SLIPPERS FOR SURVIVORS

THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING LOCAL SURVIVORS OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE

The idea for this project arose as I was

scrubbing the floors at the local shelter. They
were particularly dirty because, as the caring
people in the advocacy world do, they
stretch the dollars they have to provide
essential services to the greatest number of
people. Sparkling floors are not exactly
essential. The floors had become a vicious
cycle; people wouldn’t take off their shoes
because the floors were dirty, but the floors
stayed dirty because people kept their shoes
on. My first thought was “Slippers would fix
this.” My next thought was “I know some
wonderful people who would love to make
slippers for those in need!” Truly, no
community exists like the fiber arts
community.

T HIS PATTERN IS BY NO MEANS UNIQUE , NOR DOES IT REINVENT THE WHEEL . I T MERELY BREAKS
DOWN SIMPL E CONSTRUCTION SO A TARGET SIZE CAN BE ACHIEVED . F EEL FREE TO USE YOUR OWN
FAVORITE SLIPPER PAT TERN !

I’d like to take just a moment to address the positive emotional impact a basket full of handmade
slippers has on survivors. This basket means there are a number of people in the community that care
enough to take time out of their lives to make something by hand for a stranger. Though a survivor may
never know the person who made their slippers, this item gives a physical presence to the collective
people that care. In dark times, awareness of this presence is exactly what survivors need. Some may
have even lost sight of the fact that an overwhelming number of people do care. This awareness gives a
survivor a bit more of the validation they need to move beyond the dark times. A pair will be given to
each survivor that would like one, and will stay with them as they move on to bigger and better things.

N EEDED
All sizes and colors of unused slippers, infant through adult.
 ©sydmoose on Ravelry.com

R ECOMMENDATIONS (though all unuse d slipper donations are accepted )

 Use machine washable yarn
 Know the type of fiber used, and label the slippers accordingly (some people may have allergies
to particular types of fiber)
 Use scrap yarn! Bust your stash!
 Demand is greatest for women’s adult sizes

S UPPLIES
 Worsted Weight Yarn
 US 7 (4.5mm) Straight Needles
 US 7 (4.5mm) DPNs (optional; you can knit them flat and sew up the toe if you prefer)
 1 Stitch Marker (if you choose to knit them in the round)
 Tapestry Needle

BASIC CONSTRUCTION
Please forgive my terrible drawings! Also, they’re not quite proportional to the finished product.

This simple slipper is knit in 3 sections: the garter section, the stockinette section, and the decrease
section (which is also in stockinette). It is then finished by closing the toe and sewing the heel.

Gauge: By no means does gauge need to be exact, but if you’re interested, this pattern was written for a
gauge of 18 stitches by 22 rows = 4”x4” square stockinette

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Steps to Creating Your Slipper

1. Find the size you would like to knit in the tables below and cast on the indicated number of
stitches.
2. Knit garter stitch for the indicated length. At this point you may choose to join the round or
keep knitting the slipper flat.
 If joining the round, knit until you have one stitch remaining, then join round by knitting
the first stitch of the next row. Slip that one remaining stitch to left needle. Place
marker. Continue on to step 3. This process of switching the first and last stitches of the
row will help prevent laddering.
3. Knit stockinette stitch for the indicated length.
4. Decrease as indicated by the table. Note: End your slippers on a decreasing round, not a plain
knit round.
5. Close toe with your preferred method. Kitchener, three needle bind-off, and threading the tail
through the remaining stitches are all good options. Weave in ends.
6. Stitch cast-on edge into an upside down “T” shape. Horizontal part of “T” should be indicated
heel width or about 1/3 of cast on edge length.

Note: The tables below are FAR more exact than is needed (or sane) for a worsted weight project. These
tables will be particularly useful for those using lighter weights of yarn. They took a lot of time and effort to
build, so if you appreciate them, please drop me a line!

O VERALL C ONSTRUCTION D IAGRAM

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S IZING T ABLES
The below sizing measurements are based on the following average foot proportions:

 3/4 Foot Length = Hand Length

 1/3 Hand Length = Wrist Width
 Wrist Width = Heel Width
 Big Toe (tip to notch) = 1/6 Foot Length

My algebra teacher was right! I AM using the math they taught me.

INFANTS’ AND TODDLERS’ SIZES

Shoe Sizes Foot Length Cast Garter Stockinette Heel Decrease
On Length Length Width Method
US Euro UK Inches Cm
0 15 0 3.125 7.9 11 sts 1.6” 1” .8” I-J
1 16 0.5 3.5 8.9 12 sts 1.8” 1.2” .9” I-J
1.5 17 1 3.625 9.2 .9” I-J
2 17 1 3.75 9.5 13 sts 1.9” 1.3” 1” I-J
2.5 18 1.5 4 10.2 14 sts 2” 1.3” 1” H-J
3 18 2 4.125 10.5 14 sts 2.1” 1.4” 1” H-J
3.5 19 2.5 4.25 10.8 1” H-J
4 19 3 4.5 11.4 15 sts 2.3” 1.5” 1.2” H-J
4.5 20 3.5 4.625 11.7 16 sts 1.2” H-J
5 20 4 4.75 12.1 16 sts 2.4” 1.6” 1.2” H-J
5.5 21 4.5 5 12.7 17 sts 2.5” 1.7” 1.3” H-I
6 22 5 5.125 13 17 sts 2.6” 1.7” 1.3” H-I
6.5 22 5.5 5.25 13.3 18 sts 2.6” 1.8” 1.3” G-I
7 23 6 5.5 14 19 sts 2.8” 1.8” 1.4” G-I
7.5 23 6.5 5.625 14.3 19 sts 2.8” 1.9” 1.4” G-I
8 24 7 5.75 14.6 19 sts 2.9” 1.9” 1.5” G-I
8.5 25 7.5 6 15.2 20 sts 3” 2” 1.5” G-I
9 25 8 6.125 15.6 21 sts 3.1” 2” 1.5” G-I
9.5 26 8.5 6.25 15.9 21 sts 3.1” 2.1” 1.5” G-I
10 27 9 6.5 16.5 22 sts 3.3” 2.2” 1.7” F-I

