Designer Spotlight: The Klompen by Lydia Hamilton
Lydia Hamilton is addicted to crochet and she doesn’t care who knows it. We’re talking intervention-and-hidden-stash level addiction. She tries to put down her hook from time to time, but old habits die hard.
One of her favorite projects at the moment is actually her own design. The Klompen is a pair of felted, crochet slippers that Lydia made inBerroco Ultra Alpaca. Simple, stylish and practical, these slippers are quick and easy to crochet. You could even cast on and felt this project in the same day! New to felting? Lydia includes tips for best results in her pattern.
The Klompen by Lydia Hamilton
How long have you been crocheting?
I learned as a kid from my grandmother. It wasn’t until I was in graduate school and desperate to avoid working on my thesis that I began to learn how to read patterns.
How did you come up with this design?
I love designing slippers of all sorts. I’m particularly attached to felted slippers. This particular design was inspired in part by the popular Toms shoes. It has a modern appearance and is light enough to wear year round. It also crochets up quickly so you get that instant satisfaction that is so rewarding.
How did you decide on the yarn?
Berroco Ultra Alpaca was a suggestion by the Vanessa, the owner of my LYS, Three Bags Full. I had been using other worsted weight yarns for my designs and I was getting a good result. But there was no turning back once I used Ultra Alpaca! This yarn creates a perfect felted fabric. You can’t see the stitches at all. It’s super soft to the touch and very light, yet hardy. The color selection is also amazing. If I could wave a magic wand, I would have a stash of every single color in this collection on hand!
Any crocheting disaster stories?
Oh man, when I first began felting, I had no idea how big to make the slippers. I made some so large that even after heavy felting they would have been too big for even the tallest of basketball players!
What’s your favorite thing about crocheting?
I love the meditative quality of crochet. I work in mental health care where there is a heavy emphasis on mindfulness, which essentially means being in the moment. Crochet takes you there and away from worries about both the past and the future.