morgana LaFey]

4. Okay, we've got a few people. More will join. What yarn are you using?

Do you know yet? I'm thinking about just some acrylic worsted weight in black, and dark cinnamon and maybe a third color (not sure what).

The really cool thing about this pattern is that you can use any weight yarn you want. So it's wide open.

On another topic, I think you can buy some stuff (where?? fabric store?) that you can use on the bottoms to make them non-skid when you're done. Anyone know anything about that?

[Bjornsdotter]

5. When my kids were little

....I used to use the puffy fabric paint on the bottoms of their slippers and thick socks that they wore like slippers. It worked great.

Cheers

[Morgana LaFey]

6. Very cool. Thanks. I presume that's a fabric store item --

or maybe craft store too?

[Bjornsdotter]

7. Both stores

....it's located by the fabric paints in the squeeze bottles. For some reason the brand name escapes me at the moment. I think it's called Tulip Fabric paint.

Cheers

[Morgana LaFey]

8. Thanks. I'll definitely get some. Though there's another idea

I thought I'd post about.

I was going through my yarn catalogs last night, trying to get rid of the older ones (but NOT before one final review), and I noticed that KnitPicks.com has some sew-on suede slipper bottoms -- here they are:

http://www.knitpicks.com/tools/tools_list.aspx?searchType=Category&categories='4243'&titleType=Tools&titleName=Slipper+Bottoms

Not a bad price, but I think I'll go with the puffy paint and keep these hin mind.

Now there are also slipper soles that are one piece, like you see on those commercially available slippers that have cuffs up around the ankles. There are patterns for those, too. Those don't seem quite as appropriate for these little crocheted slippers, tho. But they ARE available.

Thanks again for the info.

[Morgana LaFey]

9. I've decided on my yarn. Anyone else?

I'm going to use regular ole Red Heart worsted weight acrylic -- in black -- for the soles. I have some on hand, and I love the idea of black soles that won't show the dirt (ever!), LOL.

And then I'm going to use some multi-color Jiffy that seems nice and warm for the rest. It's dark teal, dark fuschia and dark navy/purple (can't decide which). I had it for another project which was a disaster.

I love this pattern, and to me it look fast. If it goes well I'd like to make more and THEY will be in wool. I think it'd be a cool gift too. I think even my DH would like some of these.

I keep kicking this so we can maybe get a few more people.

[knitter4democracy]

15. I've got black Wool-Ease that would work.

It'll be for soldiers, so things need to be kept to military colors, black being the biggie. I have some desert camo acrylic for stripes, though.

I might start these tonight for a break.

[Bjornsdotter]

11. You're welcome!

....I didn't realize they still made those bottoms. As a kid I had tons of slippers with those bottoms.

Cheers

[knitter4democracy]

10. What a nice pattern! I'm in!

I've been thinking of starting another crochet project. That'll be a good one to try. Maybe I'll make mine to donate and send to a female soldier who needs a touch of home and comfort so far away.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. Sending those to soldiers sounds like a great idea!

Those look like they would work up pretty fast and give you an opportunity to use up those small amounts of yarn leftover from other projects.

[knitter4democracy]

16. I hope so. My crochet is pretty limited.

That's why I want to make these--get my crochet skills better. They look like such a nice pattern.

[Arkansas Granny]

14. I'm in. I'll probably be using a worsted weight acrylic yarn since

I probably have enough in my stash or leftover from other projects to make several pair.

[Longhorn]

17. Well, my first attempt didn't go so well.

I thought I'd start tonight because I don't know when I'll have time again. I'm using the Lion Suede, which is a compact chenille -- very soft and easy to work with but certainly thicker than "normal" yarn. I started off with a size K hook and switched to a size J for the sides because it didn't seem to be turning. Even then, the sides didn't turn up right. I only did two rounds on the sole because three rounds was way too big. But as I worked on the sides, it seemed to be going out instead of up.

I've never really made anything like this before. Should I use a smaller hook? I even thought about doing single crochets instead of doubles to compensate for the thicker yarn. This yarn will make great slippers if I can find the right combination!

P.S. I can wait until others get started for your advice. :)

[Morgana LaFey]

18. I'm hoping experienced crocheters will chime in here

(I'm not one), but as I think about this pattern and even look again at the photos at the link, I'm thinking that what gives them the shape is probably the crochet edging and esp. the part that goes across the toes. I just don't think they're automatically 3-dimensional.

What does anyone else -- a real crocheter -- say??

And if I'm right, I wonder how one could modify the pattern so you could make real sides that go up???

[Arkansas Granny]

19. I think that the edging and the part across the toes will give the

slipper a lot of shape. I haven't tried the pattern yet, but my guess is that you could do a decrease every now and then on the turning round if the sides seem to be not straight sided enough, especially if you are using a yarn with a lot of give to it. If you alter the pattern be sure to make a note of it so you can duplicate it on the other slipper.

[suninvited]

20. Can anybody join in?

I am brand new around here. Years ago I belonged to a crochet group, back in the early days of AOL (in fact, I think I was using AOL 2.0 then) and we had a lot of fun.

