purlJam

# Striped Sailor Slippers

A beginner-friendly slipper pattern featuring classic nautical stripes. These cozy slippers are knit flat in simple garter stitch, then folded and seamed—no complicated shaping required! Perfect for your first slipper project.

## SIZES
Child (Adult S/M, Adult L/XL)

**Finished Measurements:**
- Foot Length: 6 (9, 10)"
- Foot Width: 3 (4, 4.5)"

## MATERIALS
**Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn in 2 colors
- Color A (Main Color - traditionally navy or red): 50 (80, 100) yards
- Color B (Contrast Color - traditionally white): 50 (80, 100) yards

**Suggested Yarn:** Any worsted weight acrylic or wool blend suitable for slippers

**Needles:** US 8 (5 mm) straight or circular needles (used flat)

**Notions:** 
- Yarn needle for seaming
- Scissors
- Stitch markers (optional, for marking fold line)

## GAUGE
18 sts and 36 rows = 4" in garter stitch (all rows knit)

**Gauge is important for proper fit.** Take time to check your gauge and adjust needle size if necessary.

## ABBREVIATIONS
- k: knit
- st(s): stitch(es)
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side

## PATTERN NOTES
- Slippers are worked flat as a rectangle from toe to heel in garter stitch (knit every row).
- The rectangle is folded in half widthwise and seamed along the back heel and bottom of foot.
- Stripe pattern creates a nautical look—carry the non-working color loosely up the side edge rather than cutting.
- When changing colors, simply drop the old color and pick up the new color, twisting yarns to prevent holes.
- All sizes follow the same stripe sequence; only the stitch and row counts differ.

## STRIPE PATTERN
Work in garter stitch (knit every row) in the following stripe sequence:
- 8 rows Color A
- 8 rows Color B

Repeat this 8-row stripe pattern throughout.

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## INSTRUCTIONS

### SLIPPER (make 2)

**CAST ON**
With Color A, cast on 27 (36, 41) sts.

**BODY**
Work in garter stitch (knit every row) following the Stripe Pattern for 54 (81, 90) rows total, ending after completing a full 8-row stripe.

*Stitch count verification: 27 (36, 41) sts throughout*

**Row count breakdown by size:**
- Child: 54 rows = 6 complete stripes + 6 rows (48 + 6)
- Adult S/M: 81 rows = 10 complete stripes + 1 row (80 + 1) 
- Adult L/XL: 90 rows = 11 complete stripes + 2 rows (88 + 2)

**Adjustment note:** For the most symmetrical appearance, you may end after 48 (80, 88) rows for complete stripe sequences. This will make slippers approximately 0.25" shorter.

Bind off all sts loosely. Cut yarn, leaving a 24" tail for seaming.

### FINISHING

**BLOCKING (optional but recommended)**
Gently steam or wet block rectangles to measurements, laying flat to dry.

**SEAMING**

1. **Fold the rectangle:** Fold the knitted rectangle in half widthwise (bringing toe to heel), with RS (the side you prefer) facing out. The fold creates the toe end of the slipper.

2. **Mark seam placement:** The folded edge is the toe. You will seam along two edges:
   - The back edge (heel seam): runs perpendicular to the stripes
   - The bottom edge (foot seam): runs parallel to the stripes from heel toward toe

3. **Heel seam:** Using the yarn tail and yarn needle, seam the back edge (heel) closed using mattress stitch or whip stitch. This seam should measure 3 (4, 4.5)" long.
   - *For beginners: Whip stitch is easiest—simply stitch through both layers from WS, working from bottom to top.*

4. **Foot seam:** Starting at the heel, seam along the bottom edge toward the toe for approximately 2 (3, 3.5)", leaving the front 1 (1.5, 2)" open for the foot opening.
   - *The exact amount to leave open can be adjusted to preference; more opening = easier to slip on but less snug fit.*

5. **Weave in ends:** Weave in all remaining ends securely on the WS.

### SIZING ADJUSTMENTS

**For a longer slipper:** Add 8 rows (1 complete stripe) for each additional 0.75-1" of length desired.

**For a wider slipper:** Cast on 4-5 more stitches. Every 4-5 sts adds approximately 1" to width.

**For a narrower slipper:** Cast on 4-5 fewer stitches.

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## CARE INSTRUCTIONS
Hand wash in cool water and lay flat to dry. Reshape while damp if needed.

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## ABBREVIATIONS REFERENCE
- k = knit
- st(s) = stitch(es)  
- RS = right side
- WS = wrong side

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## SKILL LEVEL
**Beginner** - Requires basic knitting knowledge (cast on, knit stitch, bind off, simple seaming)

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## DESIGN NOTES
These slippers embrace simplicity! The garter stitch creates a thick, cushiony fabric perfect for slippers, while the stripes add personality. Feel free to experiment with color combinations—try pink and white for a nautical twist, or gray and yellow for a modern look. The rectangular construction means you can easily adjust sizing by adding or removing rows and stitches.

**Yarn substitution tip:** Choose a yarn that's durable and comfortable against skin. Wool blends provide warmth and shape retention, while acrylic offers easy care and affordability.

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**Pattern Math Verification:**

Child Size:
- Cast on: 27 sts
- Width check: 27 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 6" total width ÷ 2 (folded) = 3" ✓
- Rows: 54 rows
- Length check: 54 rows ÷ 9 rows/inch = 6" ✓

Adult S/M:
- Cast on: 36 sts  
- Width check: 36 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 8" total width ÷ 2 (folded) = 4" ✓
- Rows: 81 rows
- Length check: 81 rows ÷ 9 rows/inch = 9" ✓

Adult L/XL:
- Cast on: 41 sts
- Width check: 41 sts ÷ 4.5 sts/inch = 9.1" total width ÷ 2 (folded) = 4.55" ≈ 4.5" ✓
- Rows: 90 rows  
- Length check: 90 rows ÷ 9 rows/inch = 10" ✓