Tips for Nuno-zori #2

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The textbook I used to make Nuno-zori recommends to use 4 strips to make a sole, and that is what I did in my posts. But I had trouble maintaining the shape straight when going from one strip to another.

So I experimented something: I stitched one strip to another to bind them.....making one very long strip with no ends.

It worked better with me because I could always go back several rows and adjust the shape.

I also liked it because I don't have to deal with finishing messy bottom. (the pic is the bottom...much better than the previous photo)

The only tip I want to share with you is that I waited to stitch a strip to another till the very last minutes. Then I needled them so as the stitches will be on the right spot and not show up on the surface. Especially when binding two different cloths, I cut the end of the first strip to adjust the length so as the second cloth will start from the edge.

Tips for Nuno-Zori: Read me first

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I posted "how to make Nuno-zori" a while ago. As I make some more myself, I find better ways to do it. It turns out that the pictures that I use for those posts are awkward and not good examples. But since it takes so much time to replace photos, I will wait a bit to do it.

However, I am editing and changing the text as I go.

If your Nuno-zori don't look good, it could be because my instruction was not good enough. Feel free to come back and check the posts again; they might have been changed and would be more helpful.

Enjoy knitting!

Tips for Nuno-zori #1

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One thing that disturbs me about knitting Nuno-zori.....it hurts my back!

There are some alternatives to using your feet.

Hangers.








Or other types of hangers.



Be creative and please let me know if you found better way to do it!

Need a name! nuno zori, cloths sandal, eco zori, recycled sandal

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I wrote several posts on "how to make a nuno-zori". Since then, I've been knitting some myself. What I like with this easy-to-make cloths sandal is that next one is always much better than the previous one! Improvement is sooooo obvious!

My previous "wanna-be-sandal"s didn't make it to be worn by me because I wasn't very impressed with the finish. So I am redoing them.

But I can wear this one!

For those who didn't read the previous posts, this sandal is called Nuno-zori. You can make them with your old cloths (T-shirts, towels, pretty much anything you want). It is really between reuse and recycle; EoL cloths change their forms physically, but not biologically or chemically. But probably I should call it "recycled" because the old cloths transformed to something else.

This is very easy to make, and definately revive the old cloths in a very useful way. I think it deserves a nice translation.

Nuno-zori simply means cloths sandal, but it's not just that. It uses recycled cloths and can be easily hand-knitten by anyone. even kids. Keep your room and toes clean. Washable.

Nuno-zori --- eco-zori, eco sandal, recycled hand made sandal, recycled sandal.....

What do you think is a nice translation to the inspiring nuno zori??

Wrap up: How to make Nuno-zori

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I wonder if anyone ever get to make a Nuno-zori.

I have been trying to figure out what went wrong with mine. One of major problems with mine was that the form of sole was pretty ugly.


Obviously, the right hand side is the previous one, the left hand side is the new one. The form is much better with the new one. I realized that the first few rows (toes) are very important.....it really determines the stability of the entire form.

Once you are in the second row, try to widen the widths as much as you can. Unless you quickly expand the widths, you will have trouble allowing enough widths to fit your foot. (That's what happened with my previous one).


Use this technique each and every row; tightly knit horizontally. You might notice that the picture (what I did with my previous sole) shows that the toe was too narrow. It's not a good example. It has to be much wider for the second row and onward.

Compare with the blue/green sole......and what's neat about making Nuno-zori is you can easily improve your skill!

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloth sandal): Step 7

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Step 7: You've got a Nuno zori!

1) Attach the thong to the sole: Remember, the thong looks like Y-shape. Let "I" part of Y go from the front side of the sole to the back. (To determine the point, put your foot on the sole. Probably 4-5th row from the toe-end, but depends. )

2) Finish back of the sole: tie the end of the rope right above the thong strip. Tie the strip tightly over the rope. Cut the excess off. You may want to give some stitches so that the ends are attached to the back sole.

3) Finish the thong: Put your foot on the sole and decide the length of the thong. Let it feel rather tight on your foot at this point. Let the end of the thong go to the back of the sole (1) and then back to the front (2), and then to the back again (3).

4) Finish both ends of the thong. Tie tightly. Then tie the ends together at the back of the sole. Cut the excess off.

Voila!

You've got a Nuno-zori!

Repeat the same process for the other foot!

Mine doen't look great...Next one should be better!

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloth sandal): Step 6

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Step 6......Finishing the sole

Now.....does yours look like this? I have to say mine is pretty awkward.

1) Loosen the knot on the rope and pull.

2) Pull the rope until there is 1-2 inches rope sticking out on the toe side. Let the end of the strip go around between [1][2] and [3][4]. Tighten the strip, and adjust the shape.

Looking like almost done?

3) Finish the end: Find a stitch one or two rows down and let the end go under it. Cut the rest. You may saw the end to the sole if you'd like to.
All other ends can be finished in the same manner.

4) Wow. Sole is done!

Again, mine is not a good example. White area is not vertically straight. If yours look like mine, go back and try to rectify it.

