purlJam

# **SHAPED SLIPPER WITH FELTED SOLE**

A sophisticated slipper design featuring anatomically-shaped knitted side panels that attach to a durable felted sole. The panels incorporate short-row heel shaping and graduated toe decreases for a professional, tailored fit.

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## MATERIALS

**Yarn**: 90-120m of 12-14 ply (bulky weight) yarn
- Small: 90m
- Medium: 100m  
- Large: 120m

*Sample shown in pure wool 12 ply bulky*

**Needles**: 5mm straight or circular needles (or size needed to obtain tension)

**Notions**:
- Tapestry needle for sewing
- Stitch markers
- Pre-made felted soles OR materials to create felted soles:
  - Merino wool roving (approximately 50g per sole)
  - Bubble wrap and fabric mesh for felting
  - Template for sole shape
- Contrasting yarn for blanket stitch (optional - can use project yarn)

**Felted Soles**: 
- Small: 22-23cm length × 8-9cm widest width
- Medium: 24-25cm length × 9-10cm widest width  
- Large: 26-27cm length × 10-11cm widest width

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## TENSION

**16 sts × 22 rows = 10cm** in stocking stitch on 5mm needles after blocking

*Tension is critical for proper fit. Take time to check your tension and adjust needle size if necessary.*

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## SIZES

- **Small**: Fits UK shoe sizes 3-4 (EU 36-37, foot length 22-23cm)
- **Medium**: Fits UK shoe sizes 5-6 (EU 38-39, foot length 24-25cm)
- **Large**: Fits UK shoe sizes 7-8 (EU 40-42, foot length 26-27cm)

*Instructions are written for Small, with Medium and Large in parentheses: Small (Medium, Large)*

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## ABBREVIATIONS

- **k**: knit
- **p**: purl
- **st(s)**: stitch(es)
- **RS**: right side
- **WS**: wrong side
- **kfb**: knit into front and back of stitch (1 st increased)
- **k2tog**: knit 2 stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **ssk**: slip, slip, knit slipped stitches together (1 st decreased)
- **w&t**: wrap and turn (short-row technique)
- **pm**: place marker
- **sm**: slip marker
- **st st**: stocking stitch (knit on RS, purl on WS)

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## PATTERN NOTES

**Construction**: Each slipper consists of two side panels (left and right) that are knitted flat from heel to toe. The panels wrap around the foot and are sewn to a pre-made felted sole using blanket stitch.

**Short Rows**: This pattern uses wrap and turn (w&t) short rows for heel shaping. When working across wrapped stitches in subsequent rows, pick up the wrap and knit/purl it together with the wrapped stitch to avoid holes.

**Shaping**: The toe shaping uses paired decreases (ssk at beginning, k2tog at end) for a professional finish. Decreases are worked on RS rows only.

**Felted Soles**: You may purchase pre-made felted soles or create your own using wet-felting techniques with wool roving. Ensure soles are firm and approximately 5-6mm thick for durability.

**Blanket Stitch**: Use a tapestry needle and yarn (doubled for extra strength) to attach panels to sole. Work blanket stitches approximately 5mm apart and 3-4mm from edge.

**Make Two**: You will make both a LEFT and RIGHT panel for each slipper. Instructions are provided for both.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### LEFT SIDE PANEL

**Cast On and Heel Shaping**

Cast on 16 (18, 20) sts using 5mm needles.

*Row 1 (RS)*: Knit.
*Row 2 (WS)*: Purl.

**Short-Row Heel Shaping** (creates depth at heel):
*Short Row 1 (RS)*: K12 (14, 16), w&t.
*Short Row 2 (WS)*: P8 (10, 12), w&t.
*Short Row 3*: K to wrapped st, pick up wrap and knit together with st, k1, w&t.
*Short Row 4*: P to wrapped st, pick up wrap and purl together with st, p1, w&t.

Repeat Short Rows 3-4 once more.

*Next Row (RS)*: K to wrapped st, pick up wrap and knit together with st, k to end.
*Next Row (WS)*: P to wrapped st, pick up wrap and purl together with st, p to end.

**Math check**: You should have 16 (18, 20) sts.

**Side Increases** (creates width for top of foot):

*Row 1 (RS)*: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. [18 (20, 22) sts]
*Row 2 and all WS rows*: Purl.
*Row 3*: Knit.
*Row 5*: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. [20 (22, 24) sts]
*Row 7*: Knit.
*Row 9*: K1, kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. [22 (24, 26) sts]
*Row 10*: Purl.

**Math check**: You now have 22 (24, 26) sts after 3 increase rows.

**Straight Section** (instep):

Work 18 (20, 24) rows in st st (knit on RS, purl on WS), beginning with a RS row.

