Mother necessity slippers

Mother Necessity Slippers by Corrina Ferguson

What Is Being Made

Mother Necessity Slippers are cushy felted slippers designed and created by Corrina Ferguson. These are warm, comfortable footwear pieces worked in double-stranded yarn to provide extra insulation and coziness. The slippers are available in three width options to accommodate different foot sizes: narrow (8 inches / 20 cm circumference), medium (10 inches / 25 cm circumference), and wide (11¼ inches / 28 cm circumference). The pattern allows for customizable length using provided charts, making these slippers adaptable for both child and adult sizes.

Knitting Techniques

These slippers are constructed using traditional sock-knitting methods, beginning with a heel flap construction. This technique creates a reinforced heel area that provides durability and structure. The pattern offers flexibility in needle choice, allowing knitters to work the slippers using double-pointed needles (dpns), magic-loop style on a single circular needle, or on two shorter circular needles. This versatility accommodates different knitting preferences and skill levels.

The slippers are designed to be felted after completion, which is a finishing process that matts and densifies the knitted fabric. Felting creates a durable, warm, and water-resistant final product ideal for slipper wear.

Stitches Used

• k – knit stitch, the fundamental building block of knitted fabric
• p – purl stitch, creating texture and reverse stockinette patterns
• ssk – slip, slip, knit; a left-leaning decrease commonly used in shaping
• k2tog – knit 2 together; a right-leaning decrease for shaping and decreasing stitches
• p2tog – purl 2 together; a decrease worked on purl rows
• kfb – knit front and back; an increase stitch that creates additional stitches

Materials and Yarn Weight

Mother Necessity Slippers are worked in Cascade 220, a 100% wool yarn in worsted weight. This yarn is available at 220 yards per 100 grams (201 meters per 100 grams). The pattern calls for double-stranded yarn, meaning two strands are held together while knitting, which increases warmth and creates a thicker, more substantial fabric suitable for felting.

Yarn requirements vary based on the customized length chosen. Most child sizes require only one skein of Cascade 220, while most adult sizes require two skeins. This makes the project economical and accessible for various knitter budgets.

Needles required are Size 13 (9.0 mm), appropriate for working with double-stranded worsted weight yarn. Additional supplies include a tapestry needle for weaving in ends and seaming, one stitch marker for tracking rounds, and optionally a cable needle if the knitter prefers to use one during construction.

Difficulty Level

Mother Necessity Slippers are rated as an intermediate knitting project. This difficulty level is appropriate for knitters who have mastered basic knit and purl stitches and are comfortable with fundamental shaping techniques such as increases and decreases. The heel flap construction and custom sizing options require some pattern-reading experience and understanding of how to adjust patterns for fit.