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How to Make Wet-Felted Booties With Knitted Tops

Here are the completed booties, a cute floral scene and a pair of needle felted ladybirds!

Here are the completed booties, a cute floral scene and a pair of needle felted ladybirds!

About These Cute Booties With a Ladybird and Floral Scene

For this cute little project, I made use of two tiny pairs of metal shoe lasts. One pair, which was a size larger than the other, was used to put the wool fibers down onto. The smaller one was used to shape the shrunken booties.

Quick Overview of the Felting Process

The floral scene was added when the booties had been partially felted. Once partially felted, the shoe lasts were removed and replaced with supermarket plastic shopping bags, and the project was put into a tumble dryer for about five minutes until fully felted.

Once felted, the booties were thoroughly rinsed, first in hot and then in cold water, until the water ran clear of soap. The shoe lasts were carefully removed, and the booties were left to dry. Then, the entrance of each bootie was top stitched with Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn, which is thick felting yarn.

To make life easier, I used a leather punch to put in 44 holes which the woollen stitches could easily be pulled through the felt. I picked up 44 stitches for the knitting part, using Pitons Classic Wool Roving Yarn to go around the top opening of each small pair of booties, and then knitted up 20 rows. These were then cast off. A ladybird was needle-felted onto each bootie to complete the floral scene.

Future Additions

A pair of leather soles might at some stage be added to the foot of each shoe, or alternatively, I may paint on a latex product such as Saf-T-Bak. This product is made by Environmental Technology and is a non-skid backing which can be painted on the bottom of each foot to prevent the wearer of felt shoes like these from slipping on hard or icy surfaces.

This image sets the scene for the tutorial below.

This image sets the scene for the tutorial below.

Materials You Will Need

  • Merino wool roving in a choice of colors
  • Metal or resin shoe lasts for a child. Preferably two pairs, in two different sizes.
  • Old stocking or pair of tights
  • Bubble-wrap
  • Curtain netting
  • Hot soapy water (dishwashing liquid or grated olive oil soap) diluted
  • Tumble dryer
  • Needle felting tool
  • A leather punch, helpful for adding holes for the top stitching
  • Two pairs pointed small sock needles
  • Needle felting tool or just one needle felting needle
  • Patons Classic Wool Roving Yarn
  • Saf-T-Bak for painting on the bottom of the shoe
  • Small pieces of leather (as an alternate to the Saf-T-Bak)
Here are cute and tiny metal shoe lasts for children. They really make a difference to the finished shape of the booties.

Here are cute and tiny metal shoe lasts for children. They really make a difference to the finished shape of the booties.

1. Put Down Four Layers of Merino Wool Fibers

Begin by placing a minimum of four layers of merino wool fibers onto a wet soapy shoe last.

Ensure that the area around the top of the bootie in the area where the shoe last will later be removed is just as thick as the rest of the shoe. You will be cutting through this area to remove the Last, but you need to ensure that it remains strong enough to support itself when you take off the last. This area also has to support the top stitches, which will be sewn around the top later. It also has to survive a child pulling the booties on and off.

I used a leather punch to make holes in this area. It makes it easier to get the stitches through the wool but might weaken this area if the thickness of the wool in this area is not addressed from the start.

I propped up the last with the other tiny shoe to keep it upright, as shown.

Lay the fibers on the underside of one shoe last. The second shoe last is seen supporting the first shoe last.

Lay the fibers on the underside of one shoe last. The second shoe last is seen supporting the first shoe last.

2. Cover the Shoe Last With a Minimum of Four Layers of Fibers

I used four layers of merino wool fibers. This is the minimum required to make a strong pair of little booties. Five might be better.

You may like to do two shoes at a time. You can also add your layers one at a time to ensure that your layers are put down evenly. This method is a good alternative for less experienced felt makers.

Put down four layers of merino wool fibers. Each layer should run in the opposite direction to the previous one.

Put down four layers of merino wool fibers. Each layer should run in the opposite direction to the previous one.

