I-Cord Slippers Felted Knit for Women

I-Cord Slippers Felted Knit for Women

What is Being Made

These are felted knit slippers designed for women, created by Monique Rae Designs. The slippers feature a distinctive low-ride construction that covers the toes while leaving the heel area open. The design is enhanced with three decorative I-cords draped across the top of the foot, adding both visual interest and structural detail to the finished garment.

Design Features and Construction

The I-Cord Slippers are engineered with a practical approach to fit and sizing. The pattern provides instructions for six different sizes, ranging from women's size 5/6 through 10/11, ensuring a customizable fit for various foot dimensions. The pattern includes specialized sole instructions for wide, narrow, and average foot widths, allowing knitters to adjust the base of the slipper to match individual needs. A notable design element is that both left and right slippers are knit identically, simplifying the construction process.

Knitting Techniques Used

This advanced-level knitting project employs several key techniques. The primary construction method involves flat knitting on circular needles, with the yarn held doubled throughout the entire pattern for added warmth and durability. The I-cords, which are signature elements of this design, are created using a specialized I-cord technique—a method that produces small, tubular cords perfect for decorative embellishment. The slippers are designed to be felted after knitting, a process that transforms the wool fabric through controlled washing and agitation, creating a denser, more insulating final product with enhanced durability.

Stitches and Stitch Patterns

The pattern relies primarily on garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric with excellent elasticity and warmth—ideal for a slipper project. The garter stitch base continues through the majority of the construction, with row counts varying by size: rows 13–33 for size 8/9, rows 13–37 for size 9/10, and rows 13–41 for size 10/11. The I-cords are worked separately using the same stitch technique and then applied to the finished slipper for decorative detail.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 100% worsted weight wool, category 4. The yarn is used doubled throughout the entire pattern. Yardage requirements vary by size, ranging from approximately 3.6 ounces/223 yards for the smallest size to 6.1 ounces/378 yards for the largest size (10/11). Exact yardage may vary depending on individual knitting tension and the specific sole size selected.
• Needles: Circular needles in sizes 24–29 inches, appropriate for working with doubled worsted weight yarn.
• Additional Tools: A row counter is recommended to track progress through the pattern, though the pattern provides alternative row-counting methods for knitters who prefer not to use one.

Skill Level

This pattern is rated as advanced, reflecting the combination of techniques required: working with doubled yarn, managing multiple size options, understanding felting processes, and executing I-cord construction. Knitters should have solid foundational skills before undertaking this project.