Craft Gossip

Independent craft blog since 2007

Mini Lantern Provides Portable Light

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If you’re looking for a compact rust-proof, wind-proof lantern, UCO Candle Lanterns has created a micro candle lantern.

It lasts several hours after inserting a tea light, which makes it one of the most inexpensive lanterns as well. If you’re hiking or camping and want to pack light, this micro lantern collapses down to 2 ½ inches.

The base has enough room to store a spare tea light too! Tea lights are a very economical alternative to batteries and the candle powered lantern is compatible with leave no trace ethics.

I think a couple of these mini lanterns would be handy just to have around the house in case of a blackout. Why does it seem like the batteries run out of flashlights just when you need them? Another bonus is the candle lanterns would supply warmth as well as light.

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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]