So, I cast on some slippers for myself, got about half way done and realised I had made them too skinny!!! They're child's size. Luckily I need some children's slippers so that works ok for me, but I have realised I need a size guide and clearer instructions so that if anyone else uses my pattern it won't create the same issue for them!
Using DK yarn and size 3.5 needles:
50-66 stitches create a good size for an adult foot.
40-50 are good for child's size.
The ones in the picture are a broken rib pattern and once you do one pair you'll see just how easy they are to change the stitch pattern but to do these here are the directions:
Cast on an uneven number of stitches with a long tail left to sew up your work later. (12" would be more than enough)Row 1: knit (this row creates a ridge so you can seam easily when they are finished)
Row 2: knit
Row 3: Purl first stitch then *knit 1, purl 1 alternately* for the remainder of the row ending in a purl
Row 4: knit
Repeat rows 3 & 4 until you reach the length of slipper you require. You want this to come just to the tip of your big toe.
Next row: As you have an uneven number of stitches you will need to find your centre stitch. Knit two stitches together until this middle stitch, knit this one on its own and then continue to knit two together until the end. (If you want to roughly guess which stitch is in the middle you can, its not that important to get it right on the centre. I'm quite laid back about my knitting and stitch counts generally).
Last row: Purl two together in the same way as last row, with your middle stitch knit on its own.
Leaving a lengthy tail break your yarn. Thread your end through the remaining stitches and pull to create a drawstring. Sew up the two sides of the piece to create a toe to your slipper. Use the long end from the beginning (or a new piece if you did not leave the long tail) to sew up the back of your slipper.
Re-enforce the slipper with another piece of string by weaving around the opening. This will help keep the slipper on your foot!
Voila! Easy Peasy
http://thisgirlknits.blogspot.com/2010/12/easy-ballerina-slippers.html
