Product Description
Handspinners can and should make room for rare breed wools like Hog Island and Navajo Churro. The Livestock Conservancy lists Hog Island as a Critical breed and Navajo Churro as a Threatened breed in the U.S. I found Hog Island to be a soft but sturdy yarn. Navajo Churro is very durable, but not next-to-the-skin soft for me (Spinning notes are also provided in the pattern). These slippers were designed with these strengths in mind: to be a bit roomy, worn over socks with the cuff turned down. Since the cables are worked on both sides of the fabric for the top section, they can also be worn extended. They are worked in sport weight yarn at a tight gauge, and have leather soles sewn to the bottoms for durability. Step outside of your usual fibers and into some rare breed wools to help preserve biodiversity!
GAUGE: 30 sts/ 34.5 rows = 4 inches /10 cm in stranded colorwork 28 sts/ 36 rows = 4 inches /10 cm in cable pattern
Anu Slipper Socks by Stefanie Johnson
What Is Being Made
Anu Slipper Socks are knitted slippers designed for adult wear, available in two finished sizes: Medium with a 9-inch (23 cm) foot circumference and Large with a 12.5-inch (32 cm) foot circumference. These slippers are intentionally designed with a roomy fit to be worn over socks, featuring a cuff that can be turned down for versatile styling. The finished slippers incorporate leather soles for durability and traction, making them both functional and comfortable for everyday indoor wear.
Techniques and Construction Methods
The Anu Slipper Socks employ multiple advanced knitting techniques to create visual interest and structural integrity. Stranded colorwork is used throughout the design, incorporating two contrasting yarn colors to create patterned sections. Cable patterns are featured as a secondary design element, adding texture and dimension to the finished slippers. The pattern notes indicate that cabling can be worked either with a traditional cable needle or without one, offering flexibility for knitters of varying experience levels. Leather soles are attached to the finished knitted pieces to provide a non-slip base suitable for wear on various floor surfaces.
Stitches Used
- Stranded colorwork stitches for two-color pattern work
- Cable stitches for textured sections
- Standard knit and purl stitches as foundational elements
Yarn and Materials
The Anu Slipper Socks are designed to be knitted with sport weight yarn in two contrasting colors. The pattern sample shown uses handspun specialty yarns: a cream-colored handspun 3-ply Hog Island natural wool for the main color (MC), requiring approximately 275 yards (252 meters) weighing 101 grams (3.6 ounces), and a brown handspun 3-ply Navajo Churro wool for the contrasting color (CC), requiring approximately 29 yards (27 meters) weighing 12 grams (0.43 ounces). Construction requires US 3 / 3.25 mm knitting needles or the size necessary to achieve the specified gauge. Additional materials include leather slipper soles for the base, a darning needle for finishing, and optionally a cable needle for cable work (though the pattern provides instruction for cabling without this tool). Thin leather cord is listed as optional for potential embellishment or reinforcement.
Gauge and Sizing Information
Proper gauge is essential for achieving the correct finished size. The stranded colorwork sections should measure 30 stitches and 34.5 rows over 4 inches (10 cm), while cable pattern sections should measure 28 stitches and 36 rows over 4 inches (10 cm). The pattern accommodates different size needs by suggesting adjustments to yarn weight and needle sizes to achieve a tighter or looser gauge as desired.
Skill Level
The Anu Slipper Socks are rated as an intermediate difficulty project, appropriate for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to tackle stranded colorwork and cable techniques. The combination of color work and textured stitches requires attention to detail and familiarity with managing multiple yarn colors and working cable patterns.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Sport |
| Pages: | 6 |
| Designer: | Stefanie Johnson |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | You will also need leather slipper soles and optional thin leather cord for sewing them on in place of the matching yarn. |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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