Family Foot-Warmer Slippers

Last May I bought a skein of yarn at a garage sale for 25 cents. I really liked the color; I wasn’t sure what I would make from it. After looking at patterns for chunky yarn slippers, I decided to make a pair. However, I could see that I would need more yarn. Fortunately, Walmart sells Bernat Softee Chunky yarn. They didn’t have pale antique rose in my store, but I was able to order online for in-store pickup. Total after tax was $2.47. For less than $3 I could have a new pair of slippers and learn more about knitting.

The color goes well with my robe.

I used Anne Baron’s Family Foot-Warmer Slippers pattern, a free download pattern. This pattern uses 2 strands of regular yarn or 1 strand of chunky. I learned how to use markers for a small pattern change and knit through the back loop. The pattern change creates a middle “seam” down the slipper.

They do fit. I am little disappointed that they are “airier” than I expected. They will be great when wearing a pair of socks, but by themselves I am not sure they will be warm enough.

I have decided to go back to knitting dish cloths for awhile. I found some patterns different than the one I learned on. I bought some yarn at Meijers on sale last week. It will be a few weeks before I have time to devote to knitting. I like dish cloths. They are fast and the gauge isn’t as important. It was nice to have a knitting project (the slippers) during the cooler times at Gulf Shores when I stayed inside. It’s getting nicer outside here, so the dish cloths may not get much attention.

Knitted Leisure Slippers

I have continued to knit. I made a pair of slippers. These are not heavy warm slippers. For me, these are travel slippers, something that takes up little suitcase space, but that I can use to protect my feet when walking on hotel carpets or for relaxing while sitting on a bed reading.

       

This project taught me more about knitting. Before, with the dishcloth and scarf I did not worry about size. For these, I needed to knit a small square to determine gauge. Using the suggested size 9 needle resulted in too much open space for my taste and not the correct stitches per inch. I changed to size 8 needles. I learned how to do knit one, purl one ribbing. The directions I used from the internet said they fit size 5 to 7 1/2. Since I wear 8 or 8 1/2, I had to modify the number of rows. I did pretty well in figuring out where to modify, but the knitted slippers have a bit of stretch and next time I would add only half an inch, not an inch to the garter pattern. As a general rule, I would say increase or decrease a half inch for each size change. Done according to the given directions, I think these would fit a size 7 1/2. I used Sugar and Cream cotton yarn which may also be a bit thinner than other worsted yarn. In the instructions below, I have put in brackets what I would use for size 8 slippers next time.

 

TV Slippers

 

These slippers fit size 5 to 7 1/2

3 ounces yarn (worsted weight)

Size 9 knitting needles. The gauge is 4 1/2 stitches per inch. The slippers are worked in garter stitch ( all knitted stitches) and knit one, purl one ribbing.

 

Cast on 32 stitches and work in garter stitch for 5 [5 1/2] inches. Then work 24 [26] rows of knit one, purl one ribbing.

 

On the 25th [27th] row, knit two together all across the row, ending up with 16 stitches on the needle. Break the yarn leaving a 25-inch end. Thread the yarn into a tapestry needle and pass through all of the 16 stitches on the needle.

 

Pull up these stitches tightly to form the toe. Fasten yarn securely and sew together the edges of the ribbed rows. Weave the heel seam. Attach a bow or a pompom where the ribbing starts.