Make Sure to Cover the Last Evenly

Try to maintain even layers throughout the process. I added a few additional fibers in the toe area, as shown. Do what you can to put the wool down evenly. Felting is not an exact science. If your method works for you, do it your way.

Encase both the shoe lasts in four layers of wool fibers, use the curtain netting to help support the fibers by pulling the netting up tight against the last. Wet with hot soapy water before and after doing so.

Encase both the shoe lasts in four layers of wool fibers, use the curtain netting to help support the fibers by pulling the netting up tight against the last. Wet with hot soapy water before and after doing so.

3. Flatten down wet fibers on the underside of the shoe last.

3. Flatten down wet fibers on the underside of the shoe last.

4. The underside of the shoe has fibers attached and smoothed down with hot soapy water. The top fibers should now be folded in to complete the whole foot.

4. The underside of the shoe has fibers attached and smoothed down with hot soapy water. The top fibers should now be folded in to complete the whole foot.

Here the fibers can be seen completely covering the shoe last. The curtain netting should now be drawn upwards to help support the edges of the wool. Wet down with hot soapy water and rub well.

Wet the wool and bring up the curtain netting and cover with the curtain netting as shown below.

Wet the wool and bring up the curtain netting and cover with the curtain netting as shown below.

5. Pull the netting up and around the wool, wet and smooth the fibers down until the shoe last is evenly covered.

5. Pull the netting up and around the wool, wet and smooth the fibers down until the shoe last is evenly covered.

Using Curtain Netting

The curtain netting supports the wool and allows you to rub the fibers until they cling to the shoe last. An alternative would be to use bubble wrap to cover the wool.

I find that I prefer to use the netting and then rub the netting with a square of bubble wrap held in my hand.

A denser curtain netting than the usual very fine ones adds a little weight and works very well for me.

6. Press the fibers hard against the shoe last. Flatten and rub the top of the netting. Wet further if required.

6. Press the fibers hard against the shoe last. Flatten and rub the top of the netting. Wet further if required.

Time to cover the fibers. Rub until partially felted.

Time to cover the fibers. Rub until partially felted.

7. Wrap the Wool-Covered Shoe Last

I wrap the shoe tightly into the netting and use the folded bubble wrap to felt the fibers.

Wrap the shoe last.

Wrap the shoe last.

Here you can see the curtain netting has surrounded the whole of the project, making it very easy now you can rub easily from all angles.

8. Hold firmly as shown and rub with a small piece of folded bubble wrap.

8. Hold firmly as shown and rub with a small piece of folded bubble wrap.

9. Place on a Waterproof Surface

You may wish to place the project on a waterproof surface and rub it with a piece of folded bubble wrap and work around the foot, do what works for you.

10. Rub firmly with bubble wrap until the fibers begin to knit together

10. Rub firmly with bubble wrap until the fibers begin to knit together

As the fibers firm, cover with netting or bubble wrap and rub until the fibers are evenly distributed throughout the project.

As the fibers firm, cover with netting or bubble wrap and rub until the fibers are evenly distributed throughout the project.

Here is the partially felted bootie.

Here is the partially felted bootie.

11. Here, one shoe is completed; one more still to go!

11. Here, one shoe is completed; one more still to go!

12. Add the Floral Scene

Wet some very fine pieces of merino wool roving and decorate the surface of the Bootie. You could, prior to this, add some very fine pieces of wool in the color of your bootie. This will help the fibers attach to the surface.

Wet thin pieces of fibers and place them on the surface of the partially felted bootie.

Wet thin pieces of fibers and place them on the surface of the partially felted bootie.

13. Cover With Curtain Netting

Cover the carefully placed scene and wet with hot soapy water and rub gently at first and then rub until the fibers no longer move.

Cover with curtain netting, wet and rub well with fingers or using a piece of folded bubble wrap. Keep on checking the placement of the fibers to make sure none have moved.

Cover with curtain netting, wet and rub well with fingers or using a piece of folded bubble wrap. Keep on checking the placement of the fibers to make sure none have moved.

