Traditional Fair Isle Slippers
A good pair of knit slippers can be hard to find, but these Traditional Fair Isle Slippers are a no brainer. A cute star pattern on the body of the slipper makes these slippers perfect for any member of the family. This versatile pattern provides sizes ranging from a child's to a men's slipper, so you can easily outfit anyone--or everyone--in your family. Relaxing on a cold night with your feet snug in these slippers will be the perfect payoff for all your hard work.
Knitting Needle Size6 or 4 mm
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
SIZES
To fit sizes: 4 (6/8-S-M-L).
Finished foot lengths
7 (8-9-10-11) ins [18 (20.5-23-25.5-28) cm].
MATERIALS
- Set of four size 4 mm (U.S. 6) knitting needles
- Size 4 mm (U.S. 6) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge.
CHILD’S VERSION
- Bernat® Super Value (197 g / 7 oz)
- Sizes: 4 (6/8)
- Main Color (MC) (53014 Steel Blue Heather) 1 (1) ball
- Contrast A (53010 Oatmeal) 1 (1) ball
- Contrast B (53243 Forest Green) 1 (1) ball
LADY’S VERSION
- Sizes: S (M-L)
- Main Color (MC) (53203 Teal Heather) 1 (1-2) ball(s)
- Contrast A (07421 Black) 1 (1-1) ball
- Contrast B (53243 Forest Green) 1 (1-1) ball
MAN’S VERSION
- Main Color (MC) (53015 Taupe Heather) 1 (1-2) ball(s)
- Contrast A (53010 Oatmeal) 1 (1-1) ball
- Contrast B (53044 True Grey) 1 (1-1) ball
GAUGE
20 sts and 26 rows = 4 ins [10 cm] in stocking st.
INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). When only one number is given, it applies to all sizes. For ease in working, circle all numbers pertaining to your size.
Beg at toe end with B and set of 4 double-pointed needles, cast on 10 sts, leaving a long end. Divide sts evenly on 3 needles (4, 3, 3). Join in rnd placing a marker on first st.
1st rnd: Knit.
2nd rnd: K1. M1. Place marker. K2. M1. K3. M1. Place marker. K2. M1. K2. 14 sts.
3rd rnd: Knit.
4th rnd: (Knit to next marker. M1. K2. M1) twice.
Rep last 2 rnds once more. 22 sts. Break B.
Change to MC and rep last 2 rnds 4 (5-6-6-7) times more. 38 (42-46-46-50) sts.
PLACE CHART
Sizes 4, S and M only:
Next rnd: (With A, K1. With MC, K1) 4 (5-5) times. With A, K2. With MC, K1. With A, K1. Work 1st row of Chart II (IV-IV) across next 13 (17-
17) sts. With A, K1. With MC, K1. With A, K2. (With MC, K1. With A, K1) 4 (5-5) times. With MC, K1.
Next rnd: (With MC, K1. With A, K1) 4 (5-5) times. With A, K3. With MC, K1. Work 2nd row of Chart II (IVIV) across next 13 (17-17) sts. With MC, K1. With A, K4. (With MC, K1. With A, K1) 4 (5-5) times.
See Charts II and IV.
Sizes 6/8 and L only:
Next rnd: (With MC, K1. With A, K1) (4-5) times. With MC, K1. With A, K2. With MC, K1. With A, K1. Work 1st row of Chart (III-V) across
next (15-19) sts. With A, K1. With MC, K1. With A, K2. (With MC, K1. With A, K1) (5-6) times.
Next rnd: (With A, K1. With MC, K1) (4-5) times. With A, K4. With MC, K1. Work 2nd row of Chart (III-V) across next (15-19) sts. With MC, K1. With A, K4. (With
MC, K1. With A, K1) (4-5) times. With MC, K1.
See Charts III and V.
All sizes: Last 2 rnds form side and sole pat. Chart is now in position. Keeping cont of pat, cont even until Chart is complete.
