Product Description
This pattern was original published as part ofTwisted's Single Skein Club in December 2011. It is now available for public purchase.
These slippers look like little beans or wee fairy shoes, but will keep your toes hugely toasty! They are a quick knit with worsted weight yarn and wool roving for the thrums. As you wear the slippers, the thrums will felt down to a soft padding and keep your tootsies warm. Be sure to read the thrum tutorial before beginning!
The slippers are begun flat at the heel, and then joined to work the toe in the round. Instructions are given for dpns, but you can use magic loop or two circulars if you prefer. The foot opening features a built-in i-cord edging.
Yarn: 210 yards worsted-weight non-superwash wool. Gauge: 18sts = 4 inches/10 cm in stockinette stitch. Needles: US #6/4mm (or size to get gauge) both for working flat AND for working in the round. Roving: 1.5 ounces of wool roving.
Thrumbelina Slippers by Michele Bernstein
What Is Being Made
Thrumbelina Slippers are a pair of cozy, insulated slippers designed to keep feet warm and toasty. These slippers feature a custom-fit design that evolves as you wear them, with finished sizes measuring approximately 8 to 9 inches around and 10 to 11 inches in length. The pattern is customizable for different foot lengths and can be adjusted in circumference by adding stitches in multiples of 4, making them suitable for various shoe sizes including women's US 7.
Techniques Used
Thrumbelina Slippers employ a combination of flat and circular knitting techniques. The slippers are begun flat at the heel, then joined to work the toe in the round. This hybrid construction method creates a seamless transition from the heel section to the rounded toe. Knitters have flexibility in their circular knitting method, with instructions provided for double-pointed needles (DPNs), though magic loop or two circular needles can be substituted based on personal preference.
A key technique featured in this pattern is thrumming, which involves incorporating bits of wool roving directly into the knitted fabric as you work. These thrums serve as built-in insulation within the slippers. As the slippers are worn, the thrums gradually felt down, creating a custom fit that molds to the wearer's feet over time. This innovative approach combines traditional knitting with felting for enhanced warmth and personalized comfort.
Stitches Used
The primary stitch used in Thrumbelina Slippers is stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for comfortable footwear. The gauge is 18 stitches over 4 inches (10 centimeters) in stockinette stitch, providing a reference point for achieving proper fit and fabric density.
Materials
Thrumbelina Slippers are knitted with aran weight yarn (also known as worsted weight), which provides a substantial fabric suitable for quick knitting and durable slippers. In addition to yarn, the pattern incorporates wool roving for the thrums, which are woven into the fabric during knitting to provide insulation. The pattern notes that there is plenty of yarn included, though additional fiber may be needed if customizing the slipper size or if expanding the circumference beyond the original specifications.
Difficulty Level
Rated as intermediate, Thrumbelina Slippers are suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to explore techniques beyond basic stockinette stitch. The thrumming technique and transition between flat and circular knitting provide engaging challenges while remaining accessible to experienced beginners.
```Specifications
| Brand: | Independent Designer |
| Yarn Weight: | Aran |
| Pages: | 6 |
| Designer: | Michele Bernstein |
| Craft: | Knitting |
| Format: | Downloadable PDF |
| Languages: | English |
| Notes: | Slippers are worked flat, and then in the round at the toe. You can use your preferred method: dpns, 2 circulars, magic loop. |
| Number of Patterns: | 1 |
| Skill Level: | Intermediate |
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