Felted slippers

Felted Slippers by Vintagealfien

What is Being Made

These are cozy knitted and felted slippers designed by Birgitte Petersen. The slippers are crafted using a simple garter stitch construction and then felted to create a warm, textured finish. Available in multiple sizes ranging from Euro shoe size 18-20 up to 42-43, these slippers work for children and adults alike. The design produces a classic slipper silhouette with a shaped toe and fitted heel.

Knitting Techniques Used

The primary technique employed in this project is felting, which transforms a knitted fabric into a dense, matted textile. The slippers begin as a knitted piece that is then felted to create the final product. This two-stage process—knitting followed by controlled felting—results in a durable, warm slipper that is thicker and more insulating than standard knitted fabric. The felting process shrinks and compacts the fibers, creating a non-stretchy, stable material ideal for footwear.

The construction method involves binding off stitches on each side to create shaping, followed by additional knitting before decreasing for the toe section. This structured approach ensures proper fit and comfort.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch – The entire slipper is worked in garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch produces a textured, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and is ideal for beginners.
• Knit two together (k2tog) – Used in the toe decreases to gradually reduce the number of stitches and shape the slipper toe over 7 rows.

Materials and Tools

The slippers are knitted using Aran weight yarn that is suitable for felting. The recommended yarn is Incawool from Hjertegarn, which is 100% Highland wool with a yardage of 160 meters per 100 grams. Yarn quantities vary by size, ranging from 50 grams for the smallest size (18-20) to 200 grams for the largest sizes (40-43).

The pattern specifies 5 mm (US 8) knitting needles for achieving the correct gauge of 17 stitches and 30 rows over 10 centimeters in garter stitch. The designer notes that if your gauge differs, you should adjust needle size accordingly—using smaller needles for tighter gauge or larger needles for looser gauge.

Any monochrome or multi-colored yarn capable of felting will work, provided the gauge matches when using Aran weight yarn. The felting process requires only the knitted pieces and access to felting methods (typically wet felting in a washing machine or by hand).

Difficulty Level

This project is rated as beginner-friendly. The pattern uses only garter stitch and basic decreases, making it accessible to knitters new to the craft. The straightforward construction and minimal shaping make this an excellent first project for learning both knitting fundamentals and the felting technique.