14. Cut on the White Line

Cut a straight line where indicated on the image by a white piece of string.

15. Cut where indicated with a sharp pair of scissors. Gently slip the bootie off the last.

15. Cut where indicated with a sharp pair of scissors. Gently slip the bootie off the last.

16. Remove the Other Shoe Last

This should be done very carefully at this stage. Once you have pushed down the fibers at the back of the foot, ease the last out carefully without tugging or pulling any of the fibers on the bootie.

Cut a straight line into the booties and remove the metal shoe lasts.

Cut a straight line into the booties and remove the metal shoe lasts.

17. Tumble Dry

Fill the wool booties with plastic bags from the supermarket and put the booties into a pair of stockings. Knot after the first pair has been inserted with a slipknot, and then place the next one into the same stocking. Tie a slipknot and put it into the tumble dryer to complete the felting process.

This may take up to five or more minutes, depending on how wet the project is when you put it into the stocking. I suggest you keep opening the stocking and checking the progress.

Once the booties have become felted, rinse well in hot and then cold water and if necessary neaten off the top edge.

Once the booties have become felted, rinse well in hot and then cold water and if necessary neaten off the top edge.

18. Top Stitch the Edges

Put some top stitches around the top of the bootie. Try to gauge how many stitches you will need on each knitting needle to give you the width required for a child's foot to go into the completed bootie. Please see the images. I used approximately eleven stitches per needle.

I also used thick pure wool, which will felt in the washing machine. This is not necessary but just a personal choice. When I wash the booties, I expect them to become more like the surface of felt bootie rather than that of a pair of knitted socks.

Pick up the stitches around the bootie with four sock knitting needles.

Pick up the stitches around the bootie with four sock knitting needles.

19. Needle Felt the Ladybird

Needle felt any loose bits of wool to the slipper and add a little ladybird using black, red and white merino wool roving.

Needle felt any loose bits of wool to the slipper and add a little ladybird using black, red and white merino wool roving.

The completed bootie. The knitting will become felted as it was made with yarn intended for that purpose.

The completed bootie. The knitting will become felted as it was made with yarn intended for that purpose.

Share Your Comments and Suggestions

I hope you enjoyed this tutorial. I am always pleased to hear any comments or suggestions for future projects.

© 2014 Sally Gulbrandsen

Comments

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on January 12, 2015:

randomcreative

You are very welcome and I very much appreciate the visit and also the comment. It was very nice to receive a HOTD for this one:)

Rose Clearfield from Milwaukee, Wisconsin on January 12, 2015:

So cute! Thanks for another fabulous wet felting tutorial and congrats on getting HOTD. Well deserved.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on January 08, 2015:

Nell Rose

Thank you, I appreciate your stopping by to comment. Perhaps it will encourage you or others to take up wet felting:)

Nell Rose from England on January 08, 2015:

That is amazing! you are so clever! lol! I would have no idea how to do this, wonderful!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 27, 2014:

Sunshyne1075

I hope she enjoys them. Thanks for taking the time to comment and to share this hub.

SUNSHYNE from California, US on December 27, 2014:

Wow these look amazing! I am going to send this hub to my daughter right now. Thank you so much for sharing.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 24, 2014:

Iris Draak,

My goodness, I would hate to be responsible for your having another little one! So glad you liked the little booties Iris.

Hope you Christmas is a wonderful one,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 24, 2014:

mySuccess8

Not so difficult but just a little fiddly and it certainly does help that time hardly matters when one is creating. I am glad you found the instructions easy to follow. I very much appreciate your stopping by and thank you for taking the time to comment on this hub.

Happy Holiday,

Sally

mySuccess8 on December 24, 2014:

A seemingly difficult-to-make DIY awesome and creative handicraft project, made simple by your well-explained detailed tutorial, attractive photos and video. Love the final product, and amazing talent! Congrats on Hub of the Day!

