I was inspired by two patterns - Harlequin Modern Muks Slippers by Maggie Page and Martin Storey’s Peppi Slipper Socks from his book Nordic Knits: 25 Stylish Small Projects. I thought felted slippers would be perfect for my mom whose feet get cold when she plays the piano in the living room in northern Utah before she goes to sleep at night.

My mom has long, narrow feet. These slippers were knit from the top down, then some stitches (1/4th) were knit for a flap for the top of the foot while the rest of the stitches rested on a holder, then stitches were picked up along the sides of the flap for the sides of the foot and then all stitches were knit down toward the sole.

I made these with worsted yarn and size 10 needles and then we felted them down several times in a zippered pillow case in her washing machine until they fit her feet. We stuffed them with plastic bags from the grocery store so the sides wouldn’t felt together.

Mom loves flowers and so I crocheted 2 quick flowers and 4 leaves and we used the same old stash pink Red Heart acrylic yarn for the sewing. My sister Suzie was visiting too and helped me sew the slippers to the store-bought soles. We used lots of pins, but they helped to keep everything in place as we sewed the X’s.

Mom is tickled with them!

They’re loose enough that she can wear 2 pairs of socks - wool socks I knit for her, too. Those 3 layers should help keep her feet warm. She’s 84.