Do you need an inexpensive quick pair of slippers?
Just before Christmas, Mom made some “I want slippers” noises. I also wanted some. My sister and niece wanted some. I found a pattern for crocheted slippers in an old Workbasket magazine and adapted it. If you use RedHeart, the yarn cost for a pair of light green slippers like the one shown below is about $1.67.
Note: Red Heart wears well for afghans, but it doesn’t do well if you walk over concrete. So, these are indoor slippers. Mom wears then as footwarmers in bed.
How to make the $1.67 slippers
Here’s the pattern for a woman’s feet:
Materials:
Roughly 2-3 ounces of Red Heart Worsted weight yarn in a solid color. Scraps of the other color. 1 size G crochet hook.
Gauge: 3 sc=1″.
Directions (Make two):
Start at toe: (Don’t turn while working this.)
- Round 1: Ch 2. Work 8 sc in the first chain.
- Round 2: Work 2 sc in each sc. join with slip stitch. (Optional, mark with safety pin.)
- Round 3: 2sc in next sc, sc in next 1 sc; repeat around. (You increased 4; 12 sc. )
- Round 4: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 2 sc; repeat around. (16 sc.)
- Round 5: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 3 sc; repeat around. (20 sc.)
- Round 6: 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 4 sc; repeat around. (24 sc.)
- Round 7: (optional): 2 sc in next sc, sc in next 11 sc; repeat around. (You increased 2; 26 sc.)
- For small slippers stop increasing now. For larger slippers, work a few more rounds increasing 2 each round until you have 28 for medium and 30 for larger.
- Work evenly in rounds until the length reaches the top of the wearers instep– approximately 4 1/2 inches. (The measurement isn’t that important, but you want both slipper to match. )
You are now going to work the heel. There are two options, and you don’t need to decide which you prefer quite yet.
Options for heel.
Easy option 1: Work even in sc rows until the heel is the length you want for your slipper, always working 1 chain to turn. Count the ch1 as an sc. (Approximately 9 1/4″ from toe to end for mine.) Sew heel seam. Finish off ends.
Shaped option 2: Work even in sc rows until the heel is the 1″ shorter than you want for your slipper. (Approximately 8 1/4″ from toe to end for mine.) Now, shape to “cup” the heel as follows:
Count the total number of scs _____. (Example: 26 including the ch 1 for small.)
Center stitches: 8
To find the number of edge stitches subtract 8 from the total number of stitches: _____ Example: 26-8 = 18 sc.)
then divide by 2. _____ ( Example: 18/2= 9.) This is the number of edge stitches.
You are now going to work decreases in the “center stitches”.
First decrease row:
Sc number of edge stitches (counting the turn chain as a stitch.)
Work 1 sc decrease in the next two stitches. (This is a decrease.)
Work 1 sc in next sc, repeat four times.
Work 1 sc decrease in next two stitches. (This is a decrease.)
Sc number of edge stitches. (You have now reached the edge.)
Notice there are now 9 edge stitches, and 6 “center” stitches.
Second decrease row.
Sc number of edge stitches (counting the turn chain as a stitch.)
Work 1 sc decrease in the next two stitches. (This is a decrease.)
Work 1 sc in next sc, repeat once.
Work 1 sc decrease in next two stitches. (This is a decrease.)
Sc number of edge stitches. (You have now reached the edge.
Third decrease row.
Sc number of edge stitches (counting the turn chain as a stitch.)
Work 1 sc decrease in the next two stitches. (This is a decrease.)
Work 1 sc decrease in next two stitches. (This is a decrease.)
Sc number of edge stitches. (You have now reached the edge.
Sew heel seam. Finish off ends.
You now have a usable slipper. But, lets say you want something prettier. Just add trim!
- Attach yarn at the back seam, work 1 round sc. (I work a decrease at the front of, but it really doesn’t matter. Anchor and break yarn.
- Attach contrast color yarn, work 1 round sc.
- Work 1 round crab stitch. Anchor, break yarn. Tidy up.
