Ideas needed... (crocheting)

[Brij]

Hi guys,

I've been doing loads of knitting since Yule, now I've decided I'm going to make myself some crochet slippers...
Got the crocheting the main part down reasonably well, but there's a bit I need some inspiration on:

What to make the sole from?

I'm living in Paris, so I can only really get hold of really every-day materials, but I'm thinking some kind of cord that's tough enough to walk around on but flexible enough to be single-crocheted into a sole? I don't really want to have to buy something just to cut it up to make a sole, but I don't think a wool-sole would quite be tough enough for what I want.

If I had an old tyre I'd gladly cut it up and wash it up to make a tough sole, but that's not an option.

[witch way?]

Hi Brij, Sorry I have absolutely no idea about the slipper sole but I just love the cat picture. Brilliant. w.

[MKG]

Carpet offcuts?

[ina]

Leather - maybe cut out of an old handbag or jacket?

[snapdragon]

string?

Or If you're using wool yarn what about crocheting an over-sized sole and felting it by washing in a machine, or scrubbing it in hot soapy water, it will close up and become much firmer but still be flexible

[Brij]

Ooo, I like that last idea especially. Thanks guys!

[mrsflibble]

plastic string or plaited carrier bags placed onto a hot pan of some variety (not a good one lol) to melt and fuse together into a hard block?

[Brij]

Also genius... We have so many carrier bags, that could be the making of some funky flip flops now that summer's coming!

I knew this was the right place to ask

[the.fee.fairy]

oooh...if you make flip flops, please post a pic! I love flip flops, and recycled carrier bag-crocheted ones sound fantastic!

[Brij]

Of course I will, Fee Fairy - I'm a natural show-off, so I won't be able to resist posting a pic if I pull off the plastic-bag flip-flop idea... I was gonna melt them together between two sheets of greaseproof paper, then (temperature depending), I can use my foot to imprint a comfy shape in them before I add the "thong" bit.

This project is definitely a matter of when rather than "if"

[the.fee.fairy]

That's a good idea.

I was thinking about putting some kind of grip on the bottom - maybe while its still melty, put it on some chicken wire or something to make it patterned and more grippy?

[Brij]

I'm hoping that if it's tightly crocheted it'll be grippy enough already, but that's a good idea. Don't have any chicken wire, but I'll have a look around for any rubbery-type things I may have.

Maybe i'll iron-melt it rather than using a hot-plate, more control over the process that way...

[the.fee.fairy]

Good plan. I was just wondering before if the soles migh be a little flat ad slippy. thats what i meant by grip, not putting chickenwire in the soles, just using it to provide some ridges, like in the soles of commercial shoes, so that they do have some 'grip'.

But you are right, bags roughly melted should have a good patterning.

Not that i get paranoid about falling over...

[Brij]

Heh, where I'm living has wooden floors... I do get paranoid about falling over!

[kimmie]

oo brij....do you mind if i steal this idea of yours!!...be a great way to solve summer birthday prezzies!!!