How do I Crochet Slippers?

One of the most vexing things about crocheting is the constant counting of stitches. Here is a simple way to crochet slippers that requires almost no counting at all. Most remarkably, these ballerina-style slippers can be sized to fit any woman's or girl's foot. They are so easy that even a beginning crafter should be able to crochet slippers in a single evening.

These instructions assume a knowledge of basic stitches including chain, slip stitch, single crochet, and double crochet. Begin with a size G hook and a skein of 4-ply worsted-weight yarn. Crochet a foundation chain long enough to reach from the wearer's heel to the base of the big toe. For an average women's foot, a chain about 25 stitches is about right.

Turn and sc in the second chain from hook. Continue to end of foundation chain, and make 3 sc in last chain; turn. Sc all along the other side of foundation chain. At the end of the chain, make 3 sc in last chain and turn again. Keep going around in this manner, increasing as needed at both ends to make the work stay flat and prevent it from curling. In some rows, it may be necessary to increase by as many as six stitches at each end to achieve this result.

Continue until the crocheted piece is a long narrow oblong, perfectly flat, and the approximate width and length of the wearer's foot. This is the sole of the slipper. Count the number of rows on each side of the foundation chain. Again, for an average woman's foot, six rows on either side of the foundation chain should be sufficient.

Now it is time to create the slipper's upper. Place a safety pin on the end of the sole opposite the spot where the chain was begun. This will serve as a marker to indicate the heel of the slipper as opposed to the toe. Continuing to work the rounds that form the sole, sc in each stitch along the sides, decrease one sc per round at the heel end, and decrease three to five sc per round at the toe end.

As rows are added and appropriate decreases made, the slipper will begin to curl inward, forming its own upper. When the slipper's upper contains the same number of rows as the sole, the toe and sides of the slipper will lie almost completely flat. The slipper will resemble a double sole with a slit down the middle of the top portion. The heel, however, will poke up as it will never curl inward as much as the toe.

The ballerina-style slippers may be considered finished at this time; if this is desired, end the last row of sc at the heel with two slip stitches. Alternatively, a round of double crochet may be added at this time and a ribbon or cord threaded through the dc stitches to more firmly secure the slipper to the foot, resulting in a bootie style. Either way, it is possible to crochet slippers using well under a single skein of yarn.

Because of this project's speed and simplicity, crafters can crochet slippers for quick Christmas gifts or for sale as bazaar items. Using this method, anyone can crochet slippers with terrific results.