Slippers Bellew

Named for Jimmy Sutane’s gentle dancing partner, here’s a puzzling pair of slippers for curious minds and nimble feet. Follow the thread from toe to heel as a mysterious shape reveals itself.

Yarn
Kate Davies Designs Milarrochy Tweed (70% Wool; 30% Mohair; 100m / 109yds per 25g ball)
Shade A Snapdragon: 3 x 25g balls (2 balls, marled together with B and 1 ball, doubled, for i-cord edging)
Shade B Cranachan: 2 x 25g balls (marled together with A)
Yarn is held doubled throughout: wind 1 skein of A and 1 skein of B together to form a marl. When working i-cord, divide one skein of A in two, and wind these half skeins together into one.

Needles and notions
3 gauge-size circular needles (of your preferred length and type)
Above gauge-size needle (for i-cord bind off)
Tapestry needle
4 locking stitch markers

Gauge
24 sts and 48 rows (24 ridges) to 10cm / 4in using gauge-size needle(s) with yarn held double
Use 3.5mm needle as a starting point for swatching.
These slippers are worked on a smaller needle than might seem usual for this weight of yarn, to create a dense, hard-wearing, cosy fabric that’s suitable for slippers. If substituting yarn, and knitting with a single strand, try a heavy worsted or aran weight.

Size
To fit adult feet. Length is fully adjustable within the pattern.

Pattern notes
These garter stitch slippers are worked flat from the toe up, all in one piece. The pattern begins by casting on a few stitches, shaping the toe, then knitting the foot. Markers are placed on each side of the work to designate the ankle opening, and then the heel is shaped with paired decreases. The back of the heel is joined with a three needle bind off, and stitches are set aside for the foot opening. Stitches are then picked up along both sides of the foot opening, which is joined together in two stages, using a modified i-cord bind off. After applied i-cord is worked around the ankle opening, the slipper is complete.