**Toe Shaping**:

*Row 1 (RS)*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [20 (22, 24) sts]
*Row 2 and all WS rows*: Purl.
*Row 3*: Knit.
*Row 5*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [18 (20, 22) sts]
*Row 7*: Knit.
*Row 9*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [16 (18, 20) sts]
*Row 11*: Knit.
*Row 13*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [14 (16, 18) sts]
*Row 15*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [12 (14, 16) sts]
*Row 17*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [10 (12, 14) sts]
*Row 19*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [8 (10, 12) sts]
*Row 21*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [6 (8, 10) sts]

**For Small only**:
*Row 23*: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. [4 sts]
*Row 24*: Purl.
*Row 25*: Ssk, k2tog. [2 sts]
*Row 26*: P2tog. [1 st]
Cut yarn and pull through final stitch.

**For Medium only**:
*Row 23*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [6 sts]
*Row 24*: Purl.
*Row 25*: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. [4 sts]
*Row 26*: Purl.
*Row 27*: Ssk, k2tog. [2 sts]
*Row 28*: P2tog. [1 st]
Cut yarn and pull through final stitch.

**For Large only**:
*Row 23*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [8 sts]
*Row 24*: Purl.
*Row 25*: K1, ssk, k to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. [6 sts]
*Row 26*: Purl.
*Row 27*: K1, ssk, k2tog, k1. [4 sts]
*Row 28*: Purl.
*Row 29*: Ssk, k2tog. [2 sts]
*Row 30*: P2tog. [1 st]
Cut yarn and pull through final stitch.

**Math verification**: All sizes decrease from 22 (24, 26) sts to 1 st through graduated decreases.

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### RIGHT SIDE PANEL

Work exactly as for Left Side Panel. The panels are symmetrical and will be positioned as mirror images when attached to the sole.

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## FINISHING

### Blocking

1. Weave in all ends on panels.
2. Soak panels in lukewarm water for 10 minutes.
3. Roll in a towel to remove excess water.
4. Pin panels flat to finished dimensions, ensuring straight edges and smooth shaping.
5. Allow to dry completely (24-48 hours).

**Finished Panel Dimensions (approximate)**:
- Length from heel to toe: 18 (20, 22)cm
- Width at widest point: 14 (15, 16)cm

### Preparing Felted Soles

If creating your own felted soles:
1. Create sole template by tracing foot outline, adding 5mm all around.
2. Layer wool roving in perpendicular layers (4-5 layers) on bubble wrap.
3. Wet with hot soapy water and felt by rubbing vigorously for 15-20 minutes.
4. Check size regularly and felt until firm and approximately 20% smaller than template.
5. Rinse, reshape, and dry completely.
6. Trim edges if needed for smooth finish.

### Attaching Panels to Sole

1. **Position Left Panel**: Place left sole with toes pointing away from you. Position left panel with RS facing up, heel end at heel of sole, toe end at toe of sole. The panel should wrap from the left edge of the sole, across the top of where the foot will sit, to the right edge of the sole.

2. **Pin in Place**: Starting at heel, pin the cast-on edge along the left edge of the sole. Continue pinning along the left side, across toe, and down right side. The panel should follow the curve of the sole naturally. Ease any fullness around curves.

3. **Blanket Stitch Attachment**: 
   - Thread tapestry needle with yarn (doubled for strength).
   - Starting at heel, work blanket stitch approximately 5mm apart, catching both the knitted edge and the felted sole about 3-4mm from edge.
   - Work consistently around entire panel perimeter.
   - At toe, ensure decreases lie flat and smooth.
   
4. **Repeat for Right Panel**: Attach right panel to right sole in the same manner.

**Blanket Stitch Tutorial** (if needed):
- Bring needle up through sole and panel from bottom
- Take needle over edge and insert from bottom again 5mm along
- Before pulling tight, pass needle through the loop created
- Pull snug but not tight
- Repeat

### Final Touches

1. Check all seams are secure with no gaps.
2. Weave in any remaining ends on WS between panel and sole.
3. Steam lightly if needed to smooth any puckering (test on swatch first).
4. Optional: Add non-slip sole grips or sew leather sole protectors to bottom for durability.

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## DESIGN NOTES

**Customisation Options**:
- Add decorative embroidery or duplicate stitch designs to panels before attaching
- Use contrasting colour for blanket stitch edging
- Add pompom or tassel embellishment at heel
- Stripe the panels for visual interest

**Care Instructions**:
- Hand wash in cool water with wool-safe detergent
- Roll in towel to remove excess water
- Reshape and air dry flat
- Do not put in dryer or washing machine
- Spot clean felted soles as needed

**Yarn Substitution**:
Any 12-14 ply bulky weight yarn that achieves the correct tension will work. Wool or wool blends are recommended for best wear and shape retention. Pure wool can be lightly felted for extra durability if desired.

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## SIZING ADJUSTMENTS

To adjust length: Add or remove rows in the straight section (instep). Each 2 rows = approximately 1cm in length.

To adjust width: Cast on fewer or more stitches (in multiples of 2) and adjust increase/decrease rows accordingly to maintain shaping proportions.

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*Pattern designed for intermediate knitters. Finished slippers make excellent gifts and provide cosy comfort with the durability of a felted sole.*

**© 2024 Custom Knitting Pattern. For personal use only.**