Blends Challenge #2: The Results!

I apologize for taking so long with the results... it's been a busy week! Ready for some results?


Contestant #1 - funky patterned hoodie - 60% wools
Before & after:


Definitely felted some! I'm glad, because this one has great stripes & patterns.


Contestant #2- scenery patterned - 60% wools
Before & after:


This one did not felt, which surprised me. Maybe another run through a hot wash would do it, but no dice on this round!

Contestant #3 - cream fair isle - 63% wools
Before & after:


Felted!

Contestant #4 - yellow cabled - 65% wools
Before & after:


Felted!

Contestant #5 - pretty green & white stripes - 60% wools
Before & after:


Felted! I love how soft & dense this one is! Would make some great slippers!

Contestant #6 - lovely lavender - 65% wools



Felted!

Contestant #7- patterned mohair - 51% wools
Before & after:


Didn't felt :(. I can't say I was surprised on this one.

Contestant #8- light green - 65% wools
Before & after:


Felted!


Contestant #9 - bright turquoise - 55% wools
Before & after:


Felted!

Contestant #10- tan with chest stripes - 52% wools
Before & after:


This one was already lightly felted when I started, and it felted a little bit more.

So 8 out of 10 felted... not bad! I'm going to give those other 2 another chance to felt, the next time I hot wash a batch of sweaters.

It's What I've Been Working on Wednesday!

Remember these slippers by any chance? I made these last year from some thick merino, and some alpaca... heaven to my feet (link to slippers tutorial here)! To combat our slippery hardwood floors, I had added some pieces from the bottoms of my son's outgrown & holey non-skid socks (read more about that here).



Little did I know, those slippers were going to be my favorites, and I would wear them every single day for hours at a time. I didn't think of the inevitable... wearing them out! :(



Once holes appeared I knew I had to put something more than wool on the bottom, if I wanted to wear them every day. I found this sweater, and knew that the suede pockets would be perfect!



I seam ripped the pockets & elbow patches off of it, and hand sewed them to the bottoms of the slippers... much better!



Now they should last a while!

So, what have you been working on?

Happy New Year & Some resolutions

Happy New Year! Welcome to 2012! With a new year comes resolutions. This year I have a personal resolution, as well as a professional one, and they kind of go together.

My personal resolution is to streamline my house, and get rid of everything we don't use or love. I found this decluttering calendar online, which I thought was brilliant... a simple task for each day of the year. I have also been utilizing Freecycle lately to get rid of things we no longer need, but are still very useful to others. I will work at this slowly throughout the year.

My professional Resweater resolution is to concentrate more on my blogging, creating tutorials, and making useful things for our household/family/friends, and less on making things for shows to sell. I want to also spend more time listing sweaters in my shop, so I always have a fresh selection. Because of this, I would like to scale down my personal stash of sweaters, and felted scraps, and will be putting together some great mystery boxes in the next week!

On a completely random note, our power was out for several hours this morning, so that meant no heat. We just threw on slippers, and extra sweaters, but Spots was cold too. Though I usually only put her sweaters on her for going outdoors, I realized it would be a good idea until the power came back on. She got excited when she saw it, stuck her head right in when I held it out, and looked so relieved when she had it on. So, use #25653 for recycled wool... keeping dogs warm when the power goes out ;).

It's Feature Friday! Fibers and Twigs

Christmas is approaching fast! What better gifts to give than handmade ones, and made from recycled wool! At Fibers and Twigs Etsy shop, you can find patterns to great slippers, mittens, fingerless mittens, and more! While you're at it, make sure to check out Jan's blog, You Make it Simple, for more fun!

lambswool, lambswool, lambswool!

Tomorrow's Sweater Sunday theme will be.... yep, you guessed it, lambswool! Lambswool is soft, and fuzzy, like a teddy bear. Lambswool is probably the best type of sweater for making diaper covers. It's thicker than most merino, and is still very soft, making it a great choice for things worn against the skin. When lambswool is lighly felted, it remains stretchy & pliable, great for diaper covers, baby pants, hats, blankets, and more. When heavily felted, it becomes stiff, but is still very soft, making it great for slippers, cozies, purses, and more. Any questions about lambswool?

Merino, merino, merino!

In tomorrow's Sweater Sunday post all the sweaters will be 100% merino wool, so I thought i'd post some facts & information about merino sweaters for those who are not familiar.

The average merino sweater is thin and super soft. Merino is smoother, and less fuzzy, than most wools. Most people who feel they can't wear wool because it is "too itchy", can tolerate merino because of it's softness.


Merino is the softest type of sheep's wool. Merino is excellent for diaper covers, because of it's softness, but generally needs 2 layers if they are thinner. I like to use them as the inside layer for diaper covers, or double them up.


Because of it's softness & stretchiness, as long as it's not overly felted, merino is great for waistbands, hat bands, mittens & liners for mittens, leg warmers, clothing, and so much more.


When merino is heavily felted, it is similar in density & texture to craft felt, so it is great for appliques, slippers, purses, and more.


Merino has the same properties as all wool... naturally moisture wicking, hypoallergenic, fire retardant, insulated, and just plain fabulous! Merino wool is commonly used in higher end running clothes for these reasons, and because it is thin & smooth.


There's not much merino can't do!

Any questions? :)