Simple Slipper

For manual single-bed knitting machines

By Brenda Bell

http://knitfits.theotherbell.com

Slipper shown above (ladies size 7) with garter stitch edge (see Variations on page 5)

2 ½ oz (70 g.) worsted wool (10 WPI)

14 st and 21 r over ss = 4”

Measurements & Calculations

Before you can start knitting, you’ll need to gather gauge information and foot measurements. You can then calculate your own “pattern” to make a slipper that fits. The measurements used for the sample sock are included at the end of the pattern.

The measurements and calculations are specifically designed for a thick stretchy yarn. If your gauge swatch has little stretch in one or both directions, you’ll need to make adjustments where noted.

Foot measurements

All measurements should be snug and taken to the nearest ¼”.

A: Length of foot __________

B: Circumference around ankle __________

C: Diagonal circumference around ankle and __________

heel

D: Circumference around ball of foot __________

E: Distance from ankle to floor __________

F: Slipper length (A minus 1“) __________

If your gauge swatch does not stretch across its length, subtract ½” instead of 1”.

G: C * .80 __________

H: Larger of B, D and G minus 1” __________

If your gauge swatch does not stretch across its width, subtract ½” instead of 1”.

Gauge

I: Rows per inch: __________

J: Stitches per inch: __________

Pattern Calculations

Unless specifically noted, numbers should not be rounded.

K: # stitches to cast on (H * J / 2) __________

(round up or down to the nearest odd number)

L: K / 3 __________

(round up or down to an odd number)

M: # decreases for heel/toe (K - L) __________

N: Leg length (E * I) __________

(round up to whole number)

O: Ribbing length (I * 1.5) __________

(round up to whole number)

P: Ankle length (N – O - M) __________

Q: Length of sole from heel to toe (F * I) __________

(round down to whole number)

R: Heel/toe rows (L * 2) __________

S: Length of sole between heel and toe (Q - R) __________

Instructions

Double e-wrap CO ________ (K) ndls.

Back of ankle:

K 3 R for roll cuff. See Variations on page 5 for garter stitch edge as shown in picture.

K ________ (O) R. Convert every other st from knit to purl for 1x1 rib. See Tips on page 5 regarding marking knots for seams.

K ________ (P) R.

Heel:

* Move 1 ndl on carriage side to HP; K 1 R. ** Repeat from * to ** until ________ (L) ndls remain in WP (________ (M) more rows). See Tips on page 5 regarding weights.

* Move 1 ndl opposite carriage to FWP; K 1 R. ** Repeat from * to ** until all ndls are in WP (________ (M) more rows).

Sole:

K ________ (S) R.

Toe:

* Move 1 ndl on carriage side to HP; K 1 R. ** Repeat from * to ** until ________ (L) ndls remain in WP (________ (M) more rows).

* Move 1 ndl opposite carriage to FWP; K 1 R. ** Repeat from * to ** until all ndls are in WP (________ (M) rows).

Instep and front of ankle:

* On side opposite carriage, hang the knot below the end ndl; K 1 R. ** Repeat from * to ** to end of rib at ankle (________ (O + P + S) more rows).

Without removing the stitches from the knitting, carefully turn the slipper inside out so that the back ankle is behind the stitches on the needles; hang a small weight on the back ankle to hold it out of the way.

Convert every other st for last ________ (O) R from knit to purl for 1x1 rib.

K 3 R for roll cuff. See Variations on page 5 for garter stitch edge as shown in picture.

Bind off:

Starting on carriage side, manually K end ndl; * transfer st from end ndl to next ndl and move empty ndl out of work; manually K end ndl. ** Repeat from * to ** across row. Cut yarn and pull yarn tail through last st.

Tips

Choose your weights carefully; the Bond hem with all 4 bars is too heavy. I used three claw weights, moving them up frequently – as often as every row when short-rowing the heel and toe.

It will be a lot easier to do the seams if you use Heidi’s bobby pin technique[1] to mark the knots. Be sure to mark the knots only when the end needle was in work on the previous row. E.g., when starting heel and toe shaping, mark the knot just before putting the end needle into HP; do not mark the knot when putting the end needle back into WP. Since the cuff is not seamed at the top, do not start marking knots until you just before the second row of rib.

Variations

For a more decorative rib:

Round pattern variable K up or down to the nearest even number.

On every other rib row, do a 1x1 cable on the center two needles; working toward each edge, skip one needle and do another 1x1 cable. Do not do a cable on the two end needles.

After knitting the rib rows, transform the skipped stitches from knit to purl.

For a garter stitch edge on the cuff, replace the first and last 3 rows with 2 rows of garter stitch:

If you have a garter bar, K 1 R. Turn knitting with garter bar and K 1 R. Turn knitting with garter bar and continue with rest of pattern.

If you do not have a garter bar, K 2 R. Convert every stitch on the last R from knit to purl. Continue with rest of pattern.

Abbreviations

FWP forward (upper) working position

HP hold position

K knit

ndl needle

R row

ss stockinette stitch

st stitch

WP working position

WPI wraps per inch

Questions or comments?

Submit questions and comments via email to the webmaster.

This pattern or any portion thereof may be reproduced and redistributed free of charge in electronic or printed form provided that this copyright notice appears in tact on the last page. This pattern may not be sold, nor may it be included in any for-sale publication or product.

Items made from this pattern may be sold for profit by non-retail individuals and organizations provided that the following conditions are met:

1. The items must be tagged as “Knitfits Simple Sock”.

2. The knitter and/or seller shall neither implicitly nor explicitly claim the design to be their own.

All inquiries regarding copyright restrictions should be submitted via email to the author.

Measurements For Sample Slipper

Foot measurements

A: Length of foot 9

B: Circumference around ankle 7

C: Diagonal circumference around ankle and 11

heel

D: Circumference around ball of foot 8 1/2

E: Distance from ankle to floor 4 1/2

F: Slipper length (A minus 1”) 8

G: C * .80 8 3/4

H: Larger of B, D and G minus 1” 7 3/4

Gauge

I: Rows per inch: 5.25

J: Stitches per inch: 3.5

Pattern Calculations

K: # stitches to cast on (H * J / 2) 13

(round up or down to an odd number)

L: K / 3 5

(round up or down to an odd number)

M: # decreases for heel/toe (K - L) 8

N: Leg length (E * I) 24

(round up to whole number)

O: Ribbing length (I * 1.5) 8

(round up to whole number)

P: Ankle length (N – O - M) 8

Q: Length of sole from heel to toe (F * I) 42

(round down to whole number)

R: Heel/toe rows (L * 2) 10

S: Length of sole between heel and toe (Q - R) 32