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloth sandal): Step 5

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Step 5.....Knitting the sole

You use your feet throughout the knitting process. Assume that the rope is hooked on to your feet as shown in Step 4.

1) Let the right hand side of the strip go under [3], and then over [4].

2) Go over [3], under [2], over [1], make a turn, over [2], under [3].....

Note: we have started from the toe. Please knit the first 2-3-4 rows tight, but then gradually start knitting horizontally loosely (it shouldn't be loose virtically). Compare with your foot to make sure it matchs your size.

Important: the example in the picture is not good. The toe must be much flatter. The second row must be much wider than the first row, and the third row must be much wider than the second row..... Try and re-do as you are satisfied with the shape. Those first several rows are the most important part of the whole process. Have your favorite flip-flop on your side and continuously compare the shape as you go.

3) Keep going until you are almost done. The edge needs to be finished under [2] as shown in the below pic. To virtically tightly knit, use your fingers as shown in the lower left pic.

4) When the first strip is coming to the end, finish in between [2] and [3] (go over [3] and finish under [2]).

New strip should be started under [2] and then over [1]. You may leave 1-2 inches edge.

Then keep knitting until you reaches the heel part. (We started from toes)

5) Once you are close to finishing the sole, tighten the last 3-4 rows so as it makes sole-like shape.

The edge should be finished over [2], and then under [3].

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloth sandal): Step 4

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Step 4...... Start knitting!

1) Loosely tie the rope for sole. Hook the loop to your toe as shown in the picture. Pull the knot toward your body, under the loop.









2) Follow the picture. Be sure to twist the rope in between your toes.












3) Clip the point where you twisted the rope.







4) Start knitting. Knot the edge of the strip to the rope as shown. Leave the left edge about 2-3 inches. It should look like below.










5) Once you tighten the knot, let the edges go under the rope that you knotted loosely.









6) It should look like this. those four strings (1-4) are the basis for the sole. Make them even before starting.

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloths sandal): Step 3

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This post has been updated.

Step 3..... Prepare the cloths for sole (remember, total 8 strips are needed)


Stretch, stretch, and stretch some more....


Until it curls up.


It's ready for knitting now!

If you are using not too curly material, that is okay. You might just want to use iron to nicely fold it. Or you might want to give some stitches to make knitting easier. Make sure to check how thick the roll looks. I think it has to be thicker than the rope that you are using.

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloths sandal): Step 2

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Step 2.... Getting thong ready

To give you an idea, this is how two strips would work.







Step by Step.....





1) Sew the strips. Seam allowance is about 5mm. If you don't have a sewing machine, just hand-sew. Then make them inside-out using a safety pin.
2) Let the rope (whose edge is scotch-taped) go through inside the thong.

Then, tie the short strip to the middle point of the longer one to make the picture above.

P.S. Since I am not familiar with sewing/knitting sort of stuff, I might be using wrong words. Please let me know if you don't know what I am talking about, or if you know the better words. Same for unit. (mm, inch, feet, yard...)

How to make a Nuno-zori (cloth sandal): Step 1

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The post have been updated.

Because many people are visiting this blog looking for information for Nuno-zori, I decided to post how to make it. But since I am not an expert, I will just try to translate whatever information is available without violating copyright. Please understand that there is a limitation and if you are looking for serious information, try to find someone who can translate the site like this: Nuno-zori or buy a book and let someone translate it.

Step 1.......Preparation

Materials. (Size: Women 6-6.5)



Sole
1) Rope (could be nylon or cotton) 5'(length) x 0.3"(diameter) (1)
Rope works as the core (or foundation or padding? I don't know the exact word). For the first zori, give it a few inches longer. My feet need a little bit more than 5'.
2) Textile 2'8" x 3.5" (4 of them for one sole)
For the first attempt, jersey-knit like, soft/strechy material is recommended. You might want to choose a cloth that is adequately thick. For example, a towel is too thick, but a summer baby wrap is nice. T-shirt might be too thin for a beginner. To compensate, you might want to try tomake strips wider. If you are to use tops, you would need more than 1 item. To be on the safe side, it would be nice to have back-up item that matchs the ones you chose. So far, I found baby's blanket and sheets (thin flannel) easy to knit.
Thong
1) Rope 2' (length) x 0.3"(diameter) (1)
Same as sole.
2) Textile 28" x 2" (1), 15.8" x 2" (1)
I think this doesn't have to be so strechy. You could choose pretty match everything you want, but maybe not too thick or hard.

Other items needed.
1) a pair of sissors
2) scotch tape
3) a clip (laundry clip-like)
4) a safety pin

This is all you need. Are you ready to getting started?

"Nuno-zori" - Cloth sandal

This is neat.



You can use your old clothes or towels or any textile basically - to make those lovely sandals!

And it is easy to make; even a 3rd or 4th grader can make it.

Ideal to wear in a house. (Keep your house clean and keep your toes comfy!)I'm also thinking these would be good for a trip. (use in a hotel room, etc..)

Washable, obviously.

I need to post how to make.