Mary Jane Slippers: The Pattern

I kept these slippers pretty simple, but they'd also be really cute modified for a button or decorated with a knit flower. I hope you have as much fun knitting these as I did designing them!
Gauge
5 stitches = 1 inch in garter stitch
Finished Size
Fits medium size woman's foot (shoe size 7-9)
Making the Sole
Note: If you slip the first stitch of every row, it will be a little bit easier to pick up stitches later.
Cast on 8 stitches
Row 1: Knit
Increase Row: Slip 1, kfb, knit to last 2 stitches, kfb, knit 1 (10 st).
Knit 2 rows.
Repeat the last 3 rows 2 more times (14 stitches)
Knit until piece measures 2 inches from cast on edge (or, if you prefer to count rows: Knit 11 rows).
Knit an Increase Row (16 stitches).
Knit until piece measures one more inch (11 rows).
Repeat the last 12 rows 3 more times (piece will measure 6-inches and there will be 22 stitches).
At this point the sole should look something like this:

Knit 3 rows.
Decrease Row: Slip 1, k2tog, k to last 3 stitches, ssk, knit 1 (20 stitches).
Knit 1 row.
Repeat the last 2 rows 8 more times (4 stitches).
Bind off.

Making the Upper
Starting at the center of the heel (with either side facing you), pick up 42 stitches to the center of the toe (pick up 1 stitch for every stitch around the heel and toe, and 3 stitches for every 4 up the sides).
Pick up 42 stitches down the other side to the center back of the heel and place a marker (pm). (84 stitches on needle). Work the following rows in the round.

Purl 1 round. (The first couple of rounds are a little tight and awkward, but it gets easier.)
Knit 1 round.
Purl 1 round.
Repeat the last 2 rounds.
Next round: Knit 32, pm (use a different color than the end-of-the-round marker), k2tog, k 16, ssk, pm (use the same color as the marker just placed), knit 32.

Purl 1 round.
Next round: Knit to marker, k2tog, knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, knit to end of round.
Repeat last 2 rounds until there are 6 stitches between the 2 same color markers (5 times) (70 stitches total remaining).
Bind off loosely.
Attaching the I-Cord
With the contrast yarn, use the provisional cast-on technique (see our provisional cast-on tutorial) to cast 4 stithces onto one US size 5 double pointed needle.
Starting at the center of the heel, knit an attached I-cord around the edge of the slipper. Pick up 1 st for every bound off stitch. For instructions on knitting an attached I-cord, see our tutorial. Finish the two live ends of the Attached I-cord by refering to our Kitchener Stitch Tutorial.
Knitting the Strap
Try the slipper on to see where you would like to have the strap. I placed mine 3 inches from the center of the heel.
With a US size 5 double pointed needle, pick up 5 stitches inside the slipper, on the left side, right below the attached I-cord.


Slipping the first stitch of every row, knit in garter stitch until there are 16 1/2 ridges (ie for 33 rows) or until it is the length that fits your foot, bearing in mind that garter stitch really stretches.
The last row you knit should leave the yarn at the heel end of the slipper. Cut an 8 inch tail and thread it through a tapestry needle.
Straight across from where the strap began, thread the yarn up through a purl bump.

Then thread the yarn through the first stitch of the knitting needle as if to purl and remove the stitch from the needle.
Repeat these 2 steps until no stitches remain.
Weave in all the ends. And make another!





























