Help with Fiber Trends felted clog pattern

How-to Questions
1

Hello. I am a re-NEW knitter (I haven’t knitted for over 40 years). I saw a pair of the Fiber Trends felted clogs that a friend was wearing and bought the pattern and some yarn after reading the messages in this post. They indicated that it wasn’t too hard to knit. Alas, I find that I am unable to decipher the instructions!

After you do the w&t, what becomes of the stitches that were left on the needle when you wrapped? ie: Loosely cast on 51 (57,63/63,69) sts. Row 1: k1, m1, k24 (27, 30/30,33), m1, k1, m1, k14 (15,16/16,17), w&t, k31 (33,35/35,37), w&t, k13 (14,15/15,16), m1, k2, m1, k1, m1, k2, m1, k23 (26,29/29,32) m1, k1. (59, 65, 71/71,77 sts)

If I start out with 51 and understand the pattern, I have “knit and made” a total of 43 sts before the w&t. Then I knit back 31 and again w&t. That leaves 8 stitches before the w&t that have not been worked and 12 stitches left before the next wrap and turn. ??? I am totally lost.

Also, if at the end of a row it says k1. (67,73,79 sts), do the numbers in parenthesis mean that’s how many stitches you should have left on the needle? Is that counting the original stitches that have not been worked?

Is there a particular cast on style that works best for this pattern? Does anyone have pictures of the things in progress?

I love these slippers, and understand that once you’ve knit them they’re not difficult. Can anyone help me get through that first time? It’s snowing here and my feet are cold;)

Thanks.

2

You are working “short rows.” The stitches that you don’t work just stay on the needle. Somewhere later on in the pattern you will be told what to do with them. Usually, you start knitting full rows again, and then you go all the way across.

The stitch count should include all stitches (unless specifically told otherwise).

3

Thank you for your input. I take it that the number of stitches in parenthesis after the row ended with a k1. is the total stitch count? Sorry, but I’m really totally lost, and none of the knitting books I’ve looked in address this.

Also, if I knit short rows then go back later and knit all the way across, doesn’t that create a lump or buckle in the piece? Well, I’m going to try it again - this will be about the 5th time :teehee:

Thanks again for your help. I appreciate any input I can get!

4

Yes, the total number of sts on the needles is given after the w&t and the m1’s. And that’s right, you do create extra rows of sts in the middle of the project by doing the short rows and that’s part of the shaping that you want.

5

I’ve made several pairs of these, and the directions are pretty well written though it was easy for me to lose track so I had to be careful in that regard.

You work the short rows to make the shaping of the foot.

I used a long-tail cast-on, but I don’t think that it makes much difference.

Just trust the pattern and follow each step and your clogs will appear before your eyes–just don’t be surprised at how huge they are before felting!

6

No, When you knit short rows (2 at a time) you end up with a gentle angle on the rows. If you put a succession of short rows then what happens is the fabric will actually cup.

Great video on how to in different colors so you can see the short rows.

Great tutorial on short row theory and shaping.
http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEsummer03/FEATbonnetric.html