Once you get the hang of this, you can make loads of slippers. I wear mind around the house all day, so I’d like more durable soles. I’m going to be working out different designs with soles worked more like the baby booties. The booty designs shown work the sole first, then work “up”. So, I can use a durable yarn for the sole and then switch to a prettier yarn for the top. (I don’t bother for baby booties. Babies can’t walk yet!)
Are you wondering about the booties?
Those booties are from “Annie’s Attic Precious Baby Booties”
. They are pretty cute. The “ballet slipper” type are efficiently designed– and you can easily find that design for free on the web. The pink and white booties are cute but I was aggravated by the inefficient process for crocheting the flange on the pink and white booties. I’m going to re-organize and post a better basic booty design. (Other than the color and trim choices, nearly every one of these bootie is classic design available for free on the web. It’s a bit like socks. Annie’s Attic adds value by a) showing cute color combinations in currently available yarns and b) proof-reading the instructions. )
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Those are so cute and look comfy. The baby booties are adorable, if I could only ever get any of my kids to actually keep their shoes on!
I love slippers and have grown quite the collection of them…though I am hoping though soon that spring is on its way and I can get back into my flip flops and bare feet soon!
Comment by Chelle — 3/8/2009 @ 7:57 pm
Nice little booties. I wonder if you can put some kind of non-skid bottom on them?
Comment by Mrs MJW — 3/18/2009 @ 2:00 pm
Mrs MJW– In fact you can! You can buy stuff at hobby lobby to apply to the bottom of rugs.
Comment by lucia — 3/18/2009 @ 4:28 pm
Great post, very informative. I think a lot of people will find this very useful.Keep post in coming future as well!!!
Comment by Mens Polo — 3/19/2009 @ 3:35 am
thank you very much……..
I am really happy for consumer goods…….
Comment by Consumer Research — 4/2/2009 @ 5:57 pm
Thanks for sharing. The baby booties are so cute!
Comment by Lisa — 4/3/2009 @ 12:00 am
Oh hai!!! You are back. Yay! I’m sure I’ve seen Jim’s sweater more times than you have. LOL I came over because someone from Ravelry asked a question about one of the generators
http://www.ravelry.com/discuss/the-curvalicious-sisterhood/593996/1-25#reply_form
I am now clearing my throat(unfortunately I don’t have a mind clearing process) to salute you in haiku.
Comment by Kathrows — 4/5/2009 @ 7:14 pm
Where’d it go???
Lucia Liljegren
generators and haiku
so she still loves us
Comment by Kathrows — 4/5/2009 @ 7:18 pm
I had the worst experience with Annie’s Attic!
Comment by laprincessa — 4/13/2009 @ 3:50 pm
I AM LOOKING FOR A PATTERN I REMEMBER AS “WOOLLY LAMB SLIPPER”. IT’S A BALLET STYLE WITH 4-5 ROWS OF LOOPS AROUND THE TOP. IS THERE ANYTHING LIKE THAT IN YOUR PATTERN BOOK? IF THERE IS I WOULD LIKE TO GET A COPY OF THE PATTERN.
Comment by LANA — 5/6/2009 @ 9:54 pm
these are so adorable! i want to make them right away. I will choose lightweight yarn, since it doesn’t get very cold here in Sedona Arizona. But babies always need booties!
Comment by cate — 6/28/2009 @ 11:51 am
About the non-skid bottoms, I remember reading somewhere that rubber cement works quite well. The advantage of the rubber cement is that it’s cheaper and easier to find than something bought in a craft store.
Comment by Craft Stew — 7/14/2009 @ 3:23 am
What i can say…
With Annie’s Attic I had the worst experience …
Comment by stevie teever — 7/21/2009 @ 1:27 am
Excellent:) How can I buy them? I have
little son:))
Comment by jackson — 7/21/2009 @ 6:25 am
Wow cute and beautiful baby booties…love to have this one for my sisters baby…
Comment by gilbert — 7/21/2009 @ 12:32 pm
What a wonderful gift to give for a baby shower – and save money given the current economic conditions. The booties are just adorable! Knitting gifts instead of buying them saves money and adds a more memorable personal touch.
Comment by I Love Knitting — 7/26/2009 @ 9:12 pm
I love this type of Knitting Baby slippers am also preferred this type of slippers for our babies. Cool post.