1st and 2nd rnds: With MC, work in pat across 13 (15-17-17-19) sts where chart was placed and stranding A across WS of work.
3rd rnd: Pat across 14 (16-17-17-19) sts. With 1 strand each of MC and A tog, P9 (11-11-11-11). Pat to end of rnd.
4th rnd: Pat across 14 (16-17-17-19) sts. With 1 strand each of MC and A tog, K9 (11-11-11-11). Pat to end of rnd.
Shape opening:
5th rnd: Pat across 14 (16-17-17-19) sts. With 1 strand each of MC and A tog, cast off next 9 (11-11-11-11) sts purlwise. Pat to end of rnd. Break
yarn. 29 (31-35-35-39) sts rem.
Note: Cont in rows for rem of Slipper, working back and forth across set of 4 double-pointed needles, changing to pair of needles when opening is large enough to accommodate.
Sizes 4, S and M only:
1st row: (RS). With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (7-7). With B, K1. *With A, K1. With B, K1. Rep from * to last 6 (7-7) sts. With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (7-7).
2nd row: With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (7-7). With A, P1. *With B, P1. With A, P1. Rep from * to last 6 (7-7) sts. With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (7-7).
Sizes 6/8 and L only:
1st row: (RS). With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K(6-7). With A, K1. *With B, K1. With A, K1. Rep from * to last (6-7) sts. With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K(6-7).
2nd row: With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K(6-7). With B, P1. *With A, P1. With B, P1. Rep from * to last (6-7) sts. With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K(6-7).
Rep last 2 rows until work from toe end measures 6¼ (7¼-8-8½-9¼) ins [16 (18.5-20.5-21.5-23.5) cm], ending with a 2nd row.
All sizes:
Shape heel:
1st row: (RS). With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (6-7-7-7). *With A (B-A-A-B), K2tog. Pat to last 8 (8-9-9-9) sts. With A (B-A-A-B), Sl1. K1. psso. With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (6-7- 7-7).
2nd row: With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (6-7- 7-7). *With A (B-A-A-B), P2togtbl. Pat to last 8 (8-9-9-9) sts. With A (B-A-A-B), P2tog. With 1 strand each of A and B tog, K6 (6-7-7-7).
Rep last 2 rows 2 (3-3-3-4) times more, then 1st row 1 (0-1-1-1) time. 15 (15-17-17-17) sts rem.
Next row: With 1 strand each of A and B tog K6 (6-7- 7-7). K3tog. K6 (6-7-7-7). 13 (13-15-15-15) sts.
Cast off. Fold sides of cast off edge tog and sew center back heel seam. Draw yarn end tightly through toe sts and fasten securely.
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Susan S
Sep 20, 2018
What a great way to take slipper knitting up a notch and practice your Fair Isle technique. Wow! These are stunning. Definitely going on my list to try when I want to challenge myself with a new technique.
Hippie Chick
Aug 15, 2018
Its important to stay warm in the winter. My feet are usually cold year round especially at night with our air conditioning running 24/7. This is a great slipper pattern to save because it is one that can be used as a gift for any member of the family or for any family member or coworker.
3cats2love
Aug 26, 2017
These slippers are really lovely. Some knitting projects take a lot of work, but are so worth the effort in the end. I think Fair Isle knitting is like that, because although it takes some time and close following of the pattern, what you create comes out looking so fabulous, and even better because you hand made it.
The Designing Peng uin
Aug 01, 2016
Wonderful pattern allowing the knitter to perpetuate a tradition going back centuries - the Fair Isle, Shetland, Aran, and other sweater patterns were developed so that a lost fisherman could be identified should he wash up on shore somewhere other than his own island the patterns are distinct and individual as is the pattern knit into these slippers, part of the Fair Isle pattern, while the slipper itself is distinctly part of the Fair Isle heritage. This pattern is a superb inclusion in allfreeknitting.com Thank you so very much
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