Excursion (plus giveaway)
I have strong feelings about travel. I think it’s a lovely thing to do, but wow do I ever want to take the comforts of home with me when I go. That means I bring along everything I need to make a proper cup of tea (yes I have brought my teapot on trips), and I have at least one pair of slippers in my suitcase. This pair is called Excursion, and you can bet it will be accompanying me on my next adventure!
These are going to make you feel ridiculously clever when you make them. You cast on at the back of the heel, do some increases to make a cup for your heel, do some decreases to shape the gusset, then join up to work in the round and zoom on down toward your toes. The whole thing feels amazingly tidy.
I made the things, and I even find myself picking them up and going oooooooh, how the heck does that work?
I made mine in the much beloved and sadly discontinued Caper Aran from String Theory, but the pattern is written so that you can use pretty much any aran, worsted, or even DK weight yarn you like. You just need to be sure you’re knitting nice and tight so you get a dense, sturdy fabric. If you go with a lighter yarn they may start to feel a bit more like thick socks than sturdy slippers, but I suspect you’ll love them just as much either way.
I do happen to have one last skein of this exact yarn (which should be more than enough to make a pair of these…I have size 11 feet and I had a fair bit of yarn leftover when I was done) to give away. If you think it should be yours, just leave a comment telling me what’s the one thing you always pack along on trips to make you feel more at home. You already know my weaknesses, but I suspect you guys have some interesting things in your suitcases too!
And while I can’t quite manage to yarn to everyone, I can give everyone a discount. You can use the code SUITCASE to get a dollar the price between now and Friday. Just put Excursion in your ravelry cart, click on the ‘use a coupon code’ button, and type in the code SUITCASE. You’ll see the change in price reflected right away.
Comments left between now and the end of the day (eastern time) Friday, October 7, 2016 will be entered to win. I’ll pick a winner, contact them to get their addresses, and arrange to send yarn their way. Be sure to use a real email address so I can contact you if you’ve won (I won’t do anything with those email addresses besides notify the winner). If I do email you, I need to hear back from you within 72 hours or I will pick a new winner and contact them. Sorry, but I can only ship physical prizes to US addresses.
I love these! This is the perfect season for such a pattern. Thank you so much!
I always bring at least 2 books and my iPad. What if I finished one book and hadn’t brought another one?? Most of the time my luggage has more books and knitting in it than actual clothes lol
Interesting patten! Lovely yarn, too. I always take my pillowcase only so I have room for yarn and projects!
Another pillow person but also my kindle – if I can’t read I’m miserable.
Caper is one of my favorite yarns.
Agreed on the lament for the late Caper Aran – I wonder if we raised a chorus if they might be persuaded to bring it back?
My travel bag always has a teensy travel candle tucked in it. Barely the size of a silver dollar, it has a lid (for safety) and a gentle grapefruit scent (for occasional hotel funk).
Your slippers are gorgeous. Thanks for making the pattern for us.
I love this pattern. Been watching it develop. Can’t wait to try it.
My comfort items are a pillow and several knitting projects to ease any anxiety about traveling. The finished slippers came out great! I would definitely like to try knitting them in Caper aran.
Yay, they’re published! 🙂
I always have to take a book and/or knitting with me wherever I go, even just to work. You never know when you’ll have a minute, and it’s really comforting to know you can slip back into something familiar. 🙂
If I’m driving I always carry my own pillow. Just can’t get comfortable without it, and I don’t sleep well in strange places as it is.
My kindle and/or a “real” book. Gotta always have reading material!
When I was packing to move from the UK to the US (with just two suitcases for all my worldly possessions!) I packed cards from people at home, and my stuffed animal who’s been with me since the day I was born. Now that I travel mainly for shorter, i.e. non-permanent, periods of time, my must-have is a bag of my preferred tea-bags. In fact, I have a stash with me in my bag no matter where I go, if I’m just leaving the house for a couple of hours…
When traveling, I never leave home without my knitting, kindle, and nice tea. Sound familar??
I love String Theory Caper Sock. I am actually working on a project right now using it. It’s so soft and easy to knit. Your slippers are adorable and would be great in Caper Sock. Thanks for the giveaway.
What do I always pack….Hmmm…Can I say “all of the above?” From years of travel (for business and for pleasure), I have certain items always in my bag. Phone/iPad charger, my preferred tea and sweetener, toiletries, etc. Throw in an extra knit/crochet project and I am ready to go!
These would make a great Christmas gift!
Gosh, with 8 (going on 9) kids, I rarely travel these days, at least for my own pleasure. On family trips we always have the comforts of home … pillows, stuffed animals, books, etc. etc. etc!
These slippers look perfect for travel – I always something to put on my feet in the hotel room but usually fall back on socks – the yarn looks lovely – thank you for the chance to win some and for a great looking pattern
I always travel with my Kindle, which has the advantage of enabling me to read in the dark and get another book if I finish something early. And knitting, of course. 🙂
I always pack a portable knitting project; makeup; spare underwear; and a smile! These slippers are gorgeous! I’ll have to add them to the list once I make them up. Thank you for the discount!
These slippers are so cute, these would make a great present for Christmas.
I always pack something yarn-related: a knitting magazine, a current project if portable, or my knitting journal to record inspiration.
I always have a book (usually 2 or 3) on my kindle and knitting. Packing usually involves just getting the basics. I guess I am just glad to see it all there when I get back home.
I always bring a portable knitting project and a smile! Also my makeup bag and extra under garments. I’ll have to add these slippers to the list!
I love these photos with the kitty! And the String Theory yarns I’ve used have been lovely. Please pick me! 🙂
I always take music and some knitting with me when I travel. I used to carry an iPod but now the music is on my phone. If I have insomnia, because I don’t sleep well in a strange bed, or if I have to wait for a train or a flight I always have music and knitting to help pass the time.