French Press Slippers - ooh la la....

Hooray, I finished my first pair of French Press Felted Slippers! I do like how they came out, but of course have some comments.

The sizing, for one. I have a size 9 foot, which fit the "large" catagory on the pattern. I think next time I would probably knit the medium and "shape" (euphamism for "stretch") them into fitting. I think my pair is a little loose, but they still fit. I also had to felt them FOUR TIMES in the wash to get them to shrink enough! So next time, I'd do a medium size and less felting. I think all that extra felting makes them less homogenous in texture. Look at how large the slipper sections are before felting! It's amazing they remotely fit!

Also - the pattern was rediculously clear in some aspects (like showing photos of the slipper pieces before felting) but then very unclear on other key aspects - like how to assemble the damn pieces into the actual slipper.

But - I do still like how they came out in the end. I used PCW (Patons Classic Wool) for them. I put some fabric paint on the bottom for a bit of traction, since I was sliding all over our floors with these! Even though I didn't find the instructions stellar (or any of the chat room discussions about this project on Ravelry), I do still think they make a really cute pair of slippers!

In other news - DH and I made home-made onion rings (home-made starting from buying the onions at the store - no we don't grow our own produce... yet...) and they were out of this world fantastic. You must try them, assuming you have a French Oven pot and candy thermometer on hand. And a quart of vegetable oil.

Wrapping Up A Few Loose Ends...

Now that DH has his own "man-cave" in our basement, he's been spending a lot of time there playing video games on his new mega-TV and relaxing in his recliner. Although these two [dare I call them] "design elements" have made him really enjoy this windowless, solitary, subterranean region of the house, he's been commenting on how it's cold in the basement and that he could really use a pair of knit socks to stay warm. I origianlly responded "well, you don't wear the first sock I made you, so why would I knit a second?", but I was the only one who chuckled. Although the basement is partially heated, it is too cold for me to stay long in the man-cave, so the though of DH shivering in the basement was enough motivation for me to complete the pair of socks I started for him over a year ago. Recall this project stalled out due to Second Sock Syndrome somewhere in early 2009. So I finished them and here they are! For socks I generally use the Yankee Sock Pattern, and just knit the leg portion in a K2P2 rib so they stay snug. Note that is DH's hairy leg, not mine. Even Kevin, from "Brothers and Sisters" on TV, is looking back at how nice they came out!

I also finished the baby blanket! I'm very happy with how it finished up. I do admit it was long and a bit boring to knit with all that stockinette stitch, but it's worth it for our bun in the oven. I feel happy and satisfied that I knit the blanket, a hat, and booties for him, and I think now I can go on to other projects!

Like the French Press Slippers I've been working on! This link is to the pattern on an etsy site. I'll have more on this project next time. My LYS is having their annual Superbowl Sale this weekend, so I plan to get some buttons this weekend to finish this project off. I'm heading to the sale with a list of upcoming projects I'd like to do, and their yarn requirements, so I hope to make it a productive, yet thrifty trip! We'll see how it works out! (Recall I still haven't used all that Manos that I bought last year, but I know it'll come in handy any time now....)