January 23, 2008
Reader Comments (64)
You should actually repeat the last 12 rows.. I'm sorry if it's confusingly written...
The 12 rows are 1 increase row followed by 11 plain rows.
Ugh, language!
-Whitney
I need to know b/c I am a us size 10! thanks! love the pattern btw.
The pattern is written for a women's US size 7-9. Check back soon for Whitney's thoughts on altering the pattern.
Probably the easiest way to make bigger or smaller slippers is to change the gauge of the pattern. At the pattern's current gauge of 5 stitches to the inch, the widest part of the foot bottom is 4.4" across (22 stitches divided by the gauge, 5). If you knit at 5.5 stitches to the inch it would be 4 inches across; or at 4.5 stitches to the inch, 4.8 inches across. Depending on how dramatic a size change you want to make, you may have to choose a different yarn, not just a different needle size.
Also take into consideration the length. You'll need to add or subtract some rows evenly throughout the knitting of the foot bottom. The bottom should look much smaller than the recipient's actual foot because garter stitch stretches so much.
And pick up stitches at the same ratio as this pattern does, ie 1 stitch for every stitch around the heel and toe, and 3 stitches for every 4 up the sides. Put about 20% of the stitches between the markers at the toe for decreasing.
It may take some experimenting to get the size you want, but luckily, these slippers contract and stretch to span a pretty wide range of sizes, so don't worry about being too exact!
Good luck!
Whitney
thanks!!!!!!!
Holding the working needle in the left hand can become very complicated when you try to follow patterns, which are all written for holding the working needle in the right hand. Most left handed knitters nowadays hold the needle in the right hand and the yarn in their left, "Continental Style".
I'm sorry to recommend such a drastic measure, but I think the best thing you can do is to relearn to knit continentally. My mother was in the same situation as you, and when I taught her this different way of knitting, she picked it up very naturally. I hope the same happens for you! For instructions on how to knit Continental Style, try viewing this video: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knit-stitch
Good luck and thanks for your question!
Whitney
These are beautiful!
I love how you have included step-by-step photographs. and your pattern is so clear. I know what I'm making tomorrow :-)
Thanks so much for such a great pattern.
by the way, I found you through ravelry.com, just so you know.
I'm sorry, I don't remember exactly how many stitches are picked up around the toe and heel, but if you pick up one stitch for every row, it should work out!
Thanks for your question and good luck!
Whitney
A quick question regarding ratio...
For the sole, the pattern reads, 'knit until piece measures 2 inches from cast on edge (or, if you prefer to count rows: knit 11 rows)'
Does this mean every row = 11 rows and that I should now knit 22 rows? As later the pattern instructs knit another inch (11 rows). A little confused, Salma - xx
Sill confused, Salma - xx
Actually, 11 rows = 2 inches. So, when the pattern instructs you to knit another inch it will be 5 or 6 rows. The number of rows are included in the pattern so that you can double check that your slipper is coming along correctly, you can just follow the instruction in inches rather than concerning yourself with the rows.
Let us know if you need more help!
Thanks a lot for this beautifull Pattern,
and so nice Pictures.
Thanks!
Anja
Thanks!
We know of no such magic trick, though you are certainly not along in wishing for one! Do you know ravelry? We recommend signing up (if you haven't already) and becoming a member. Its a fantastic resource for finding patterns of all kinds, both knit and crochet. Someone there may know of a great pattern for you.
Here is the link to their sign up page:
https://www.ravelry.com/account/login
ps. if you get put on a waiting list when you sign up don't be discouraged, they get through the list very quickly!
Good luck!
-JJ
Here is a copy of Whitney's original instructions on altering the size of the slippers. Hope this will answer your question, but if not, please feel free to ask more questions!
Probably the easiest way to make bigger or smaller slippers is to change the gauge of the pattern. At the pattern's current gauge of 5 stitches to the inch, the widest part of the foot bottom is 4.4" across (22 stitches divided by the gauge, 5). If you knit at 5.5 stitches to the inch it would be 4 inches across; or at 4.5 stitches to the inch, 4.8 inches across. Depending on how dramatic a size change you want to make, you may have to choose a different yarn, not just a different needle size.
Also take into consideration the length. You'll need to add or subtract some rows evenly throughout the knitting of the foot bottom. The bottom should look much smaller than the recipient's actual foot because garter stitch stretches so much.
And pick up stitches at the same ratio as this pattern does, ie 1 stitch for every stitch around the heel and toe, and 3 stitches for every 4 up the sides. Put about 20% of the stitches between the markers at the toe for decreasing.
It may take some experimenting to get the size you want, but luckily, these slippers contract and stretch to span a pretty wide range of sizes, so don't worry about being too exact!
Good luck!
Whitney
The I-cord is attached to the rim of the foot as you go, so work it all the way around until you come back to the first stitch. Please let us know if you have further questions!
I attempted to make the slipper smaller, but I couldn't make it smaller with out ruining the pattern. So I desided to knit them with size 5 needles and pink wool yarn. Then I felted them and they are the perfect size!!! Thank you so much for this wonderful pattern! I am going to make many more pairs!
Ik vind dit zo'n leuk patroon! Maar helaas kan ik het niet begrijpen in het engels. Kan iemand dit voor mij vertalen in het nederlands? Zou er erg blij mee zijn.
Groetjes, Ellie