Dec 10th, 2009
Free lunch: Footwear
This sock pattern is touted as something “for men,” but really, anyone could wear diamonds in their shoes.
Here are some knitted slippers made with sock yarn, knitted slippers made with chunky yarn, a whole family’s worth of knitted-and-fulled slippers, and cute duck slippers for wee toes.
These Tatami Socks (from Judy Sumner’s Knitted Socks East and West) can be found on the Storque (Etsy’s handmade blog), where you can either download a PDF (look for the link in the introductory paragraphs) or follow the instructions right on the page. Most sock patterns strike me as too “fussy,” but I do like these and may give them a try soon.
These yoga socks are intended to warm your feet while leaving your toes and heels free for gripping. I wonder if the knitted surface would raise your toes from the mat just enough for them to lose their gripability. I also wonder how slippery these socks themselves would be–or if they’d be a good solution for people who get sweaty (and slippery) feet during their practice.
I know that legwarmers aren’t technically footwear, but legs are attached to feet, so I figure that’s close enough. These legwarmers have a lovely cable detail (from a scarf that’s been on my to-knit list forever…). And here are some super stretchy legwarmers knit out of worsted weight yarn (which means that if you want to knit some as a holiday gift, if you get cracking right now you might actually get them done on time).
And finally, just in time for the holiday season, elf shoes. The pattern sizes range from infant to adult, so you’ll definitely find one to suit your needs. Why should all the cute knitted shoes be for kids only? Adults need some elf-shoe goodness, too!
(Every time I come across a cute pattern for felted slippers, I think, “They look fun, but they’d be too slippery on my wood floors.” Suede soles are one solution, but they are outrageously expensive. Here’s a far cheaper solution: use silicone caulk on the soles.)
6 Responses to “Free lunch: Footwear”
Hooray for “free lunch” days!
Those elf shoes are to knit for! Love!
That stuff you can buy to re-rubberize tool handles is supposed to work well on the soles, too.
Of I like the caulk idea! made felted slippers for all three kids for Christmas but haven’t gotten the soles yet. We have wood floors too.
I loev the caulk idea … but I don’t think I can bring myself to do it. Still hoping to find an old suede jacket at the thrift store so I can repurpose.
I love those elf shoes! And one of these days I will knit leg warmers for my girls.
@Chris: Re-rubberize tool handles? I’ve never heard of this stuff. More info, please!