All through the Winter Solstice 2013 (when I watched vigil on the longest night), all through Christmas break and all the preceding for-Christmas knitting marathons - I've wanted to make slippers against my cold wood floors. Just finally got around to it yesterday, after spending a few hours reading other designers' patterns. Here's what I came up with after some trial and error.
Cold Afternoon Slippers
Yarn: Bernat Roving.
I used the multicolored vareigated, held double (center pull strand and outside-wrap strand), as recommended by Knitting Daily. One skein per slipper.
Update: Unfortunately, that yarn isn't what it used to be. For reference: I used an all-wool pencil roving yarn, worsted weight.
I used the multicolored vareigated, held double (center pull strand and outside-wrap strand), as recommended by Knitting Daily. One skein per slipper.
Update: Unfortunately, that yarn isn't what it used to be. For reference: I used an all-wool pencil roving yarn, worsted weight.
Needles: Size 11 circulars, 16" cable.
Even this short cable is a smidge too long for the round, but Magic Loop is your friend. Link: http://www.knittingdaily.com/blogs/daily/archive/2009/09/16/the-magical-magic-loop.aspx
This is going to be a little tricky: my increases for this pattern split the two strands that are otherwise held together to work them independently (with doubled strand). I'm calling this both "knit through individual" and "knit half." Hope this makes sense, and please PM me if I lost you.
Directions
Directions
Using the Magic Circle (aka Disappearing Loop) cast-on, CO 4 (w/ doubled).
It's not super complicated - the gist is: make a loop, and wrap stitches around that loop. When you've knitted a round or two, pull the tail, and that first loop will disappear into nothing. Here's a tutorial: http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/02/casting-on-from-middle-disappearing.html
It's not super complicated - the gist is: make a loop, and wrap stitches around that loop. When you've knitted a round or two, pull the tail, and that first loop will disappear into nothing. Here's a tutorial: http://techknitting.blogspot.com/2007/02/casting-on-from-middle-disappearing.html
Round 1: k through each individual strand (increase to 8 sts)
Round 2: k 1 (through both), k half/k half* 12 sts. PM at beginning of round.
Round 3: k1, k half/k half* 18 sts
Round 4: k1, k half/k half* 27 sts
Foot body:
PM after 13 sts. Work the sts at the beginning of the round TBL so they twist - this will increase the durability of the sole.
K even until the tube is long enough to reach the instep. Mine's about 24 rounds.
Place non-twisted sts on holder.
Heel:
Working in Stockinette (smooth face, k on rs and p on ws), alternate between the following pairs of rounds until the heel cup reaches the back of the heel.
k to last 3, ssk, k \
p to last 3, p2tog, p /
s1, k all \
s1, p all /
Gusset:
Pick up sts on each side of the heel - should be 3-4 - and also put the live instep sts on the cables.
Work as follows:
Work ONE pick-up st, then turn.
Slip the new st, turn and work. Repeat this order (s1, work even, work 1 pick-up, turn) until all pick-ups are worked.
Work ONE pick-up st, then turn.
Slip the new st, turn and work. Repeat this order (s1, work even, work 1 pick-up, turn) until all pick-ups are worked.
Work half the live instep sts, turn. Work through the other half.
By now, you'll be running very low on yarn. Keep working this way (s1, work even) until all yarn is gone. Mine ended at slightly different places.
Put live sts on decorative non-felting (acrylic is good here) yarn, cut long enough for drawstring tie and a knot(s) to secure it in place. I like Hometown USA for this purpose: It's thick, brightly colored, and plentiful in my yarn stash.
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