I was really excited to find this group on DU, which I have read for some time, but I am not a big poster so haven't even joined DU till I stumbled upon this group.

Not sure if I can be ready to start in two days, but would probably be ready after this weekend. I live a bit remote, so it takes a while to get to any store (besides the WAL place, which I don't shop at). Never know, I might find what I need in my yarn bag, it shouldn't take a lot.

Anybody ever used the Lions Wool, and washed it to felt it? I never have, but I was looking at it recently and thinking about trying it.

Linda

:crazy:

[Arkansas Granny]

21. It looks like it's open to anyone who wants to join, even late-comers.

You can check the OP for details. This is the first time I've ever joined a CAL.

The pattern doesn't look like it will require much yarn. I'm going to look through my stash for some complimentary colors for my first pair. If they turn out I'll probably make a few more pair for family and friends.

[Longhorn]

23. Welcome to DU!

We'd love to have you in the CAL! And don't worry about when you jump in. I'm sure we'll all be working at different paces but it will still be helpful to read others' comments even a week or two later if that's when we get to a certain point.

Have fun! :hi:

[Morgana LaFey]

24. Well, no -- not just anybody. Only special people,

Like YOU (and anyone else who wants to!!!!)

Welcome to DU and I'm flattered you joined because of this group. That's great.

And sure -- join whenever you want and can. Latecomers are ALWAYS welcome.

[suninvited]

25. Thank you so much

for the welcome. I think it is very exciting to find a group of progressive thinkers that also share the same hobbies I do!

:party:

I look forward to seeing how all the slippers turn out, and to working on mine.

[Longhorn]

22. Thanks for the tips.

I thought about decreasing -- I'll try again. I found another pattern that is specifically for the suede so I thought I might use something else for the CAL. I'm used to patterns that actually tell you which yarn, how much, which needle, how many stitches, etc. But I'm looking forward to the challenge of these more general directions. :)

[Morgana LaFey]

26. Okay, folks -- should we start a new thread, or just continue here?

I'm agnostic on the subject. Whadyall think? TOMORROW is official start day, but we may have straggles and that's just fine. I suppose we ought to also have an "official" end date -- tho nothing needs to be written in stone about that either. Shall we say end of March? Or -- ??

[Bjornsdotter]

27. I was just thinking the same thing

...I vote for start a new thread, especially now that the focus will be on our progress.

Cheers


edit for spelling....doh!

[Longhorn]

28. Sounds good to me.

How about including a link to this thread in the OP so that anyone who still wants to join can read what we've already discussed.

I should have some time this weekend, too, because my husband and visiting son will be skiing in Colorado. :)

[Bjornsdotter]

29. Hi

:hi:

How was the wedding? We are all dying to see pics and to hear all about it.

Cheers

[Longhorn]

30. Howdy!

It was absolutely fantastic! Very, very windy for the outdoor ceremony but a warm, dry wind that didn't hurt anything. There were no outdoor decorations since the location itself was very scenic -- under a gazebo and giant oak trees on the shore of Town Lake in downtown Austin. Everything else went perfectly. They were married by a Democratic judge in a ceremony that they compiled. The food was outstanding. Everyone had fun dancing, even the grandparents. I just can't imagine it going any better. I even had fun and I expected to be so busy and stressed that I wouldn't be able to relax and enjoy. :)

I promise I'll put up some pics as soon as I can. It's been a busy, tiring week. I'm the only one who ended up wearing on the of the wraps I crocheted. One daughter left hers at her sister's house and then it was so warm that we really didn't need them. I don't even have a picture of one of the black wraps. I'll have to ask the Austin daughter to bring hers out one day so I can get a picture.

The bride and her husband leave Saturday on a cruise out of Galveston to the Western Caribbean.

Thanks so much for thinking about me! Now we're all excited about the next wedding, exactly two months from today! :bounce:

[Bjornsdotter]

31. I'm so glad

...everything went well. :bounce: It's such a stressful time and emotions run high. Kudos to you, for being able to enjoy yourself....THAT is an accomplishment to be proud of.

Well, even if they didn't use the wraps I'm sure they will have use for them in the future. Things like that never go out of style and it's a great heirloom to pass down.

OMG, another wedding...you must have nerves of steel. Is it for another daughter?

No rush on the pictures, whenever you can. I still have to get some of my pictures up....I am so good at procrastinating it should be an Olympic event.

Cheers

[Longhorn]

33. Her twin sister is getting married next.

They're identical twins but they have chosen very different weddings. The first married a first-generation Chinese-American and her wedding was on the formal side with a white gown and tuxes. The second is marrying a young man from Israel. Theirs will be a sort of Jewish-Texas barbecue held at a vineyard. I doubt she'll need any wraps in late April in Texas, though. :)

Our son is a Marine stationed in Japan who gets out later this year. He has been dating a Japanese girl but no plans for marriage yet. Our oldest daughter lives in Denver with her boyfriend (a plain old white guy from Iowa! ;)) and they're headed toward a wedding but maybe not for a few years.

Both girls liked the wraps and one wore hers Friday night after the rehearsal dinner so I do think they'll get some use.

[Morgana LaFey]

32. NEW THREAD STARTED TODAY

Link: http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=390x915