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What you need
one ball each of two colors of worsted/8 ply yarn (color A and color B)
pair of size 7 US (4.5 mm) knitting needles
two small buttons
Instructions
These cosy Mary Jane anklet slippers are knitted flat in separate pieces and then sewn together. They are a lovely little stash-busting project because you can use two colours of worsted weight or 8 ply yarn, and the button strap gives them that sweet Mary Jane shoe look.
The slippers are worked in Stockinette Stitch, with the right side rows knitted and the wrong side rows purled. The striped version is made by changing colours every fifth row, but you can also knit them in one solid colour if you prefer a simpler finish.
Finished Size
Adult size.
The sole is worked to approximately 10 inches / 25.5 cm, but you can adjust the length slightly to suit the wearer’s foot.
Materials
Two colours of worsted weight yarn or 8 ply yarn
Pair of US 7 / 4.5 mm knitting needles
Two buttons
Yarn needle for sewing seams
Stitch holder or spare needle
Scissors
Abbreviations
K – knit
P – purl
Kfb – knit into the front and back of the same stitch to increase by 1 stitch
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together to decrease by 1 stitch
P3tog – purl 3 stitches together
Yo – yarn over
St / sts – stitch / stitches
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
BO – bind off
Pattern Notes
The sole and slipper top are knitted separately, then sewn together at the end.
The slipper top is split in the middle to create the foot opening. Each side of the opening is worked separately for a short distance, then joined back together.
Change colours every fifth row if making the striped version. Carry the unused colour loosely up the side if you like, or cut and rejoin yarn as preferred.
Stockinette stitch can curl before seaming, so don’t worry if the pieces look a little rolled while you are knitting.
Knitting the Bottom of the Foot
Using Color A, cast on 10 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: Kfb, knit across to the last stitch, kfb in the last stitch.
You now have 12 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Change to Color B.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: Kfb, knit across to the last stitch, kfb in the last stitch.
You now have 14 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Change back to Color A.
Continue working in Stockinette Stitch, changing colours every fifth row, until the sole measures approximately 10 inches / 25.5 cm, or the desired length of the foot.
Make sure you end after completing a purl row, so the next row is a right side knit row.
Shape the Toe End
Next row: K2tog across.
You now have 7 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K2tog across twice, then K2tog once more, K1.
You now have 4 stitches.
Bind off.
Set the sole piece aside.
Knitting the Slipper Top
Using Color A, cast on 12 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: Kfb, knit across to the last stitch, kfb in the last stitch.
You now have 14 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Change to Color B.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: Kfb, knit across to the last stitch, kfb in the last stitch.
You now have 16 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Change back to Color A.
Continue in Stockinette Stitch, changing colours every fifth row, until the slipper top measures 4 inches / 10 cm from the cast-on edge.
End after completing a wrong side purl row.
Create the Foot Opening
Next row: Knit 6 stitches, bind off 4 stitches, knit the remaining 6 stitches.
You now have two groups of 6 stitches with a bound-off gap in the centre. This gap forms the opening for the foot.
Place the first set of 6 stitches onto a stitch holder or spare needle while you work the second side.
Continue working on one set of 6 stitches only, keeping the stripe pattern as established.
Work in Stockinette Stitch until this side measures 8 inches / 20 cm from the beginning cast-on edge of the slipper top.
End after completing a wrong side purl row.
Cut yarn and place these 6 stitches on a stitch holder.
Now return to the other set of 6 stitches.
Rejoin yarn, beginning with a purl row.
Work in Stockinette Stitch, keeping the stripe pattern as established, until this side also measures 8 inches / 20 cm from the beginning cast-on edge.
End after completing a wrong side purl row.
Join the Slipper Top Back Together
Next row: Knit 6 stitches from the first side, cast on 4 stitches, then knit the 6 held stitches from the other side.
You now have 16 stitches again.
Work in Stockinette Stitch for 9 rows, ending after a wrong side purl row.
Shape the Front of the Slipper Top
Next row: K2tog across.
You now have 8 stitches.
Purl 1 row.
Next row: K2tog across.
You now have 4 stitches.
Bind off.
Set the slipper top aside.
Knitting the Strap
Using whichever colour you prefer, cast on 6 stitches.
Work in Stockinette Stitch until the strap measures 5 inches / 12.75 cm, ending after a wrong side purl row.
Make the Buttonhole
Next row: K2, yo, k2tog, K2.
Work 3 rows in Stockinette Stitch.
Next row: K2tog 3 times.
You now have 3 stitches.
Next row: P3tog.
Cut yarn and pull the end through the final stitch to fasten off.
Make a second strap for the other slipper.
Finishing
Lay the slipper top over the sole, matching the toe shaping and heel ends.
With wrong sides together, sew the slipper top to the sole using back stitch or a firm mattress-style seam. Take your time around the toe so the slipper keeps a neat rounded shape.
Weave in all loose yarn ends.
Sew the cast-on edge of the strap to one side of the foot opening, approximately 2 inches / 5 cm from the beginning of the opening.
Sew a button to the opposite side, lining it up with the buttonhole on the strap.
Repeat for the second slipper, making sure the strap is placed on the opposite side so the slippers mirror each other.
Extra Tips
For a more secure slipper, use a firm yarn rather than anything too soft or floppy.
If the slippers will be worn on smooth floors, consider adding non-slip fabric paint, suede patches, or slipper grip dots to the bottom.
For a gift version, choose a pretty contrast button or a vintage button from your stash. It’s a tiny detail, but it makes the slippers look much more finished.
These slippers are a lovely quick handmade gift, especially when you want something cosy, practical, and a little bit nostalgic.
Fantastic…no problems experienced with pattern ..thank you very much x
no idea what everyone is on about when they say its unclear/hard to understand!! i got mine done in 45 mins (as i had a fag and a brew in-between making the top and the sole) and since then made numerous in different sizes for family members..
Instructions are too confusing!
I think maybe they mean K4, CO 8, K4??? Very confusing pattern… Its a shame, its exactly the type of slipper I was looking for… anyone have some good links to something like this?
These instructions are not very clear at all. . . . .. . . .it’s very confusing. . . . .. .
I found these really tricky too – what a shame!
If anyone has an accurate set of instructions I’d really like to see them
Thanks
Can someone please help me….I am relatively new to knitting and am confused by “Now you split the top into two. K8 cast off. knit 4, k8.” Do I knit 8, then cast off one? then I’m only left with 9 so cannot knit 4, then knit 8…… really confused about this part and cannot find anything on the web to explain…..
the slippers look really cool , but the time it says is not true it says it takes less than 30 mins it takes you about an hour to make the sole
The slippers are adorable. I only finished them by using common sense. The directions made no sense at all – for example – “repeat these 4 rows…” when there were only 3 rows. Another example is when making the top the instructions say, “work as for top…” Well, duh, this is the top. The instructions get a 1 star only. Very, very poor, and I have been knitting for over 30 years. A beginner would have quit immediately.
This pattern is very unclear. I’ve been knitting for a while and still can’t understand it. More pictures would be nice too.