How to Knit Wool Slippers

The Internet offers many free patterns for knit slippers for children, women and men. This free pattern for children's puppy slippers is available from Lion Brand Yarn and assumes you know a few basic stitches. We've spelled out the instructions without abbreviations for a child ranging from 1 to 4 years old (a finished foot length of 4 3/4 to 6 inches). The pattern is written for the smallest size, with changes for the larger sizes in parentheses (when only one number is given, use it for all sizes). See the Resources section for other patterns.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 1 to 2 skeins or balls of 100% nylon, cream-colored, light worsted-weight yarn (weight category 3)
• 1 ball or skein of black yarn, same type as above
• 1 set of knitting needles, size 9 (5.5 mm)
• Stitch holders
• Stitch markers
• Large-eye blunt needles
• 2 black half-ball buttons 1/2 inch (13 mm) in diameter
• Sewing needle and thread

1. Use this gauge for a reference on size: 22 stitches by 25 rows = 5 inches in stockinette stitch (knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side) using two strands of the cream yarn held together.

2. Make your booties. Holding two strands of the cream yarn, cast on 24 stitches for a 1-year-old (26 stitches for a 2-year-old, 28 for a 3-year-old, 30 stitches for a 4-year-old). In Row 1, knit one stitch. In Row 2, knit two stitches, then purl 20 for a 1-year-old (purl 22, 24 or 26 for larger sizes, respectively); knit two more stitches. Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until piece measures 2 1/2 inches, ending with a wrong-side row. Continue in stockinette stitch until piece measures 4 1/2 inches for a 1-year-old (5 inches, 5 1/4 inches or 5 1/2 inches for larger sizes), ending with a wrong-side row. In the next row, knit two stitches together across 12 stitches for a 1-year-old (13, 14 or 15 stitches for larger sizes). In the following row, purl; cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tightly to secure.

3. Finish the booties. Fold piece in half; sew back seam. Then sew the top seam up to the knit stitches, leaving a 2 1/2-inch opening.

4. Make four ears. For each ear, hold two strands of the black yarn together and cast on five stitches. Knit 6 rows. In the next row, knit two stitches together, knit one stitch, knit two stitches together. Bind off as if to knit.

5. Sew two ears on the front of each bootie. Sew button on front for the nose.

6. Make two tails. For each tail, hold two strands of the cream yarn together and cast on five stitches. Bind off all stitches. Sew tails onto booties at the top back seam. Weave in ends.

7. Make spots (optional). Using the black yarn, cut 12 lengths of yarn each about 5 inches long. Using two strands of those held together, make a triple overhand knot in the center. Sew three spots onto the back of each bootie in a random pattern.

Resources

• Additional patterns for knit slippers at Lion Brand Yarn
• Free slipper patterns from Knitting Pattern Central
• Free slipper patterns from Knitting Pattern Central