Blackledge - 25 knitted slippers: fun & stylish designs for clogs, moccasins, boots, animal slippers, ... loafers, & more

Acknowledgments F irst and foremost I want to thank my mother, who has always supported me, even when instead of some practical career, I decided to go into theatrical design, then fine arts. Later, she helped me open a yarn shop and supported my transition into the design side of the business. I know Ive given her some sleepless nights, but shes always given me sound advice and a supportive hand when I needed it most. Thank you. I would also like to extend big thanks to Amanda Lipsey, who took my slippers and made them look fabulous in the photos. Also to Mary Catherine Gerughty, who helped me at a moment when I was absolutely stumped on writing introductions to the patterns. They would not be nearly as interesting without her help.

I would also like to thank my editors, Pam Hoenig and Candi Derr, who also showed a great deal of patience when my life took some crazy turns over the last year and this new author suddenly had more things on her plate than she could easily balance. I also want to recognize Edna Berkey, Laurel Brown, Nina Brown, Amy Fleming, Jamie Fulcher, and Doreen Smith, who all helped me with the knitting of the samples in the book and proofing of the patterns. Your keen eyes and knitting needles helped each pattern come to shape and really shine. I want to thank Yonca Ozbelli and the team at Universal Yarns, who brought me to beautiful North Carolina and my first job as a full-time designer. Of course I cant forget everyone at Willow Yarns, who push me every day to meet impossible goals and stretch my designing skills to new heights as their design coordinator. Working to help build such a wonderful new yarn company has been an absolute joy.

Introduction D esigning 25 unique slipper patterns was one of the more daunting things Ive been asked to do as a designer. I love both designing and knitting all sorts of projects. Lace shawls, socks, mittens, scarves, sweaters, and even a couple of skirts have all found their way onto my needles in the past. I love the challenge of a complex colorwork pattern and the mindless bliss of an 11-foot-long garter stitch scarf. But designing slippers proved to be more challenging than many of the designs Ive done in the past. There are so many ways to form and shape soles, insteps, heels, and cuffs. And fit was a challenge all on its own! Ive knitted several slippers in the past that were cute, but didnt stay on, or didnt fit well.

I wanted to make sure the slippers in my book were fun to knit and fun to wear. This lead to starting over many times until each slipper fit just right. I have had a lot of fun over the last year sketching ideas, bringing a wide range of techniques and skill levels to my designs. Even a brand-new knitter can knit the Two-Tone Slippers, while a knitter looking for a challenge might enjoy the Night Owl Boots or Metroline. Everyone can enjoy the classic cables of Caramel Twist or go a bit more zesty with the short-row shaping of the Tilted Espadrilles. Knit your favorite kid a pair of Steggy slippers or Buckaroo Boots, and then satisfy your inner child with Foxy Slippers or Elfkin.

You can even surprise a mother and daughter with a matched set of Mary Janes or a comfortable pair of Hibernation Boots. Whatever your knitting fancy, I believe youll find a pair of slippers to match!

C ant decide what color to make your slippers? Dont! These felted slippers change colors about halfway through, making them great for using your leftover yarn from other projects. Knit up a flock of slippers for the whole family, and everyone can enjoy the warmth that thick, felted wool has to offer. Finished Measurements Childrens Small (Childrens Medium, Childrens Large, Womens Small, Womens Medium, Womens Large,Mens Small, Mens Medium, Mens Large) Foot length: 6 (7, 8, 9, 9, 10,11, 11, 12)"/15 (18, 20.5, 23, 24, 25.5,28, 29, 30.5) cm

Yarn Universal Yarn Deluxe Chunky (100% wool; 3.5 oz/100 g; 120 yd/110 m) Color A: 1 ball all sizes Color B: 1 (1, 1, 1, 1, 2,2, 2, 2) balls Shown in: Childrens Small, 71662 Turquoise (A), 22286 Lime Tree (B); Childrens Large, 22280 Blue Chic (A), 22287 Cerise (B) Needles & Other Materials U.S. size 10 (6 mm) knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge Tapestry needle Stitch markers Small amount of 100% cotton yarn Gauge 13 sts and 27 rows in garter st before felting = 4"/10 cm 17 sts and 38 rows in garter st after felting = 4"/10 cm

Rep last 2 rows 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2,2, 2, 2) more times26 (28, 30, 32, 34, 38,38, 40, 42) sts. Knit 20 (22, 24, 26, 26, 28,30, 30, 32) rows. Cut A, change to B. Knit 8 (8, 8, 14, 14, 14,18, 18, 18) rows. Shape Instep Row 1: K2, m1, knit to last 2 sts, m1, k22 sts incd. Row 2: Knit.

Rep last 2 rows 2 (2, 3, 3, 4, 4,4, 5, 5) times32 (34, 38, 40, 44, 48,48, 52, 54) sts. Knit 14 (22, 26, 28, 32, 32,36, 36, 38) rows. Shape Heel Row 1: Knit to marker, k2tog, knit to 2 sts before marker, ssk, knit to end2 sts decd. Row 2: Knit. Rep last 2 rows 1 (1, 1, 2, 2, 2,3, 3, 3) more times28 (30, 34, 34, 38, 42,40, 44, 46) sts. Bind off all sts.

Finishing Flatten cast-on sts with edges on center top, and sew toe closed. Sew top seam from toe to beginning of instep shaping. Weave in ends. Measure the foot of the intended recipient of the slippers. With the foot flat on the floor, measure around the whole foot. If you are unable to measure the foot of the recipient, you can use these average lengths: 14 (16, 18, 20, 21, 22,25, 26, 27)"/35.5 (40.5, 45.5, 51, 53.5, 56,63.5, 66, 70) cm.

Cut a length of cotton yarn 4"/10 cm longer than the measurement. Starting at the toe seam, thread the cotton yarn along the toe seam, then following the same stitch around, through a column of purl bumps around the slipper back to the toe seam. Hold both ends together and tie a knot 2"/5 cm from the end. The slipper is now cinched to the finished foot size. With a second piece of cotton yarn, run through the purl bumps at the edge around the leg opening. Cinch until it is cinched approximately the same amount as the lower piece of cotton.

Knot off and trim cotton yarn. This will help keep the edge from flaring and help the slipper felt to the correct size. Felt according to the instructions on .