Tuesday, January 17, 2012

diy: wool insoles

felt liners
These babies have changed my life. I have perpetually cold feet. This time of year calls for wool socks and Uggs every day around the house, and cozy boots when I go out. Muck Boots are a country girls best friend but if my socks aren't thick enough, I still get chilled toes.  My friend Kate, of Woolen Moss, came to the rescue with her idea to make wool insoles for her winter footwear.* Since I had some of her felt sitting on a shelf, I thought it was high time to put it to use.

I pulled out the thin insoles from my Mucks to use as a pattern. I cut a pair out with sharp shears and  tried them on in my Uggs, which always get thin on the interior bottom before the rest wears out. Ooooh.... they were nice. It was like having brand new coziness- instantly. I couldn't take them out.
cutting liners
inserting liners
So, I made a second pair for my Mucks. Happy feet! Now I need to make them for each member of my family... and everyone I know! See how thick that felt is? If you have a densely felted recycled sweater I'm sure it would work just as well. Give it a try, and let me know how warm and toasty your feet are!
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Posted by mayaluna at 7:41 AM Labels:

29 comments:

  1. charlotteJanuary 17, 2012 at 8:13 AM

    Hurray for warm feet- I make these from my felted sweater stash and even resole my felted slippers with them. Hope you are still enjoying all that outdoor fun!

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  2. sweetmyrtleJanuary 17, 2012 at 9:51 AM

    perfect ! my feet are very frosty today x

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  3. AlyssaJanuary 17, 2012 at 10:16 AM

    What a simple (and smart) solution! I have a pair of wellies that I have been meaning to knit liners for. I have a feeling it would have been one of those things that I always intended but never got around to. This is so much faster and will make such a difference - thanks!

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  4. LoriJanuary 17, 2012 at 11:28 AM

    Perfect! I was just thinking about trying to do this for my boots this morning. It's -30C here today, warm wool insoles would have been nice this morning.

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  5. CindyJanuary 17, 2012 at 11:30 AM

    Brilliant idea, and just what I need to keep my toes toasty.

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  6. JoeyJanuary 17, 2012 at 11:39 AM

    Boy that felt is thick! Great idea! I must find a pair of those Mucks. My feet freeze when I'm outside in my rubber boots. For around the house I wear down filled "slippers" from Mountain Equipment Co-op....they are heavenly!
    xoxo
    ~ joey ~

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  7. PeggyJanuary 17, 2012 at 12:10 PM

    I absolutely love felted wool liners in my boots but I use them as much as I once did. Indiana seems pretty warm compared to Alaska... :) Now if you ever figure out how to make liners for winter crocs I would love to know! I have the worn out liners but am having issues finding the resources locally and affordably. Now I'm off to look at the lovely woolen liners you friend has! Thank you for the reminder! I'm off to make orange felted insoles for my favorite Uggs! Thank you!

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  8. barbJanuary 17, 2012 at 12:36 PM

    Brilliant idea. Going home at noon to do pair for myself. Cement floors here in south Dakota are cold.

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  9. Julie [Plums for Breakfast]January 17, 2012 at 12:50 PM

    This is a great idea--my feet are always SO cold, even in the super-expensive boots I bought myself from Columbia. I have wool socks, but this extra protection would be great.

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  10. theaJanuary 17, 2012 at 9:02 PM

    These look so toasty. My toes get cold so easily. I am excited to try some.

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  11. GinkgoGirlsJanuary 18, 2012 at 6:29 AM

    so interesting because scholars think this was how felt was first discovered- prehistoric peoples putting fleece in their shoes for warmth and comfort, and finding felt at the end of the day from the agitation of many footsteps. can't wait to try it myself!

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  12. AndreaJanuary 18, 2012 at 7:38 AM

    Lovely. Will do...

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  13. Seanna LeaJanuary 21, 2012 at 5:37 PM

    I will have to try these. I have plenty of wool to knit and felt large squares too.

