House shoes–a story of hope lost, self-discovery, and ultimate fulfillment
It has probably been apparent to everyone but me for quite some time that my knitterly discussions tend toward the narrative. I was lax about blogging technique, needles, and yarn information even before Ravelry, but such a superb organizational system has freed me from any guilt I might have felt in that regard. (That tagline “everything is tangential” is not just flippancy, you know.)
Today, however, my tale is brief: Grandma wanted slippers–but since we’re talking about my grandma I suppose it is only appropriate that we call them “house shoes” as she does–and I made some for her.
Well, I suppose there is more to it than that. I made a pair for her last winter, and they were so ooogly that I never wanted to make another pair of house shoes in my life.
I know, it’s frightening. Grandma must have been fine with them, though, because she wanted another pair this year. I crocheted a pair, laughably oogly (see below), and gave up. Sorry, Grandma, you’ll have to go to Bell’s.
The two different colors are because I was experimenting with cheap yarn. But it does add to the overall oogly factor quite nicely, don’t you think?
Then I found these, and since then my life has been all blue skies and rainbows. (Oh, come on, like I could ever disappoint my grandma!)
Seriously, though, I love them. A creative and clever pattern, and a great use for stray skeins. I have a feeling that everyone I know is getting a pair for some occasion or another this year. Graduating from college? House shoes! Moving? House shoes! Getting married? House shoes! Being related to me? House shoes!
They even look a little bit like real shoes (outside shoes? out-of-house shoes? ), thus bringing the “house shoe” concept to even fuller fulfillment than I could have ever hoped or dreamed.
(I wonder if Grandma’s noticed that they look like jet skis when flat? Probably.)
Oh, and I made a pair for me too.
My Rav details here and here. But, um, don’t expect needle sizes or anything
So I guess I did manage to make a story out of house shoes.
And obviously I am highly entertaining in real life as well.
ETA: DH, upon reading this post: “You know, if people didn’t know you and they read your blog they might think you were sweet and nice.”
Um, what exactly does one need to do to get on that list again?
That pattern has been in my Ravelry queue for a little while – but you have encouraged me to get on a pair real quick like!
Good find! The ones you made for your grandma are quite pretty as house shoes go, and I love the way you’ve got the variegated striping going on yours.
You shouldn’t have said that thing about the jet skis, because now that’s all I see when I look at them. Miniature soft jet skis! For feet!
I’ve totally been wanting to knit these. They look fantastic! I love the flower you added. Is it knit or crochet?
I am thinking the definition of a good blogger is someone who gets me to read a post about house slippers.
They look super comfy and cute.
oooh, I’ve been wanting to knit these. They look so cute!
[...] anyone in a similar situation would do: headed off to buy some acrylic! But my grandmother (she of house shoe fame) is in a nursing home for a bit, and so I am going to try my hand yet again at some crocheted house [...]