Mrs Fisher's Slippers
I call these Mrs Fisher's slippers because I knitted a very similar pair when I was in grade four during an extra-curricular craft class, which really means that this is simply my own variation of an easy slipper pattern that's been around for a very long time indeed. My teacher (Mrs F) was an infinitely patient, bespectacled lady who obviously could knit with her eyes closed and I was NOT a very skilled knitter at the time. I suspect she got a little tired of me asking her over and over to explain how to purl, heh. So I feel really accomplished when I can knit these up in a couple of hours.. See what I did, Mrs F?
This project works with most worsted weight yarn, doubled (eg. knit with two strands held together). I use between size 4.5 to 6 needles, depending on the weight of the yarn (you can use bulkier, you'll just get a bigger slipper). Play around with sizing by varying size of needles as well as number of cast-on stitches. These are knit flat, by the way, so it's a great pattern for new knitters.
This pattern is very adaptable and simple and it's a good way to use up scrap yarn. I tend to use acrylic for these, since knit slippers do wear out fairly fast and acrylic is cheaper and often softer than wool (which can also shrink and/or felt if you forget and throw them in the wash) however, feel free to use whatever kind of yarn you like so long as it's stretchy (I do not recommend cotton, for example).
Embellishing your slippers with pom poms, bobbles, buttons, bells or leather laces (or even soles, which would help with the wearing-out problem come to think of it) is highly recommended.
These are roughly sized for small women's, medium women's (small men's). If you want to adapt this for children's sizes, simply start with fewer cast on stitches (eg. 24 would be a medium child's size). These slippers stretch so don't worry about making them a bit smaller than your foot. I'm a big fan of tracing someone's foot to use as a measurement guide, or, if you can't do that, steal one of their socks and measure against that; it'll be more accurate than guessing.
Pattern instructions:
Cast on 28 (32)stitches.
Work In Garter Stitch for 5 inches.
After reaching the 5 inch mark, start ribbing (K2, P2).
Continue in ribbing until piece measures one inch less than length of your foot.
Last row: *K2 tog; repeat form * across row, 14 (16, 18) st remaining.
Repeat K2 tog for one more row, 7 (8, 9) st remaining.
Finishing: Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread yarn needle with the yarn end and pass through the stitches on the knitting needle. Pull stitches up tightly and fasten yarn end securely. Using cast off tail sew up the slipper until you get to the end of the ribbing. Secure end. Using cast on tail sew up heel seam, be sure to leave opening for foot. Don't forget to make two.
I call these Mrs Fisher's slippers because I knitted a very similar pair when I was in grade four during an extra-curricular craft class, which really means that this is simply my own variation of an easy slipper pattern that's been around for a very long time indeed. My teacher (Mrs F) was an infinitely patient, bespectacled lady who obviously could knit with her eyes closed and I was NOT a very skilled knitter at the time. I suspect she got a little tired of me asking her over and over to explain how to purl, heh. So I feel really accomplished when I can knit these up in a couple of hours.. See what I did, Mrs F?
This project works with most worsted weight yarn, doubled (eg. knit with two strands held together). I use between size 4.5 to 6 needles, depending on the weight of the yarn (you can use bulkier, you'll just get a bigger slipper). Play around with sizing by varying size of needles as well as number of cast-on stitches. These are knit flat, by the way, so it's a great pattern for new knitters.
This pattern is very adaptable and simple and it's a good way to use up scrap yarn. I tend to use acrylic for these, since knit slippers do wear out fairly fast and acrylic is cheaper and often softer than wool (which can also shrink and/or felt if you forget and throw them in the wash) however, feel free to use whatever kind of yarn you like so long as it's stretchy (I do not recommend cotton, for example).
Embellishing your slippers with pom poms, bobbles, buttons, bells or leather laces (or even soles, which would help with the wearing-out problem come to think of it) is highly recommended.
These are roughly sized for small women's, medium women's (small men's). If you want to adapt this for children's sizes, simply start with fewer cast on stitches (eg. 24 would be a medium child's size). These slippers stretch so don't worry about making them a bit smaller than your foot. I'm a big fan of tracing someone's foot to use as a measurement guide, or, if you can't do that, steal one of their socks and measure against that; it'll be more accurate than guessing.
Pattern instructions:
Cast on 28 (32)stitches.
Work In Garter Stitch for 5 inches.
After reaching the 5 inch mark, start ribbing (K2, P2).
Continue in ribbing until piece measures one inch less than length of your foot.
