Playing Footsie

Playing Footsie Lightly Felted Slippers by Cheryl Andrews

What is Being Made

Playing Footsie is a downloadable knitting pattern for lightly felted slippers designed by Cheryl Andrews and published by Wooly Bear Hand Knits. This project creates cozy, quick-to-knit slippers in bulky weight wool that are suitable for felting. The pattern includes six graduated sizes ranging from toddler through adult large, making it possible to create matching slippers for the entire family. The finished slippers are intentionally wide in fit, though the pattern provides guidance for customizing the width and length to individual preferences.

Sizes and Finished Dimensions

The pattern accommodates six different sizes with the following finished heel-to-toe measurements after partial felting and drying:

• Size 1 (Toddler): 5.25 inches
• Size 2 (Child Small): 6 inches
• Size 3 (Child Medium): 7 inches
• Size 4 (Youth): 8 inches
• Size 5 (Adult Medium): 8.5 inches
• Size 6 (Adult Large): 9.25 inches

Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project incorporates several specialized techniques. The primary construction method involves knitting with double pointed needles to create the three-dimensional slipper form. A key feature of this pattern is the partial felting process, which gives the finished slippers their characteristic texture and helps them hold their shape. The felting is intentionally light rather than complete, preserving stitch definition while providing the benefits of a felted fabric. The pattern instructions recommend partial felting followed by drying to achieve the specified finished dimensions. Knitters are also guided to customize their slippers by adjusting width and length; the pattern notes that using the width of a smaller size while maintaining the length of the regular size creates a narrower fit, and additional rows can be added to the body to lengthen the foot.

Stitches Used

While the PDF excerpt does not specify individual stitch abbreviations, the pattern is worked in stockinette stitch typical of bulky weight slipper construction on double pointed needles. The gauge before felting is 14 stitches and 18 rows over 4 inches, which is characteristic of bulky weight knitting and contributes to the quick knit time.

Materials and Yarn Requirements

Playing Footsie calls for bulky weight wool suitable for felting. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from 80 yards for the smallest toddler size to 175 yards for adult large. The pattern was sampled in Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride Bulky, a yarn composed of 85% wool and 15% mohair, with each skein weighing 4 ounces and containing 125 yards. Skein quantities needed are: 1 skein for sizes 1–3, and 2 skeins for sizes 4–6.

Needles and Tools

The pattern requires double pointed needles in sizes 7 and 10. The use of two different needle sizes allows for adjusting gauge and fit as needed throughout the project.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the combination of working with double pointed needles, managing the felting process, and customizing fit and length. Knitters should have solid foundational skills before attempting this project.

Project Summary

Playing Footsie offers knitters an efficient way to create practical, handmade slippers for gift-giving or personal use. The bulky weight yarn and straightforward construction mean these slippers knit up quickly despite their advanced classification, while the felting process adds durability and a finished appearance. The six-size range and customization options make this pattern exceptionally versatile for creating coordinating sets across different family members or friends.