Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Simple Knitted Slippers


As with many of my patterns, this isn't so much original, as a reworking of an old standard. I am putting it in writing for those who remember the pattern but can't find a copy anywhere. The pair shown were knitted with two colors. I will give directions for them at the end of the main instructions. The pair in the picture were knit one at a time. This caused me to run out of yarn before the second slipper was finished. I had to improvise the purple toe of Sock #2. To prevent this, knit both slippers at the same time.  I have found knitting socks two-at-a-time on a 40 inch circular is a breeze!

SIMPLE KNITTED SLIPPERS.

2 skeins bulky or super bulky yarn (2 more skeins of second color if doing multicolored slippers)

Size 10 1/2 long circular needles

1 yarn needle

Knit two at the same time: *Using the Long Tail Cast on Cast on 32 stitches from 1st skein. Make sure you have a tail at least 8-10 inches long hanging down.* Drop yarn. Repeat between ** for 2nd slipper. You now have both slippers started on your circular needles. The long tails will be used to sew the heels when the slippers are finished.

Row 1: Knit across first slipper. Drop yarn. Knit across 2nd slipper. Turn.
Row 2: *Knit 10 stitches, Purl 1, Knit 10, Purl 1, Knit 10*. Drop yarn. Repeat between ** for 2nd slipper. Turn.

Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the fabric is 5" long.

Row 3: *K2, P2* across first slipper. Drop yarn. Repeat between ** for 2nd slipper.

Repeat in pattern until slippers are 1/2 inch shorter than the foot that will wear them. Cut yarn leaving a 12" tail. Thread tail of the first slipper into a large-eyed yarn needle. Work stitches off the knitting needle onto the tail using the needle. Draw up toe. Secure it by sewing through the loops one more time.

The two parallel rows of knit stitch that run across the sole mark the "bend" for turning up the sides of the slippers. They should be on the outside when the slipper is finished. Turning slipper to the wrong side, sew the seam from the toe across the arch to the beginning of the garter stitch section. Secure yarn and cut off extra. Repeat for second slipper.

Sew up heels using the tails from the cast on. Add a pompom over the arch of each slipper, if desired.

To make colored slippers:

Full stripe: When you start the rib stitch section, tie in color B and knit 2 rows. Drop yarn at end of row. Pick up color A and knit 2 rows. Drop A, Pick up B and repeat until you have stripes to the end of the slipper. I had about 5 rows of Color A and 6 rows of Color B.

Saddle shoe slipper: When you start the rib stitch section, tie in color B and knit 2 rows. Drop yarn at end of row. Pick up color A and knit 2 rows. Drop A, Pick up B and repeat once. You will have 2 bands of each color. Drop A and cut yarn. Continue to end of slipper with Color B.

The original pattern for this slipper uses worsted weight yarn. If you chose to use worsted weight and you do not double the yarn, you may need to use a smaller needle. Test the 32 stitch cast on to be certain the sole is large enough for the foot that will wear the slipper. If it is too narrow, increase the three sections evenly, two stitches at a time.