You may remember me mentioning a while ago in my Sewing & Crocheting Plans post that I wanted to crochet a pair of sandals. Or you may have even seen them in progress in my latest Vintage Crochet Projects Podcast. Either way, I’m happy to report that they’re now all finished and thoroughly wearable. Yay!

The pattern I used was a Weldon’s pattern from the late 1930s or early 1940s. I purchased it as a PDF from Vintage Ali Patterns on Etsy and thankfully it was just a scan of the original leaflet and not a re-typed version as you sometimes get. The reason I say ‘thankfully’ is because the pattern doesn’t say which size thread to use, but rather has images of the thread that you lie your thread on top of for comparison.

Therefore the pattern must be printed out exactly the same size as the original leaflet, otherwise you’d end up using completely the wrong size thread. I chose to do the striped version of the pattern and used a DMC Petra size 5 crochet thread in navy and white, which was pretty much spot on for size. (Source: http://vintagegal.co.uk/)

And here they are! I’m almost happy with them, but if I was going to make them again I would leave off the first white stripe over the toes to leave it more open. I also wouldn’t make the main part quite as wide. It flaps a little bit at the front and doesn’t look at delicate as the ones in the original pattern. What I’m going to do to combat this on these ones is sew down the very end of the main section to the sole. Currently it’s left open as per the instructions, but it doesn’t really do anything helpful. Therefore, by closing it up it will stretch the fabric a little bit and be less flappy over the toes.

Well hello! I’m so sorry it’s been so long since my last post – I think, in fact, this has been my longest ever absence from the blog. Life has been very hectic over the last six weeks or so, and unfortunately, something had to give. Things are still a bit crazy but I’m hoping it will all calm done by the beginning of October and I should be back to my regular schedule again.

Keep your fingers crossed! And, whilst the chaos and lack of posts continues, you can always keep up-to-date with my shenanigans over on Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. Anyway, to keep you up-to-date with my crocheting, I’ve managed to put together a new episode of the vintage crochet projects podcast.

I haven’t actually achieved a massive amount since my last one but I have overcome an enormous yarn-shaped hurdle that has challenged me for years. If you’re interested to find out what that is, please have a watch. And as always, I really appreciate the support! (Source:http://vintagegal.co.uk/)

A special mention goes to my lovely friend Kitty, from Kitty Lou Vintage, who knitted the stunning 1930s jumper I’m wearing in this video. The pattern is available for free on The Vintage Pattern Files website. It was knitted using Cascade 220 Fingering in colour 8393 Navy and the buttons are vintage. And apologies if the video is a little dark, especially towards the end, it got very stormy outside and I lost the light!