the blue blog archives: drilling is fun

First, tape is put around the bottom edge of the shoe to mark a safe line above the sole to drill. Now, I couldn't find any Post-It tape as called for in the pattern, so I used Scotch tape. It was easy to tear into short pieces and it came off reasonably easily.

Since there was no way that marker marks would be visible on my black shoes, I used a thumb tack and poked tiny holes to mark where to drill.

I put on the goggles and hubby drilled using the smaller bit. (Yeah, he's got drill skills, so I let him do it. Good thing too, because occassionally the leather would twist up around the drill bit and I wouldn't have been able to wiggle the bit loose as well as he could.)

With the pilot holes done, we switched to the larger bit and drilled into the same holes again. These went so much faster than the first set.

And without too much difficulty, I've got holes exactly the size of the crochet hook and am ready to cast on and knit! THIS. IS. SO. COOL.

(Don't laugh, but I am already shopping around for another pair of shoes to drill!)

posted by alison at 8:55 am | in these boots were made for knitting

Comments

I see a whole new market of knitting bags with compartments for googles and power tools about to make the scene...

Posted by: Dava at January 13, 2006 9:00 AM

googles? I meant goggles...

Posted by: Dava at January 13, 2006 9:00 AM

wow interesting. are you making them orange like the show? or another color?
the socks below are awesome they totally look like the ice cream too!
have a great day!

Posted by: allena at January 13, 2006 9:06 AM

I can't wait to see them!!!

Posted by: Scout at January 13, 2006 9:17 AM

I'd reccomend giving the soles of those shoes a good scuff before wearing them. Out of all the dance shoes I own, my character shoes have been by far the most slick (annoyingly so, even though I like slick shoes!). Many pairs are fall-on-your-face slick, especially on carpet.

Posted by: Chialea at January 13, 2006 9:21 AM

Air Conditioned shoes! Novel idea and just what we need in Texas LOL. Can't wait to see your progress.

Posted by: Dene at January 13, 2006 9:29 AM

Oooh yeah, you've gotten started! I can't wait to see you wearing them around town!

Posted by: Johanna at January 13, 2006 9:33 AM

I can't wait to see how these turn out! I recognize those shoes - I use them for theater all the time! I might even have an extra pair lying around that I can drill....

Posted by: Carrie at January 13, 2006 10:10 AM

i'm sorry, but i AM laughing for so many reasons....

Posted by: lisa b at January 13, 2006 10:11 AM

Let the adventure begin (and thanks for taking us along)!

Posted by: Leslie at January 13, 2006 10:26 AM

This is so fun to watch! I can't wait to see how the y come out!

Posted by: Amber at January 13, 2006 10:33 AM

What a cool thing to do!! I love the crocheted shoes out on the market and was wondering if I could actually make them. I can't wait to see how yours turn out!

Posted by: Morgan at January 13, 2006 11:20 AM

Do you think it's a project you can knit on around town? playground bench, library, coffeeshop - or as Colleen would expect, on the subway? I'd love to see the looks you'd get when people saw what was on your lap..

Posted by: Thea at January 13, 2006 12:18 PM

I'm really looking forward to seeing your completed project, what a fun start!

Posted by: sedie at January 13, 2006 12:24 PM

Going to be interesting to watch this. I don't get DIY network, so hadn't seen the original show, but I've been hearing about the knitted boots around the blogs.

For next time, did you look for the Post-It tape next to the Liquid Paper and Wite-Out? The Post-It tape that I'm familiar with is sold for correction purposes - you use it to cover a line that you need to remove from your copy.

Posted by: Folkcat at January 13, 2006 12:30 PM

OK, I'm loving watching this (despite the fact that I will never myself, do this) but am wondering what your husband is saying about being asked to mutiliate a new pair of shoes so you ca knit (or crochet) over them?

Posted by: amysue at January 13, 2006 12:43 PM

Rockin'! I can just hear the music: "These boots were meant for walking, and that's just what they'll do!"

Posted by: Julia at January 13, 2006 1:34 PM

OK this is weird but I can't look away. Love the way you got hubby involved in The Process. Cause it's all about The Process when it comes to knitted boots!

Why do we knit boots? Because we can!

xoxo Kay

Posted by: Kay at January 13, 2006 3:01 PM

I can't wait to see how these turn out. You are so brave!!

Posted by: Jessica at January 13, 2006 3:07 PM

Yay on getting started! Now show us the "cast on" row! :P

Posted by: Colleen at January 13, 2006 3:09 PM

You're getting me excited about making these! I found yarn today, but I'm still waiting on the shoes...

Posted by: katie at January 13, 2006 3:22 PM

I honestly can't wait to see how all these boots turn out! It's such a cool idea.

Posted by: stephanie at January 13, 2006 3:55 PM

I have never really thought about making something like this, but we just put up a new closet unit in the bedroom and now I want to drill things. Lots of things. Drill, drill, drill. Or maybe something safer. Grommets.

Posted by: Seanna Lea at January 13, 2006 3:57 PM

looking good! i'll be drilling this weekend GRIN

Posted by: rebecca at January 13, 2006 5:20 PM

This sounds an interesting project...I'll keep watch on it. Pity, men can't wear such things.

Posted by: Elemmaciltur at January 13, 2006 5:33 PM

This I've got to see!

Posted by: margene at January 13, 2006 6:59 PM

I watched Knitty Gritty this morning and I'm so excited to see this project! I'll be watching.

Posted by: candy at January 13, 2006 7:31 PM

You are the definition of an extreme knitter Alison! Can't wait to see your finished "boots" :)

Posted by: Debi at January 13, 2006 7:51 PM

I couldn't help it. The laugh escaped before I could stop it. You are making this look easy. Is it really?

Posted by: jae at January 13, 2006 8:10 PM

Hmm...that's a supportive hubby in sight! :)

Posted by: Emy at January 13, 2006 9:26 PM

So far they're lookin' great! What a fun project. :)

Posted by: Samantha at January 14, 2006 10:34 AM

It is such a "kick" (pun intended!) to see a "real" person work on these. And I'm glad to see you using a different colored yarn. I can't wait to see your continued progress!

Posted by: Mary at January 14, 2006 2:55 PM

Oooh, oooh!! You could wear them with matching (or contrasting) knitted socks!! Oh and knitted legwarmer thingies. OK, maybe not the legwarmers but these will be sooo cool!!

Posted by: Sarah at January 15, 2006 9:23 AM

I love power tools! Are you going to leave the straps on? I wasn't sure about that.

Posted by: Vicki at January 15, 2006 11:35 AM

Awesome...and let's face it our hubbys enjoy those little manly tasks ;-)

Posted by: Orli at January 16, 2006 9:45 AM

This is the most hilarious knitted thing I have ever seen! They are going to be so cool!

Posted by: Krista- The Silent K at January 16, 2006 3:18 PM

Ok... I am new to knitting with only one cell phone cozy and one hat under my belt, so the thought that you might actually be knitting boots is blowing my mind! Where can I find a picture of the pattern or project that you got the idea from?

Posted by: Jessica at January 17, 2006 6:15 PM