Basic Slippers

I first came across this slipper pattern, when it was handed out at church for a charity knitting project. I've since lost the original pattern, but I've long since memorized it. I've made a few minor refinements. My hat's off the the original designer of these slippers, they are easy to make, fit most feet, and can be easily adjusted to different sizes, and a fast knit. They can also be a fun way to use odd bits of leftover yarns, to create fun color combinations.

I can't begin to count how many of these I've made over the years, as they are a family favorite. However, I've rarely kept a pair long enough to photograph.

Yarn: any Worsted Weight yarn, held double through out.

Needles: US 10 for a ladies slipper, and US 10.5 for a man's slipper.

Gauge: should be about 3 st /inch, in St St.

Directions:

With yarn held double ( you can work from both ends of the same skein, or from two different skeins), cast on 60 st.

Slipper Sole:
Continuing with both strands, and Working back and forth, Knit 13 rows

Decrease rows:

Place a marker in the center of the row, between stitches 30, and 31.

Slipper Body:

Row 1: (rs) K27 (three st before marker), ssk, k1, slip marker, k1, K2tog, K27 (58 st remain)
Row 2: (ws) P26 (three st before marker), P2tog, P1, slip marker, P1, ssptbl*, P26 (56 st remain)

Row 3: (rs) K to 3 st before center marker, ssk, k1, slip marker, k1, k2tog, k to the end
Row 4: (ws) p to 3 st before center marker, p2tog, p1, slip marker, p1, ssptbl*, p to the end

Repeat Rows 3 and 4 until 30 stitches remain.

Slipper Cuff:

Knit 8 rows,
Bind off loosely, leaving a long tail for seaming. Turn right sides together, and seam heel and sole.


*ssp: slip next two stitches knitwise,  insert the right needle through the two back loops, and purl these two stitches together.

OR alternatively, this decrease can be worked this way:
 
* pssops: Pass Slipped Stitch Over Purl Stitch: purl 1, slip next st knit wise, slip 2 sts back to left needle (maintaining orientation), then pass the slipped stitch over the purled stitch, and slip the decrease back to the right needle.

I find the second option easier to work with the bulky yarns. They both make a left leaning decrease on the right side, and that is what you are looking for.