Cristen Iris from Boise, Idaho on December 24, 2014:

Sally, just about the time I think you can't make anything cuter you do something like this. You almost (almost!) made me want to have another little one. These are just adorable!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

colorulone

Thank you very much, I do appreciate the visit and your comment.

Happy holidays,

Sally.

Susie Lehto from Minnesota on December 22, 2014:

What a great tutorial with illustrations for us to follow.

Congrats on Hob of the Day

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

heidithorne

Thank so much for stopping by to comment on this hub. I am glad you found the images helpful. It was such a lovely surprise to find that this hub had received a HOTD. I very much enjoyed making the booties and it is so nice to have my work recognized in this way. I appreciate you best wishes and I wish you and yours a very Merry Christmas.

Best wishes,

Sally

Heidi Thorne from Chicago Area on December 22, 2014:

Your hubs are always so well done with amazing helpful photos for your projects. This definitely is so deserving of its Hub of the Day Award! Congrats and Merry Christmas!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

Joyfulcrown

I guess you need to have the desire to create, after that it just falls into place. I have several easy tutorials which are great for adults and children alike. I think it is always best to start with something simple first.

Thanks for the kind comment and the visit, both are very much appreciated.

Best wishes,

Sally

Joyfulcrown on December 22, 2014:

sallybea I love these booties, they are so cute. I wish I was as creative and as talented has you are.

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

billybuc

Thank you Billy, you are very kind. It is lovely to have my work recognized and I appreciate your valued support as always,

Happy Holidays,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

2besure

Wet felting is increasingly becoming more popular. I appreciate your visit and your kind comment, thank you very much.

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

David Rugu

You are very welcome, I appreciate the comment and also the visit,

Thank you,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

poetryman6969

Send the magic fairies please! There is lots of work for them to do before Christmas gets here. Thanks for your comment, it is much appreciated.

Sally

Pamela Lipscomb from Charlotte, North Carolina on December 22, 2014:

I have never heard of this! Very well done and very interesting project!

David Rugu Ngigi from Kitui, Kenya on December 22, 2014:

thanks very helpful

Bill Holland from Olympia, WA on December 22, 2014:

Congratulations on the HOTD. It is well-deserved.

Merry Christmas, Sally!

bill

poetryman6969 on December 22, 2014:

I didn't realize that so much went into making shoes. Now I see why having magic fairies do it for you overnight would be such a big deal!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

Alwifitness

Thank you very much, I appreciate your taking the time to stop by and comment.

Happy Holidays,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

mytone

You are very kind. Thank you for stopping by and I look forward very much to reading your own work.

Happy holiday to you,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

pstraubie48

Thank you so much, it means a lot to me. I appreciate the pin +

I hope you and yours have a terrific holiday.

Best wishes,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

Glimmer Twin Fan

Thank you so much, it is always so nice to receive recognition with a HOTD.

You have a great holiday too.

Best wishes,

Sally

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 22, 2014:

Olinda

Merci vous et tres gente

Sally

mytone on December 22, 2014:

Amazing idea and congrats for selecting hub of the day. I like your narration and am going to follow your hubs as well. Keep it up.Thanks

Alwifitness on December 22, 2014:

Wow that looks gorgeous Sally!

Olinda on December 22, 2014:

Amei show de criatividade http://www.dhermobela.com.br/

Patricia Scott from North Central Florida on December 22, 2014:

I think I commented on this when I first saw it but if I did not I think it is so clever. I am pinning g+ Congrats on HOTD

Angels are on the way to you ps

Claudia Porter on December 22, 2014:

Many congratulations on your HOTD Sally! You now I love your felting hubs and this is no exception. These are just beautiful and would be so sweet on a baby!. Have a lovely holiday!

Sally Gulbrandsen (author) from Norfolk on December 16, 2014:

Hi Devika,

Thanks for your very kind comment. I am glad you liked the booties, I had fun creating them.

Thanks too for the vote up, interesting and useful. It is appreciated as always.

Sally

Devika Primić from Dubrovnik, Croatia on December 16, 2014: