Cozy Hand-Knit Slippers – Beginner Friendly Knitting Pattern
Shelly shares a heartfelt knitting tutorial to make a very comfy, cozy pair of slippers using an old pattern she inherited from her mom (originally sold for 20 cents!). This pattern is for slippers in size small (fits a women’s size 6), with row counts provided for medium and large sizes as well. She uses circular knitting needles size 11 (8mm) but mentions straight needles work fine too.
The slippers are knit flat with a double stranded yarn using a combination of knit, pearl (purl), slip stitch, and increase/decrease stitches. The pattern includes a slip one pearl wise edge for a neat finish. After knitting the foot base, a repeat section is knit for length, followed by toe shaping through decreases. The slippers are then seamed and optionally finished with pom poms.
Credit Koala Knits and Knacks
Materials & Tools Needed
- Yarn: Loops & Threads Lux Marino Wool Blend (55% Superwash Merino, 45% acrylic), double stranded with light 3/8 weight yarn. Main color “Sedona” and accent color “Avocado” for pom poms.
- Needles: Circular or straight knitting needles size 11 (8 mm).
- Darning needle or wool needle for finishing seams.
- Stitch markers (optional) or small circle markers to mark pearl stitches.
- Scissors.
- Clover pom pom maker (optional) for pom poms.
- Pen and paper or stitch counter for tracking rows.
Finished Size
- Small size fits size 6 foot.
- Medium and Large sizes provided with row repeat counts.
- Size can be adjusted by needle size and number of repeats.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Cast On and Setup
- Cast on 23 stitches with double stranded yarn using long tail cast on method.
- Use a slip knot to start.
Rows 1 to 7 (Set Up Rows)
- Work slip one pearl wise, knit and pearl stitches according to pattern.
- Incorporate increases by knitting front and back loops of a stitch to add stitches.
- Maintain careful stitch counts per row.
Repeat Section (Lengthening the Foot)
- Repeat rows 6 and 7 for the length of the foot (approximate to base of big toe).
- For size small: repeat rows 6 & 7 about 16 times (32 rows).
- For medium: 23 repeats (46 rows).
- For large: 29 repeats (58 rows).
Toe Shaping (Decreases)
- Work 5 rows with various knit two togethers (k2tog) and pearl stitches for shaping toe.
- Use slip one pearl wise in each new row start.
Finishing & Assembly
- Remove stitches from needle onto cord, pull yarn tight to shape toe.
- Sew up the front seam with a darning needle using a whip stitch or similar method.
- Fold and sew heel seam with some creative shaping to avoid a pointy heel.
- Weave in all yarn tails neatly.
Pom Pom Decoration (Optional)
- Using two contrasting yarn strands (Sedona & Avocado), make pom poms with a Clover pom pom maker.
- Secure pom poms firmly to slippers at the seam about two rows down from top.
- Fluff and trim pom poms for a neat finish.
Tips & Notes
- Use stitch markers or small circle markers to remember where to pearl.
- Count and mark rows diligently with pen/paper or stitch counter.
- Adjust needle size or yarn weight for fit variations.
- Don’t worry about minor mistakes—this is a handmade beginners-friendly project.
- The slippers stretch slightly when worn.
- Check out Shelly’s channel for helpful tutorials on slip knot, long tail cast on, making pom poms, and Kitchener stitch.