Comment by John Peter — 7/27/2009 @ 11:16 pm
The guide you provided is very easy to follow. I would like to try it myself and have a personalized, customized booty for my future kids. This is a very helpful article for new mothers, and even for not-so-new moms who would like to earn from crafts.
Comment by shercy ramos — 8/23/2009 @ 3:57 am
[...] $1.67 Slipper Pattern and Baby Booties. – no script. Do you need an inexpensive quick pair of slippers? Just before Christmas, Mom made some “I want slippers” noises. I also wanted some. My sister and niece wanted some. I found a pattern for crocheted slippers in an old … [...]
Pingback by My First Lesson in Crochet Instructions | Simple Crochet Instructions — 9/14/2009 @ 12:00 pm
I love that pair of booties. It is an ideal gift for my baby. It is nice that you’ve showed us these steps. Thanks.
Comment by hydrofloss — 10/27/2009 @ 4:04 pm
I shared the pattern with my mother and now she plans on making my 3 kids some slippers for Christmas. She loves your site by the way; thanks for sharing.
Comment by Symptoms Of Panic Attacks — 10/28/2009 @ 8:14 am
Hey Gang! Sir Knits-alot here!!! Love the article. We need to educate people that knitting is one of the most affordable hobbies. Sure beats Crocheting!!! The boots are wonderful despite the questionable color choice. I would have done it a little different with a more exciting color to make them sparkle. With that said, the pattern is amazing. Well Done my fellow knitting fiend! Well done indeed!!!
Comment by Sir Knit-alot — 11/28/2009 @ 3:35 pm
Those are nice-looking slippers. I remember one time how I learned how to cross-stitch. Yeah I know this is not knitting but it just reminds me. Ahhh… the things you do when you’re after a woman. LOL! Looking back, I really must’ve looked ridiculous with a needle and a thread. =)
Comment by Mark A — 11/30/2009 @ 9:18 am
I was wondering if you could create or tell me how to use the hat calculator for a tam for a newborn infant I really want to create one for my layettes I sell any and all help would be appreciated.
Comment by Tonya — 12/30/2009 @ 2:27 pm
Hi LUCIA!!!!!!
It’s me, Christine from (formerly) knitting for boozehags! I took a long hiatus- lots of changes in life but I am back to knitting and blogging (Domestic Dutchess)! Of course you were the very first link I put up and I am so glad to see that you’re still here doing your thing.I refer to this blog for just about everything. You are so amazing and I have missed reading! You were always such a great support to me, and I am not sure if I ever thanked you enough, so thank you again! I’m so glad to be back!
So much love for you!
Christine
Comment by Christine Buhagiar — 3/5/2010 @ 12:20 pm
Very nice and cute booties! My wife is currently making one for our baby. Thanks for the post!
Comment by Fat Burning Tips — 3/13/2010 @ 12:51 pm
Thank you, it was really intersting to read.
Comment by Pike — 3/14/2010 @ 8:19 am
How quite it is…and you make it available at really affordable prices…thanks for the information about this.
Comment by Marry — 3/16/2010 @ 12:12 pm
I’d love to have these booties, my feet are always cold! I’m thinking about printing the pattern and giving it to my grandmother, she’s pretty good at knitting.
Thanks for sharing!
Comment by Frank Zweegers — 3/26/2010 @ 6:36 am
came to this blog from the “Mary Ann Raglan” html.
You emphasized geting the correct gauge, which makes sense.
But are you nuts? giving a gauge to the thousandth of a stitch! Who is going to make a swatch 1,000 inches by 1,000 inches? which is the only way to check “Stitch Gauge: 3.579 st/inch; 4.923 row/inch”.
That paragraph makes it impossible to believe you know how to write a pattern. Or, maybe you’re so insecure about the pattern that you need to make sure no one can say they followed the instructions and had a bad result, because the pattern is written to make it virtually impracticable.
Comment by jenna — 4/4/2010 @ 7:31 pm
Comfort should be one of the considerations in buying or choosing a footwear for your kids. You also can make one if you know how to sew and know how to follow instructions like this blog. In making one, you can personalize for your child.
Comment by kids flip flops — 8/19/2010 @ 6:05 am