Crochet  is more fun than knitting in my book. However, I couldn’t find a crochet pattern I liked for felted clog slippers so I went with knitted pattern.

The pattern looked wonky before I felted it, no doubt due to my novice knitting skills. 

To felt, I put the knit slippers into a mesh bag with a clean tennis ball. The bag and ball help the fibers rub together and tangle into felt. I put the mesh bag into my front-loading washer set to hot, and added a little Woolite. The Woolite helps the fibers slip past one another, for more uniform felting. At least that’s what I think it does.

I ended up felting for three 15-minute washer cycles. Depending on the yarn you’re using, it could take shorter or longer.

Make sure you’re using natural wool, and that it’s not marked “superwash.” Other fibers felt much less reliably (synthetics not at all), and superwash wool is manufactured to prevent pilling when washed—which is the opposite of what you want when making a felted item.

The felting ended up hiding my wonky knitting well, and the clogs turned out fine.

While the clogs were air-drying (don’t put in the dryer or they’ll shrink to little doll slippers), I crocheted a leaf pattern and felted those pieces. After the clogs were dry, I sewed on the leaves for a little pizzazz, and added a shearling insole for more cushion.

These worked up relatively quickly, and will likely make appreciated gifts this season. Had leftover yarn, so made a handbag, too.