Mary Jane Slippers

Finished size — Women's 5–6 (7–8, 9–11)

Skill Level — Advanced Beginner

These slippers will feel warm and cozy on a snowy winter night. Using novelty yarns, such as loopy bouclé or fun fur, can be challenging; you have to “feel” the stitches, and sometimes it is easier to use another plain yarn along with the loopy yarn. If you get frustrated, don't give up! Take a deep breath, and keep trying.

Materials:

1 skein (6 oz./170 g/185 yd.) bulky yarn in red (A)

1 skein (3.5 oz./198 yd.)medium worsted-weight yarn in red (B)

1 skein (3.5 oz./198 yd.)medium worsted-weight yarn in black (C)

Size K/10.5 (6.5 mm) hook

2 black ½″ snaps

2 black 5/8″ buttons

Yarn needle

Sewing needle and black thread

Used in this project: Lion Brand Homespun yarn in Candy Apple Red, Red Heart yarn in Cherry Red and Bernat Super Value yarn in black.

Gauge:

1 sc = ½″

2 sc rows = ¾″

Helpful Hint:

You can make these slippers smaller (for a toddler) or larger (for a man) by working less or more scs in rnds at beg and by working less or more rows after you have divided the rnds to work sides and soles.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make 2.

With 2 strands worked tog (A and B) ch 4, join to first ch to form a ring.

Rnd 1: Marking first sc at beg of each rnd, work 10 sc in ring, join to first sc — 10 sc.

Rnd 2: * 2 sc in next sc, 1 sc in next sc, rep from * cont to work in rnds, working past the marker, until you have 20 (20, 22) sts for toe. For extra-wide feet, work 2 sts more per size. Cont working scs with no incs without joining rnds, until work measures 3½″ (3½″, 4″). Do not end off.

Divide for Sides and Sole

Row 1: Ch 1, turn. Work sc in each of next 12 (12, 13) sts.

Note: Add 2 more sts here if you are making slippers for extra wide feet.

Next Row: Rep Row 1–12 (12,13) sts.

Cont working sides and sole of slipper in this manner with 12 (12, 13) sc on each row until piece is 5-1/2″ (6″, 7″) measured from Row 1 of sides and sole or to desired length. End off. With rt sides tog, sew heel seam with yarn and yarn needle. Adjust to fit if necessary.

Top Edge — Wedge at heel

All sizes — A + B held tog.

To form wedg at heel: Count over 9 sts to left from center back seam of heel and pm. Count over 9 sts to rt of seam and pm. You will build up a wedge at heel between these 2 markers. Join yarn to st at marker on rt side of shoe, sk next st, sc in each of next 15 sts, sk next st, sl st in next st (at marker). End off.

Next Step: Join yarn to back center seam, and work scs all around. Dec 1 sc (2sctog) at beg of row, 1 sc dec at end of row, 1 dec on each side where markers were placed, and 1 dec at each corner on top of slipper. End off — 6 dec.

Straps

A + B held tog.

For left foot, attach yarn to rt of st where marker was placed on RS of slipper. For right foot, join yarn on opp side of second slipper. Ch 13 (13, 15), turn, sc in second ch from hook and in each ch across. Sl st to edge of slipper. End off — 12 (12, 14) sc.

Trim

Using 1 strand of black yarn (C), attach to center st at top edge of heel, sc in same sp, sc in each st around top edge of slipper and strap, working 2 sc in each of the 3 sc on end of strap to prevent curling. End off.

Finishing

Weave in ends. Sew snaps to under-side of strap and side of slipper. Sew button to top of strap end.

Words of Encouragement

When life is challenging and trials and adversities come up, just hang in there and keep trying. The storms of life help build character, and we often learn and grow most from our difficulties and hardships. The important thing in life is not what happens to you, but what you are becoming as a result. Someone pointed out that a sculptor uses soft polishing cloths along with hammers and chisels. The polishing cloth feels smooth, but it is the hammer and chisel that carves the distinct lines of true beauty and character. Persevere and believe, for God is at work on a masterpiece.