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  14. StephanieJanuary 23, 2012 at 5:34 PM

    Perfect solution... simple, beautiful, effective. I've been at a loss over what to do about the worn insoles in my boots. I'm going to try this today. You are completely 100% awesome.

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  15. PamJanuary 27, 2012 at 5:53 PM

    Love this idea. I made a pair this week for my Bogs out of a thick felted sweater. I have a question though -- are you also using your old insoles or are the felted ones replacing the insoles? I put my insoles back in and put the felted ones on top but sometimes when I put my foot in the felted one bunches up.

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  16. Happy Hamby CampersApril 11, 2012 at 2:01 AM

    Thanks for this inspiration. I posted my results here:-

    http://happyhambycampers.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/dressed-for-comfort.html

    and am looking forward to toasty toes when attending an outdoor event in two week's time!

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  17. UnknownAugust 24, 2012 at 6:14 PM

    Looking forward to doing this! I found out I have bone spurs in my feet and the insoles in my boots are worn out from one season! Any ideas on super soft or squishy insoles for tennis shoes when its not for warmth?

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  18. NancyAugust 24, 2012 at 11:08 PM

    Question. I can't wait to try this, But... I have arthritis, the autoimmune variety similar to rheumatoid. I need the warmth all the way around my toes. The tips and tops of them can freeze to the point that they won't move.
    Has anyone figured out how to make something that covers the toes?
    I'm usually pretty good at coming up with stuff, but nothing seems to work with this.

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    Replies
    1. YeskeyaDecember 22, 2012 at 1:27 AM

      Nancy.... look for Polypropylene sock liners. Or any sock made with polypro. It's the only thing that keeps my feet warm. I had frostbite years ago and my feet get cold quickly. You can find them at Army surplus stores and some outdoors type stores.

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    2. LindaDecember 22, 2012 at 7:24 AM

      You could make the insole too long in the toe. Then when you slip your foot into the shoe, the extra bit will curve over the top of your toes. After a few hours of wearing the shoe, the insole would bond to the shoe that way.

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  19. Arch InsolesDecember 14, 2012 at 2:11 AM

    Creativity! I just loved your idea :)

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  20. AnonymousDecember 22, 2012 at 1:05 AM

    I love this. now if I can find some. My feet are always cold at work. I work on a raised floor where airconditioning runs underneath. After a few hours it works its way through the bottom of the soles of my shoes. Wool socks don't work for the rest of the day or when I'm walking around the building and stuff. My feet get too hot and sweat and then freeze when I go back to the raised floor.

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  21. Maggie's FarmDecember 22, 2012 at 6:57 AM

    A heads-up on the Muck boots and Uggs. Uggs take four newborn lamb skins to make. Muck boots are made in China. Northerner boots are made in the USA and are terrific waterproof boots. Maggie - shepherd in the wilds of upstate New York.

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  22. Keith AllenJanuary 22, 2013 at 10:27 AM

    Felt carpet pad works good,too.I padded my Viking Jorvik shoes with It!

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  23. RukodělkaOctober 15, 2013 at 4:04 PM

    I love it! I have a plan to make at least one pair of these. After my wool carder will be OK :-) I love to felt. It takes some time, but it is worth of it. I will read your blog often, it seeems to me we have something in common :-)

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  24. AnonymousOctober 16, 2014 at 12:57 PM

    Now I have a use for the sweaters I don't like or wear!

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  25. UnknownJanuary 19, 2016 at 11:52 PM

    im going to look for the felt or wool insoles at goodwill and salvation army to cut and use in my boots i can't wait too now

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  26. UnknownJanuary 31, 2016 at 4:10 PM

    Not sure why I never thought of this. I work with raw wool in wet, needle and machine felting. Thank you so much, excited about making new souls for both my boots and slippers. :-)

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  27. UnknownJune 29, 2016 at 11:47 PM

    Great idea...
    It seems comfortable.

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