The Shabka slipper pattern was inspired by the time I spent in a village in Morocco’s High Atlas mountains, where I worked with shepherd-knitters to document the knitting patterns they had learned from their forefathers. This work resulted in the book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond, which is a collection of essays and accompanying patterns about the history and practice of knitting in North Africa. You can read more about the book here.

This slipper pattern is not a traditional High Atlas pattern. Instead, it is my design based on a traditional High Atlas knitting pattern for socks called Tqasher Jadeed. The motif is inspired by rug designs woven by the women in the shepherd-knitters’ village.

Since the Shabka pattern is based on the Tqasher Jadeed pattern, this pattern document includes instructions for both. The document also includes background information and process photos.

Tqasher Jadeed is knit-to-fit and worked from the toe up. It can be made with any size yarn and needle; although, High Atlas knitters prefer a thicker yarn (similar to worsted weight) and very thin needles (they use cut bicycle spokes). This sock pattern is perfect for hand-spun yarn.

Shabka is also knit from the toe up and is intended for feet sized US women’s 5 and larger. It is designed for worsted weight yarn with US size 0 needles; however, the size of the slippers can be increased by using DK weight yarn; increasing the needle size; or making a slight modification to the motif (details for this provided in the pattern).

As requested by the shepherd-knitters who contributed their patterns, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of the book, Keepers of the Sheep: Knitting in Morocco’s High Atlas and Beyond, is donated to their village’s women’s cooperative, Cooperative Ibilou. The cooperative uses these funds for community development projects that benefit everyone in the village. Because Tqasher Jadeed is a traditional pattern, a portion of the sale of this pattern is donated to Cooperative Ibilou.