Dear Anne
We had a discussion at the club about the new-look Dear Anne and overall we’re pleased. It’s hard to find somewhere for snippets of information, when you don’t want page after page to plough through. It’s reminded us it’s a bit like Beryl Jarvis’ Info Sheets and we have a request for you. Please can you find the pattern of some very useful slippers you published back in the mists of time. We’ve all made them at the club, but none of us can remember the pattern, especially where the folds go. They were knitted on a chunky machine and great for using up oddments. They pack flat and we highly recommend them as a great stash-buster, that are also very practical. Here’s hoping and best wishes from all of us, Ruth
It took a bit of searching, Ruth, but we’ve found them and also included some hand knitting instructions. It’s such a simple pattern, you can sit by the fire in the evening and make them in next-to-no-time.
Machine knit version
MATERIALS Use three ends of any DK or five ends of any 4-ply and the finished weight is no more than 100 grams. Version A Small amount in Dark Brown (MC) and Pink (C). Version B Small amount in Dark Brown (MC), Mustard (A), Pink (B), Green (C), Wine (D), Cream (E) and mixture of B, C and E tog (F).
SIZES & TENSION Size 3-4 13 sts and 22 rows to 7.5cm, 3in over garter stitch at Tension 6. Size 5-6 13 sts and 22 rows to 8cm, 3¼in over garter stitch at Tension 7. Size 7-8 13 sts and 22 rows to 9cm, 3½in over garter stitch at Tension 8.
GARTER STITCH K 2 rows. Drop every stitch one row down and reform. These 2 rows form the pattern.
VERSION A Left slipper With carriage at right and using MC, cast on 13 sts by hand. Set RC at 000. Using MT, cont in garter st. K 22 rows. Carriage is at right. Cast on 13 sts at right edge. 26 sts. K 44 rows. Carriage is at right. Using a length of MC, cast off 13 sts at left. 13 sts. Using C, K 22 rows. RC shows 88. Cast off. Right slipper Work as for left slipper, reversing shaping by reading left for right and right for left. Making up Lay left slipper down as Diagram 1 (right side is uppermost) and reverse for right slipper. Fold left slipper as shown in Diagram 2 and reverse for right slipper. Oversew seams on wrong side as indicated on Diagram 2 and reverse for right slipper. Turn to right side, push into shape and decorate.
VERSION B Left slipper First strip With carriage at right and using MC, cast on 13 sts by hand. Set RC at 000. Using MT, cont in garter st. K 22 rows. Using A, K 22 rows. Using B, K 22 rows. RC shows 66. Cast off. Second strip With carriage at right and using C, cast on 13 sts by hand. Set RC at 000. Using MT, cont in garter st. K 22 rows. Using D, K 22 rows. Using F, K 22 rows. RC shows 66. Cast off. Right slipper Work as for left slipper. Making up Lay first and second strips of left slipper down as Diagram 3 (wrong side is uppermost) and reverse for right slipper. Oversew seam on wrong side as on Diagram 3 and reverse for right slipper. Turnover as Diagram 4 (right side is uppermost) and reverse for right slipper. Fold left slipper as shown in Diagram 2 and reverse for right slipper. Oversew seams on wrong side as on Diagram 2 and reverse for right slipper. Turn to right side, push into shape and decorate.
VARIATIONS Version A Knit first 44 rows in MC and last 44 rows in C. +Version B First strip Knit 44 rows in MC and 22 rows in C. Second strip Knit 22 rows in C and 44 rows in MC.
Hand knit version
You can make these slippers quickly and easily by hand. If you’ve a young grandchild who knits, they’re ideal to make as a gift. They’re knitted in garter stitch on big needles and you can help with the size of needle. You need a pair of 5 mm or 5¼ mm knitting needles and the materials are the same as the machine knitted version. The size of needle and tightness of knitting will determine the size of the finished slipper, so first knit a tension square.
Tension square Using three strands of DK or five strands of 4-ply yarn, cast on 13 sts. Slip the first stitch of every row and garter stitch (every row knit) for 22 rows. Aim at a square with 8.25cm, 3¼in sides to fit an average foot with shoe size 5 to 6. If the finished square measures 7.5cm, 3 in, the slipper will fit shoe sizes 3 to 4. If the finished square measures 9cm, 3½in, the slipper will fit shoe sizes 7 to 8.
TO KNIT Cast on 13 sts and work 22 rows garter stitch (every row knit). Cast on 13 sts, then work 44 rows across these 26 sts. Cast off 13 sts and work 22 rows on remaining 13 sts. Cast off. If a definite right and left slipper is required, 23 rows for the first square makes the 13 stitch cast on at the opposite edge.
ALTERNATIVE METHOD Cast on 13 sts and work 66 rows, changing colour three times. Make two strips for each slipper. Fold as shown in the diagram and stitch the oversewing from the inside. Turn right side out and push into shape.
