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Your Chance to Own a Barabara Walker Original

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barbara walker mosaic skirtI meant to post about this the last round but I completely forgot about it, but Schoolhouse Press has been running a series of online auctions (the one happening now is the second of three) in which they are auctioning off original knits designed and hand-knit by Barbara Walker (of the Treasuries of Knitting Patterns fame, among other excellent books).

Most of the garments were made for her book Knitting from the Top and use motifs from the treasuries. They’re beautiful just to look at, but it would also be amazing to own one of these bits of knitting history.

They were knit by Barbara for herself, so most of the sweaters range from 30 to 40 chest circumference and the skirts are about 25 inches as the waist. But even if you couldn’t wear the garment, it would be great for a collector!

I hope even if you don’t want to bid on them (starting bids are $50; the most spectacular pieces were already up to $200 plus with five days to go last time I checked) it’s certainly worth giving the look book (PDF) a look!

[Photo via Schoolhouse Press.]

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Comments

  2. I would love to have this skirt. It would be simply smashing with a coordinated blouse and jacket. I would be pleased and honored to add this lovely garment to my wardrobe. Thanx for the chance to win this collector’s item.

Have you read?

Knit and Felt Some Tabi Style Slippers

The felted slipper craze that began last year doesn’t seem like it’s fading away. The Sailor Slippers, often striped knit and felted slippers made with super bulky yarn, because the project of the moment late last year (check out more knit slipper options in this post all about sailor slippers) and they’re still consistently popular with knitters.

Which makes sense because they are fun and fast to knit, and seeing them go from this giant thing to something that actually fits a foot feels a little magical. 

I have always loved felting (in fact my first book was about felting knitting) and it’s always fun for me to see people rediscover this technique. 

If you’ve knit enough plain slippers to fit all the feet you know, maybe it’s time to stitch up some tabi style slippers instead. 

Maymade Knits has designed these cute tabi ballerina slippers, made with bulky yarn and felted. They’re worked flat at first and then in rounds, and are available in 10 EU sizes (the Internet tells me add 31 to your American shoe size to get your EU size). The designer says the slippers are meant to have a close fit and you should choose a size a little smaller than your foot for the ideal fit. 

The pattern includes a video tutorial along with the written pattern. 

You can grab this pattern on Ravelry. The same designer has her own version of the striped felted slipper as well, called Sarah’s Striped Slippers. These are worked in super bulky yarn and have a contrasting foot and a striped body. These are knit flat and seamed and there are 7 size options available. Check that pattern out here if you’re looking for a more traditional slipper shape. They also look roomier so you can wear them with socks if you like. 

[Photo: Maymade Knits]