Knitted Ballerina Slippers (Free Pattern)

SIZE:
To fit average women’s shoe sizes
Length, unstretched: 9-1/2"
Width, unstretched: 4"
 
TECHNIQUES USED:
M1 Increase
Ssk Decrease
K2tog Decrease
Garter Stitch Seam
Mattress Stitch Seam
Whip Stitch
YARN:
Debbie Bliss Rialto Chunky
Main color: Ruby (015)
Amount: 2 x 1-3/4 ounces (50 g) balls
 
KNITTING NEEDLES & EXTRAS:
Pair of size 10 (6 mm) knitting needles
Pair of size 6 (4 mm) knitting needles, for
 
BOWS (optional)
Small amount of contrasting double-knitting weight yarn, for i-cord bows (optional)
Two stitch markers and stitch holder
Two 5/8" wooden buttons
 
GAUGE:
13-1/2 sts to 4" measured over garter stitch using size 10 (6 mm) needles.

TO MAKE THE LEFT SLIPPER
Using size 10 (6 mm) needles and main
Color, cast on 61 sts.
Sole
Row 1 (RS): K61.
Row 2: K1, M1, k59, M1, k1. (63 sts)
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: K1, M1, k61, M1, k1. (65 sts)
Work 8 rows in garter st (knit every row).
Upper
Row 1 (RS): K26, place marker (pm),
K13, pm, k26.
Rows 2, 4, and 6: Purl, slipping
Markers when reached.
Row 3: K24, ssk, slip marker (sm),
K2tog, k9, ssk, sm, k2tog, k24. (61 sts)
Row 5: K23, ssk, sm, k2tog, k5, ssk,
Sm, k2tog, k23. (57 sts)
Row 7: K22, ssk, sm, k2tog, k1, ssk,
Sm, k2tog, k22. (53 sts)
Row 8: Knit.
Row 9 (RS): K10, bind off next 33
Sts, k to end (10 sts now on needle after bind-off).**
 
STRAP
Row 1 (WS): K10, cast on 15 sts
Onto right needle, slip remaining 10
Sts onto a stitch holder. (25 sts)
Turn and cont on these 25 sts only.
Row 2: K25.
Row 3 (buttonhole): K23, yo, ssk.
Row 4: K25.
Bind off all 25 sts.
Return to sts on stitch holder and with WS facing, rejoin main color and knit all 10 sts from stitch holder.
Work 3 rows in garter stitch (knit every row).
Bind off.

TO MAKE THE RIGHT SLIPPER
Work as for Left Slipper to **.
Next row (WS): K10, slip remaining
10 sts onto a stitch holder.
Turn and cont on these 10 sts only.
Work 3 rows in garter stitch (knit every row).
Bind off.
 
STRAP
Row 1 (WS): Using size 10 (6 mm)
Needles and main color, cast on 15 sts onto right needle, then with same needle and WS facing, knit all 10 sts from stitch holder. (25 sts)
Row 2: K25.
Row 3 (buttonhole): k2tog, yo,
K23.
Row 4: K25.
Bind off all 25 sts.

TO SEW THE SEAMS
Fold the finished slipper piece in half lengthwise with right sides together, and sew the cast-on edges together with a simple whip stitch.
 
Turn the slipper right side out so the right side is facing you and use a garter stitch seam to sew the garter stitch sole of the heel.
 
Insert the needle into the top loop of the stitch on one side and then in the bottom loop of the corresponding stitch on the other side (1 and 2).
 
Continue alternating from side to side. When you reach the upper (St st) area of the slipper, switch to mattress stitch to complete the heel
Seam.
 
Insert the needle under the horizontal bar between the first and
Second stitches and then under the bar on the corresponding stitch on
The other side (3 and 4).
 
Continue alternating from side to side.

TO FINISH
Sew a small button onto the outside edge of each slipper to correspond with the buttonhole.
 
If desired, use size 6 (4 mm) needles and contrasting double knitting-weight yarn to make two 3-stitch I-cords 11" long for bows. Tie in bows and sew one to the front of each slipper.
 
Weave in any stray yarn ends.

Excerpted with permission from Hooked on Knitting: 20 Fresh and Funky Hand-Knit Designs (Simple Makes)