For a variation on these slippers that does not require cutting the opening, click HERE. Despite a warmer winter than usual in North Dakota, my feet are cold ~ and the cute store-bought slippers that have sufficed in other years were making my feet sweat. Etsy is full of enticing wool slippers, but they are unfortunately much out of my price range. Not a problem, I can make my own. But the patterns I found for knitted ones do not look like what I had in mind. I wanted warmth for my toes ~ but NOT the ankles. There are a lot of patterns available, but nothing seemed quite what I wanted, so I have developed my own. I like the slippers so well, I made some for my parents, too. For my mom's slippers, I used 2 strands Lions Brand Fisherman's Wool, Oak Tweed. The flower is made with Nature's Brown in the center and Oatmeal for the petals. Blanket stitching in Nature's Brown. For my dad's slippers, I used 2 strands Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, Nature's Brown (One 8 oz skein will be enough for one pair, taking the yarn from both ends of the skein.) One strand of the same color for blanket stitching on the cut edges. My slippers (top picture) were made with Lion Brand Fisherman's Wool, one strand of Nature's Brown and one strand of Oak Tweed held together. Instructions: 2 3.5 oz balls worsted weight wool Double points and/or 24" circular needle, size 11 Double points recommended for toe. If used on the whole slipper, they should be at minimum 8" long. Using two strands at once, CO 42 stitches. (for woman's narrow CO 40) [for men's medium or large CO 45] Join, being careful not to twist stitches. Knit one round. [for men, k 3 rounds] Knit 24 stitches (22) [26]. Work back and forth on these 24 stitches to create the back of the heel. Work 15 rows stockinette st. (Knit one row, purl one row.) End with a purl row. Turn Heel: Slip 1, K13 (11) [15] K2 tog, k1, turn Slip 1, P5 (5) [7], P2 tog, P1, turn Slip 1, K6 (6) [8], k2 tog, K1, turn Slip 1, P7 (7) [9], p2 tog, P1, turn Continue in this manner until all stitches are used up. End with a purl row. (For narrow sizes, the last decrease row will be a knit row. P1 row before beginning gusset.) There should be 14 (13) [16] stitches on needle. Make Gusset: Knit 7 (6) [8]. Place marker, if using circular needles. Switch needles if using double points. K7 (For narrow size, K2 tog, then knit 5). Pick up 10 (10) [11] stitches along side of heel flap. Place marker, or switch needles. Knit across 18 (18) [19] stitches, placing them on one needle, if using double points. Place marker, or switch needles. Pick up 10 (10) [11] stitches along other side of heel flap. Knit 7 (6) [8] stitches. You are now at the center of the heel. This will be the beginning of your rounds. You should have 17 (16) [19] stitches on each side of heel. Round 1: Knit to within 2 stitches of marker {or the end of the first needle.} K2 tog. Knit the 18 (18) [19] stitches that form the top of the foot. After next marker, {or at the beginning of the 3rd needle} K2 tog. Round 2:Knit. Repeat these 2 rounds 4 (4) [5] more times until there are 12 (11) [13] stitches on each side of heel. Knit around and around to the desired measurement from the beginning of the gusset {where you picked up stitches.}: For woman's small: 7" For woman's medium: 9" For woman's large or men's medium: 11" For man's large: 12" Decrease for toe. Double points will work best here. If you are using a circular needle, you will have to pull up the cable as you go. In other words, pull out a loop of cable without any stitches on it, so you can reach the stitches on the needle to knit them. {It is a hassle, but it is only after years of knitting that I acquired double points in the larger sizes. If you only do an occasional project of this type, the circular needle will work.} For women's regular size: Round 1: *K 5, K2 tog* repeat around. Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit Round 3: *K4, K2 tog* repeat around Round 5: *K3, K2 tog*, repeat around Round 7: *k2, K2 tog*, repeat around Round 9: *K1, K2 tog*, repeat around For women's narrow: Round 1: K3, K2 tog, *K 5, K2 tog* repeat between * to end of round. Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit Round 3: K2, K2tog, *K4, K2 tog* repeat between * to end of round Round 5: K1, K2tog, *K3, K2 tog* repeat between * to end of round Round 7: K2tog, *K2, K2 tog* repeat between * to end of round Round 9: K2 K2tog *K1 K2tog*, repeat between * to end of round For men's or wide slippers: Round 1: *K 5, K2 tog* repeat between * around until 3 stitches are left. K1, K2 tog. Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit Round 3: *K4, K2 tog* repeat around until 2 stitches are left. K2 tog Round 5: *K3, K2 tog*, repeat around K last stitch Round 6: *K2, K2 tog*, repeat around, K last stitch Round 7: *K1, K2 tog*, repeat around, K last stitch Cut yarn with long tail. Thread on tapestry needle, and sew through stitches on needle. Pull tightly into a circle and sew up. Weave yarn ends into work. Make flower to put on woman's slippers. Use one of these patterns, if desired: Five Petal Flower Easy Flower Felting Instructions: Place items to be felted in a pillow case. Tie shut. I use a rubber band or hair tie. This keeps the wool fuzzies from getting in your washing machine. Set machine to smallest wash setting, hot water, and most vigorous speed. Put pillow case with wool items in the machine along with a heavy piece of cloth to increase the agitation. I use an old drapery panel. Allow to agitate 15 - 40 minutes. The time needed will vary according to your wash machine, the water temperature, and the yarn used. I use two wash cycles, or about 24 minutes. Do not spin out. Spinning may cause creases in the fabric that can not be gotten out. I leave the machine open, so the spinner will not activate, and cover the machine with a heavy cloth. Pull pillow case out of water. Squeeze out excess water and rinse in cold water. Remove slippers. If they need more shrinking, return them to the pillow case and put them back in the washer. If not, squeeze out the water, stuff with towels and allow to dry. They can be stretched a little, if needed. (Be sure to pull the fuzzies out of your pillow case before throwing it back in the washer to spin out) Finishing: For man's slipper, while still wet, cut a slit down the top of the slipper (approximately 4") and fold the corners down. Trim the foot opening on woman's slipper at least enough so that a foot can easily slide in. You can make it larger if you want. This can be done when the slipper is dry. Attach flower. Blanket stitching is optional, but it gives a more finished look.