Knitting Project: Basic Felted Slippers

Slippers make the perfect winter knitting project, whether you're a beginning or experienced knitter. With the knit stitch and some practice picking up stitches, you can make a pair of basic slippers to fit the recipient with ease. By felting, you eliminate the need for perfection and allow the felting process to help you produce a comfy pair of slippers.

Materials:

100-200 yards of heavy worsted or chunky weight yarn; 100% wool for felting is required

Darning Needle

6 mm circular needle with a 16-24 inch cord (you'll knit some of the project flat, and some in the round)

Directions:

Cast on 15 stitches.

Knit back and forth on these 15 needles until approximately 3-4 inches longer than the recipient's foot. Bind off loosely. This will be the bottom of the slipper.

Pick up stitches around the bottom of the slipper. The number of stitches will vary depending on how many rows you knit to get your desired length. In general, pick up one stitch for every hole around the entire foot.

Join for knitting in the round.

Knit for approximately 4-5 inches, and then bind off loosely.

Now, select one short side of the slipper to be the end where the toes will be. Pick up one stitch for every hole along the top of the slipper (where you just bound off). Knit back and forth on these stitches for approximately ¾ of the length of the slipper and bind off loosely.

Next, you'll need to seam the flap to the sides of the slipper, making sure to leave enough room for the recipient to slip their foot into the slipper.

Repeat the above directions for a second slipper.

Directions for Felting:

These slippers have been knit large on purpose, to allow you to felt them. Wash slippers at the same time in order to ensure that they end up the same size. Felting is easily managed in a washing machine with hot water and high agitation. Be sure to check your slippers regularly in order to check that you have attained the required length for your recipient.

Allow slippers to dry naturally, stuffing them with something to form them to the correct dimensions for your recipient's foot.

Final Notes:

These basic directions for a pair of slippers can easily be modified and adapted to preference. In addition, there are a variety of more advanced slipper patterns (some felted and some not felted) available on the Internet for knitters looking for a more sleek/fitted slipper.