Last row: *K2 tog; repeat form * across row, 14 (16, 18) st remaining.
Repeat K2 tog for one more row, 7 (8, 9) st remaining.
Finishing: Cut yarn leaving a long tail. Thread yarn needle with the yarn end and pass through the stitches on the knitting needle. Pull stitches up tightly and fasten yarn end securely. Using cast off tail sew up the slipper until you get to the end of the ribbing. Secure end. Using cast on tail sew up heel seam, be sure to leave opening for foot. Don't forget to make two.
Thank you for sharing this pattern i can't wait to have a go at these..
ReplyDeleteOur neighbor lady used to make these for us when we were little kids! Thanks for the pattern, now I can make them for my Grandkids.
ReplyDeleteDitto.Thanks.I have been looking for a pattern for an easy slipper. Happy New Year to all,too.
Delete50 years ago my aunt taught me how to knit these slippers when I was eight years old. So glad to find it on here.
ReplyDeleteI remember making this pattern for everyone in my family when I was about 9 or 10 years old!! So happy to have found the pattern again!! Thank you!
ReplyDeletethank you for the pattern have been looking for for a while now love these slippers
ReplyDeleteI'm a beginner knitter (sort of), I'm totally going to give this a try!
ReplyDeletejust made these as my first ever knit
ReplyDeletethey're great!! :) Thanks for the pattern
I make these years ago and lost my pattern, thanks for sharing. I took up knitting again last winter so I want to make some of these
ReplyDeleteThis is a classic pattern and they are so comfy. I use leftover yarn pieces when I make them for myself and they get real colorful!
ReplyDeletethanks a lot. i too learned it from my teacher in school but had forgotten the pattern
ReplyDeleteThank you so much! I made a similar pattern years ago and have been searching for something similar! Can you clarify what size needles this should be? Is it US 4.5-6, or is it 4.5-6mm size needles? Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteHi, that'd be 4.5 to 6 mm needles. Basically, it doesn't matter what size you use if you keep in mind that with worsted weight, smaller needles will give you a tighter stitch, which is great for slippers. Also you can double the yarn if the needles are a bit bigger.
ReplyDeleteWhere it says to continue ribbing until piece measures one inch less than the length of your foot, is that the entire piece or just the ribbed piece?
ReplyDeleteThat would be the entire piece. :)
DeleteThank you. I thought it probably was but just wanted to check xx
ReplyDeleteAwesome!
ReplyDeleteI've waited years to come across this pattern again!
ReplyDeleteHow much yarn would you say this project uses? And if it's DK yarn would you still double it? Thanks!
ReplyDeleteI'd say one skein, and definitely double DK yarn, as it is quite thin compared to worsted.
DeleteThank you! Excited to try these!
DeleteHi
ReplyDeleteI'm new to knitting and just want to ask a Q about the ribbing
Is it knit 2 purl 2 etc or knit 2 rows purl 2 rows etc?
Thanks
Hi Emma, it's alternating knitting and purling stitches on the same row, ie; k2, p2, k2, p2.... Stitches, not rows xxx
DeleteThanks, that clears things up :) these are looking great so far and so easy for a beginner! Thank you for sharing :)
DeleteWhen sewing the seam in the heel, is it just one long seam, or is there some fancy way to fold it so it isn't pointy at the bottom. Just doesn't look right to me. I am new at this, thanks for the pattern!!!
ReplyDeleteI don't understand this part of the instructions:
ReplyDeleteLast row: *K2 tog; repeat form * across row, 14 (16, 18) st remaining.
Repeat K2 tog for one more row, 7 (8, 9) st remaining.
Knit 2 together for two rows, which will halve the number of stitches you have, from 28, to 14, to 7, in the case of the smallest size, for example. The * is standard knitting shorthand. Hope that helps!
DeleteThanks, that helped :) I am now wearing my very own slipper!
DeleteI have a question do I know them with just 2 knitting needles or 3-4 ??
DeleteThis pattern is just for 2. :)
DeleteVirginia. I have been searching for this pattern since 1990, when I lost my pattern. They were called cuddle mocs when was in the 7th grade in 1967 in Palmer Park, Maryland.
ReplyDeletenot sure how to end the slipper could you please help me thank you
ReplyDeleteInstructions for finishing are in the pattern. Could you be more specific about what you're having trouble with?
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the simple, easy to read pattern.
ReplyDeleteDo you really need to double worsted weight yarn casting on 28? I've never seen this for a slipper pattern.
ReplyDeleteFor sure you could use single strand. I like using double for a more durable slipper, as I tend to wear the out fast if they're thinner.
DeleteYou said it would take about 1 skein is that for both or one slipper and is that 100 gram skein or 200 gram ? Thanks
ReplyDeleteThe amount of yarn will probably vary depending on if you decide to double the yarn, if it's bulky, how tightly you knit, etc. I tend to use scraps and ends to make these, but if you're using worsted, you can probably make 2 slippers with a 100 gram skein, single stranded, with no problem. If you want sturdier, bulkier slippers, use more yarn and double it.
DeleteGreat thank you so much!! That helps a lot!
DeleteI'm new to knitting and I know I'm missing something basic... How do you get the width? This may sound very dumb
ReplyDeleteHi, not to worry. If you knit it flat and sew it halfway, as instructed, you get a half tube, like a sock. Hope that answers your question?
DeleteHi kiki. I found this on pinterest and i am so excited to try, have been knitting for a month or two but have never actually finished something yet, there will probably be a lot more questions as i go, but first, i was just curious if you used a particular cast on? I never seem to get a nice even line once i get started, and also why have you written (32) after the number of cast ons? Thank you so much i really need a pair of slippers i cant wait!x
ReplyDeleteHi, glad you're excited about the slippers! Since you're a new knitter, rather than tell you how to read the pattern and cast on (I probably won't do a great job of it in a comment anyway) I'll give you a couple of links to sites that can help you out! If these don't work for you, Youtube has great videos as well.
DeleteHow to read a pattern: http://www.craftyarncouncil.com/tip_knit.html
Single cast on method (I recommend this for the slippers) http://www.simple-knitting.com/single-cast-on.html
Anything in parentheses is for small man foot sizing. She stated that in her instructions before the pattern.
DeleteSo if I wanted to use bulky yarn and not double,chat size needles would you recommend?
ReplyDeleteI think you'd be fine with the size recommended here, since double yarn should be close to the same as bulky, but to be safe, you could do a gauge swatch in both to see if they match up. :)
DeleteThanks so much for sharing your pattern. I'll be knitting them in double knitting/8 ply (using two strands), any ideas of how many stitches to cast on for kids? I've been looking for this pattern for ages!
ReplyDeleteHi, I'm not sure about a child's size, since it would depend on the size of the child. :) Just keep in mind that if you're going to be switching to 2x2 ribbing for the toe, you'll need to cast on a multiple of four stitches; for example: 16, 20 or 24. Let me know how it turns out!
DeleteThanks, Kiki will do. I'm a slow knitter, busy trying to finish two cardigans for our upcoming winter in Melbourne, then these slippers will be on the list for my little granddaughters.
DeleteI have made numerous pairs of these and I love them so so much! Thanks for sharing this pattern. It's so easy for beginners. :-D You rock!
ReplyDeleteThanks! :) I love them, too!
Delete"Don't forget to make two". LOL. Love this.
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHi loved them so I decided to make me a pair I showed my sister in w.va she absolutely loved them so I send them to her thank you so much for such a wonderful and super easy pattern
ReplyDeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteHow many would you recommend casting on for a women's size 9 to 11?? Thank you. :)
ReplyDeleteHi, the (32) cast on in the pattern is recommended for a larger size.
DeleteHi, this is my first time knitting anything but squares and scarfs. When finishing, for the part that says to thread a needle and pass through the stitches on the knitting needle,which direction do I thread it through? Do I start where the yarn comes out near the pointed end of the needle or start from the blunt end and thread through to pointed End?
ReplyDeleteYou know, I don't think it really matters, as long as you don't miss any stitches (so it doesn't unravel). :)
DeleteOk. Thanks you
DeleteThis is the pattern my 4-H knitting teacher used to teach a knitting class when I was in 6th grade. I've tried a few other patterns similar to this the past couple of years to try to replicate the original but without success. This is the one!! I wish my teacher was still around so that I could thank her for teaching me the love of knitting, 53 years later!!
ReplyDeleteCarla Immel Gira
It's such a classic. I'm so glad people remember their older friends and relatives knitting this slipper!
DeleteAt the beginning of the pattern you give two sets of numbers for the cast on, but on the last rows for the decreases there are three sets of numbers? Also, is this yarn supposed to be doubled, no where in the pattern does it say that the yarn is doubled?
ReplyDeleteThank you for sharing the pattern. I will definitely knit them.
ReplyDelete