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Knitted slippers or booties

20 years ago

Hi all,

I work in a nursing home and was wondering where I could locate homemade slippers or booties that someone might donate? We have lots of people who have no family or money. Who or what organizations could I contact for this? Any leads would be great!

thank you

Judy

Comments (15)

  • 20 years ago

    Judy, I would suggest contacting your local yarn shops to see if they know of any organizations that could help you out.

    Donna

  • 20 years ago

    Does anyone have a pattern they recommend for knitted slippers? There are lots for crocheted ones but I am interested in knitted ones. Thanks.

  • 20 years ago

    I have seen many variations on this slipper. I seriously doubt anyone can claim copyright violation on this one. I've been making it since I was 12 years old (and I'm OLD!)

    TV Slippers - DonnaÂs favorite

    4oz. Knitting Worsted
    1 pr. No. 8 Knitting Needles
    With double yarn cast on 29 sts.

    Row 1: (right side) Slip 1, K 8, P 1, K 9, P 1, K 9.
    Row 2: Slip 1, knit across row.
    Repeat these two rows for 5 inches or 2 1?2 inches less than length of foot, ending with wrong side.
    TOE:
    Row 1: (right side) P 1, *K 1, P 1. Repeat from * to end of row.
    Row 2: K 1, P 1, to end of row. Repeat ribbing for 2 1?2 or 3 inches. Break yarn leaving an 8 inch end. Thread yarn into tapestry needle and slip sts from knitting needle onto tapestry needle, pull sts up very tightly and fasten securely.

  • 20 years ago

    Thank you very much, Donna!

  • 20 years ago

    I am a newbie so I have some questions. Could you put more detail into the pattern?
    1. I assume the toe is a continuation of the rest. You just keep knitting on the same thing but change what stitches you are using. Is this correct?
    2. When you finish you will have a flat piece, right? Do you have to bind off? It looks like you do not. If you run yarn through your last stitches, it will gather and make a toe, right? But what about the rest of the slipper? isn't it still flat?
    3. Do you have any pictures? That might help visualize this.

    This seems like a good project for a beginner if you could explain it a little more.

    Thanks again!

  • 20 years ago

    Catlover, forgive me. I just copied and pasted the pattern and didn't even look to see that I didn't tell you how to finish the slipper. Yes, the toe is a continuation of the rest. You just change from the first pattern to a ribbing. And you will end up with a flat piece. You do not bind off, though. You will leave about a foot-long tail of yarn which you will thread onto a yarn needle. Take each stitch off your knitting needle with the yarn needle. Once you have all the stitches on your "tail", pull them tight and make a stitch through the first one and last one. Then sew up the piece - you'll have to decide how far (just leave an opening big enough for your foot to go into the slipper, but not too big) and weave in your ends. Then go to the heel (make sure you have left about a 9" tail) and sew that up as well and hide that end. That's it.

    I like to make these with a small cuff as well. If you like I will print an adjusted pattern for that. Just let me know. As for pictures, I just haven't been able to master posting them. But I found several sites with almost the identical pattern. Some of the pictures weren't very good, but this one was nice, and also did a good job of explaining how to assemble them.

    Here is a link that might be useful: slippers

  • 20 years ago

    Donna,

    WOW! Thanks!

  • 20 years ago

    Donna, thank you for this pattern, I "grabbed" it last night and made a pair for my DFIL. He's in a nursing home and has been for the last 3 years, every year it gets harder and harder to come up with something for his Christmas. He's probably going to get a few more pair lol.

    Really appreciate the pattern!

    Hugs.

  • 20 years ago

    Donna;

    A friend wants me to knit two pairs of slippers for her to give as Christmas presents so I have been loooking for this pattern as well.

    It's one of those patterns that EVERYONE had when I was young - a Patons pattern if I remember correctly. And of course not to be found years and years later.

    Many thanks.

  • 20 years ago

    Jane, this was the first thing we learned to knit in Home Economics when I was in the 7th grade in, ahem, 1962. It was such a big deal to me and I'm pretty sure I made it a big deal among my relatives. They all humored/encouraged me. I knitted like a son-of-a-gun and took "orders" from my aunts and uncles. I got $6 a pair, which was a lot of money to a 12 year old back then. Then I grew up and forgot all about that pattern - until I wanted another pair of slippers. I couldn't remember exactly how it went. Then I came across a "Learn to Knit" book and BINGO! Back in business. Of course, I can do so much more now, but these are still my favorite, best fitting slippers. I often add the cuff as well. I'm glad I brought back the past for some of you.

  • 20 years ago

    Those are the same ones my grandmother used to make LOL! We got a pair or two every year, because we would "walk out the bottoms" we loved them so much. We all have hot feet, but for some reason we loved those slippers.

    My mother made a close version, but crochet so no ribbing around the toe. And hers usually had the cuff, or made from loop stitches, or loops that were then cut to make fringies (think latch hook rug...or mop ROFL). She can't remember the pattern, and none that I have tried fit the same. Sigh.

    We couldn't stand the feeling of "rug yarn" or good thick yarn on our feet, so they would use soft, lighter weight yarn. That's probably why we wore them out so fast.

    Cutting and pasting!

    Dances.

  • 20 years ago

    Judy, contact your local Girl Scout council and see if they can help. My troop was always looking for neighborhood projects.

    beverly

  • 20 years ago

    Donna, I didn't see the pattern with the cuffs. Could you post it please or e-mail it to me? I remember these slippers and would likt to try them again. Do you put a non-skid sole on them? Thanks.
    Sally

  • 20 years ago

    Sally, if you want to make a cuff, the pattern would go like this:

    Cast on 39 sts.
    Row 1: (right side) Slip 1, K 13, P 1, K 9, P 1, K 14.
    Row 2: Slip 1, K 3, P 1, knit across row to last 5 sts, P 1, K4.
    Repeat these two rows for 5 inches or 2 1?2 inches less than length of foot, ending with wrong side.
    TOE:
    Row 1: (right side) P 1, *K 1, P 1. Repeat from * to end of row.
    Row 2: K 1, P 1, to end of row. Repeat ribbing for 2 1?2 or 3 inches. Break yarn leaving an 8 inch end. Thread yarn into tapestry needle and slip sts from knitting needle onto tapestry needle, pull sts up very tightly and fasten securely.

    I also didn't mention that I often will knit 2 tog (or purl 2 tog) for the last couple of rows at the toe to make the hole a bit smaller.

  • 20 years ago

    Thank you Donna. I'm hoping to give them a try very soon.

    Sally