Graceful Slippers (Knitting Pattern)
Edit on February 26, 2019: I have revised this pattern and included a worsted version, which is now available in my shop. The purchased version also includes a full glossary, notes, and links to relevant tutorials. Available here: www.talenawinters.com/graceful-slippers.
I just recently finished making these for my friend Robin, as a "pamper the new mommy*" present. I have had a couple of requests for the pattern, so here it is.
I have made these slippers several times--they are warm and cozy, and unlike many slipper patterns, I find them very flattering to the feet. Also, the whole project can be completed in 2-4 hours. Despite the fact that for this pair, all I had kicking around was a somewhat masculine green, I "dolled it up" by using a strip of sunflower fabric that I trimmed with pinking shears for my ribbon.
Yarn
Shetland Chunky (75% Acrylic/25% Wool, 135 m/148 yds), or any yarn with a similar gauge. (I recommend something with some wool in it for durability.) These slippers were in the Sage Green colourway. I used less than half of a 100g (3 1/2 oz.) ball for these, so they are great stash-busters!
Other supplies
6 mm (size 10) straight needles, yarn needle, approx. 18"-20" ribbon or decorated cotton fabric (trimmed with pinking shears), 2 stitch markers (small pieces of yarn tied in a loop will do)
Gauge
16 sts & 24 rows=4"/10 cm. over stockinette stitch using 6 mm (size 10) needles. While the gauge on this pattern is somewhat forgiving, do take time to check it.
Notes
There are two sizes in this pattern, Medium (ladies' size 6-8) and Large (ladies' size 9-10). After making this pattern once, you will find it very easy to alter to any size you need by adjusting the number of cast-on stitches. Heels should have about 2" of stitches remaining at the shortest section, and toes about 1 1/2".
Stitch Glossary:
W&TK (Wrap & Turn - Knit side)
Move yarn to front (right side) of the work, slip one stitch from left needle to right needle (purl-wise), move yarn to back (wrong side) of work, slip stitch from right needle back to left needle, turn work.
W&TP (Wrap & Turn - Purl side)
Move yarn to back (right side) of work, slip one stitch from left needle to right needle (purl-wise), move yarn to front (wrong side) of work, slip stitch from right needle to left needle, turn work.
Both slippers are created using the same pattern.
Helpful Hint:
While it is not absolutely necessary to use markers to keep track of where you are, you will have to do a lot less "un-knitting" if you do. Place markers on the "inside" of the stitch you just wrapped on the decreases, and on the "outside" of the stitch you just wrapped on the increases.
Cast-On at Cuff:
Cast on 30 (32) sts.
Rw 1 (RS): Knit.
Rw 2: K1, purl to last stitch, K1, turn.
Rw 3: K until second-last st, W&TK.
Rw 4: P until second-last st, W&TP.
Rw 5: K to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, W&TK. (You will be knitting an odd number every time, one st less than last purl row.)
Rw 6: P to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, W&TP. (You will be purling an even number every time, one st less than last knit row.)
Repeat rows 5 & 6 until you purl only 8 stitches across between wrap-and-turns.
Turn Heel:
Next Rw (RS): K8, W&TK. (You will be wrapping the same stitch you already wrapped during the decreases.)
Next Rw (WS): P8, W&TP. (You will be wrapping the same stitch you already wrapped during the decreases.)
Foot increases:
Rw 1: Knit all knit stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, W&TK. (You will be knitting an odd number of stitches, and it will always be one more st than your last purl row).
Rw 2: Purl all purl stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, W&TP. (You will be purling an even number of sts, one more than the last knit row.)
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have wrapped the second-last st on your wrong-side row.
Middle of the foot:
Rw 1: Knit to end.
Rw 2: K1, purl to last stitch, k1.
Repeat rows 1 & 2 one time.
Toe decreases:
Rw 1: K until second-last st, W&TK.
Rw 2: P until second-last st, W&TP.
Rw 3: K to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, W&TK. (You will be knitting an odd number every time, one st less than last purl row.)
Rw 4: P to one stitch before previous wrap-and-turn, W&TP. (You will be purling an even number every time, one st less than last knit row.)
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until you purl only 6 stitches across between wrap-and-turns.
Turn Toe:
Next Rw (RS): K6, W&TK. (You will be wrapping the same stitch you already wrapped during the decreases.)
Next Rw (WS): P6, W&TP. (You will be wrapping the same stitch you already wrapped during the decreases.)
Toe increases:
Rw 1: Knit all knit stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, W&TK. (You will be knitting an odd number of stitches, and it will always be one more st than your last purl row).
Rw 2: Purl all purl stitches, plus the double-wrapped stitch, W&TP. (You will be purling an even number of sts, one more than the last knit row.)
Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have wrapped the second-last st on your wrong-side row.
Next Rw (RS): Knit to end.
Next Rw (WS): K1, p to last st, k1.
Eyelet Row (RS):
SMALL: *K1, yo, k2tog*, repeat to end of row.
LARGE: K1, *k1, yo, k2tog*, repeat to last st, k1.
Next Row (WS): K1, purl to last stitch, k1.
Next Row (RS): Cast off. Weave in ends. Weave ribbon through eyelets, entering from the RS of slipper (should also finish coming out on the RS of slipper). Pull tight and tie in a knot or bow. Ribbons may need to have the ends finished with FrayStop or a rolled, stitched hem.
Please e-mail me if you find any errors in this pattern.
Copyright 2010 Talena Winters. Public use is allowed, but please give credit.
*I'm not sure Robin can be called a "new mommy", since she just had her fifth baby. But she is mommy to a new baby, and I figure that's call for some pampering!
Edit: New photos of another set I made out of Peruvian Highland Wool: