Stash-busters Slippers

Pattern transcribed by Trillian42ATgmailDOTcom -- Feel free to email me with questions.

Yarn: Anything worsted weight, knitted with two strands; OR, any combination of yarns that will get the same gauge as two strands of worsted. Solids, variegateds, and combinations thereof all work equally well. Yarns used in example inclue Cascade 220, MicroSpun, and GGH Mystik.

Needles: US8 or swatch for gauge

Gauge: 6.5 ridges and 8.5 sts per 2" in garter (approximate)

Will fit: quite a range. I know this specific version will fit from a US women's 6 to a 9 – not sure what the boy's version will fit. They're a very quick project – if in doubt, I'd recommend making a range and seeing which ones will fit what size foots. I haven't done this yet as I have a very limited range of foots available to me for sizing.

FEMALE VERSION:

Using 2 strands of worsted weight, CO 23 sts (my mom recommends knitted co – I've used that and long tail and found no difference.) Leave a long tail for seaming later.

NOTE: Kf&b== knit into the front and back of the stitch. Also known as “Inc1" to some people – NOT M1, because that will leave a hole in your sole.

Rw 1: (WS) k9, p1, k3, p1, k9

Rw 2 and all even numbered (RS) rows: K across

Rw 3: Rep rw 1

Rw 5: k9, p1, kf&b, k1, kf&b, p1, k9

Rw 7: k9, p1, k5, p1, k9

Rw 9: k9, p1, k1, kf&b k1, kf&b, k1, p1, k9

Rw 11: K9, p1, k7, p1, k9

Rw 13: k9, p1, k1, kf&b, k3, kf&b, k1, p1, k9

Rw 15: k9, p1, k9, p1, k9

You should now have 29 stitches.

Continue alternating Row 15 with RS knitted rows until piece measures 4 3/4".

Work in seed stitch ([k1, p1]* across, both sides) for 2" or 15 rows. Piece now measures 6 3/4". It will stretch a lot on the foot, so it should be a couple inches shorter than the foot.)

Final row – K1, then k2tog across.

Cut yarn, leaving long tail – at least a foot. Thread tail onto yarn-needle and pull through stitches knit-wise. Pull stitches tight (there will be a small hole, which you can close up later if you wish) and then seam up the top of the foot, up to about 2 rows into the garter stitch. Tie off.

Go back to the CO tail, fold slipper along natural lines, and seam back of slipper. Weave in all ends -- blocking should be unnecessary.

Add a pom-pom to the top, or a bow across the instep, as you prefer. Or leave plain.

MALE VERSION:

C/O 29 sts, first row: k11, p1, k5, p1, k11 – work as girl version till k11, p1, k11, p1, k11.

Work till length measures a little over half of recipient's foot, then to about 1 1/2" less than length of foot. (Haven't made a boy version in about ten years – sorry this is so vague.) Finish as other version.