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CHILDREN’S SIZES
Shoe Sizes Foot Length Cast Garter Stockinette Heel Decrease
On Length Length Width Method
US Euro UK Inches Cm
10.5 27 9.5 6.625 16.8 22 sts 3.3” 2.2” 1.7” F-I
11 28 10 6.75 17.1 23 sts 3.4” 2.3” 1.7” F-I
11.5 29 10.5 7 17.8 24 sts 3.5” 2.3” 1.8” F-I
12 30 11 7.125 18.1 24 sts 3.6” 2.4” 1.8” F-I
12.5 30 11.5 7.25 18.4 25 sts 3.6” 2.4” 1.8” F-I
13 31 12 7.5 19.1 25 sts 3.8” 2.5” 1.9” F-I
13.5 31 12.5 7.625 19.4 26 sts 3.8” 2.5” 1.9” E-I
1 32 13 7.75 19.7 26 sts 3.9” 2.6” 2” E-I
1.5 33 14 8 20.3 27 sts 4” 2.7” 2” E-I
2 33 1 8.125 20.6 27 sts 4” 2.7” 2” E-I
2.5 34 1.5 8.25 21 28 sts 4.1” 2.8” 2.1” E-I
3 34 2 8.5 21.6 29 sts 4.3” 2.8” 2.2” E-H
3.5 35 2.5 8.625 21.9 29 sts 4.3” 2.9” 2.2” E-H
4 36 3 8.75 22.2 30 sts 4.4” 2.9” 2.2” D-H
4.5 36 3.5 9 22.9 30 sts 4.5” 3” 2.3” D-H
5 37 4 9.125 23.2 31 sts 4.6” 3” 2.3” D-H
5.5 37 4.5 9.25 23.5 31 sts 4.6” 3.1” 2.3” D-H
6 38 5 9.5 24.1 32 sts 4.8” 3.2” 2.4” D-H
6.5 38 5.5 9.625 24.4 33 sts 4.8” 3.2” 2.4” D-H
7 39 6 9.75 24.8 33 sts 4.9” 3.3” 2.5” D-H

WOMEN’S SIZES
Shoe Sizes Foot Length Cast Garter Stockinette Heel Decrease
On Length Length Width Method
US Euro UK Inches Cm
4 35 2 8.1875 20.8 28 sts 4.1” 2.7” 2.1” E-I
4.5 35 2.5 8.375 21.3 28 sts 4.2” 2.8” 2.1” E-I
5 35-36 3 8.5 21.6 29 sts 4.3” 2.8” 2.2” E-H
5.5 36 3.5 8.75 22.2 30 sts 4.4” 2.9” 2.2” D-H
6 36-37 4 8.875 22.5 30 sts 4.4” 3” 2.2” D-H
6.5 37 4.5 9.0625 23 31 sts 4.5” 3” 2.3” D-H

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7 37-38 5 9.25 23.5 31 sts 4.6” 3.1” 2.3” D-H

7.5 38 5.5 9.375 23.8 32 sts 4.7” 3.1” 2.4” D-H
8 38-39 6 9.5 24.1 32 sts 4.8” 3.2” 2.4” D-H
8.5 39 6.5 9.6875 24.6 33 sts 4.8” 3.2” 2.4” D-H
9 39-40 7 9.875 25.1 33 sts 4.9” 3.3” 2.5” D-H
9.5 40 7.5 10 25.4 34 sts 5” 3.3” 2.5” C-H
10 40-41 8 10.1875 25.9 34 sts 5.1” 3.4” 2.6” C-H
10.5 41 8.5 10.3125 26.2 35 sts 5.2” 3.4” 2.6” C-H
11 41-42 9 10.5 26.7 35 sts 5.3” 3.5” 2.7” C-H
11.5 42 9.5 10.6875 27.1 36 sts 5.3” 3.6” 2.7” C-H
12 42-43 10 10.875 27.6 37 sts 5.4” 3.6” 2.7” C-H

MEN’S SIZES
Shoe Sizes Foot Length Cast Garter Stockinette Heel Decrease
On Length Length Width Method
US Euro UK Inches Cm
6 39 5.5 9.25 23.5 31 sts 4.6” 3.1” 2.3” D-H
6.5 39 6 9.5 24.1 32 sts 4.8” 3.2” 2.4” D-H
7 40 6.5 9.625 24.4 33 sts 4.8” 3.2” 2.4” D-H
7.5 40-41 7 9.75 24.8 33 sts 4.9” 3.3” 2.5” D-H
8 41 7.5 9.9375 25.4 34 sts 5” 3.3” 2.5” C-H
8.5 41-42 8 10.125 25.7 34 sts 5.1” 3.4” 2.6” C-H
9 42 8.5 10.25 26 35 sts 5.1” 3.4” 2.6” C-H
9.5 42-43 9 10.4375 26.7 35 sts 5.2” 3.5” 2.6” C-H
10 43 9.5 10.5625 27 36 sts 5.3” 3.5” 2.7” C-H
10.5 43-44 10 10.75 27.3 36 sts 5.4” 3.6” 2.7” C-H
11 44 10.5 10.9375 27.9 37 sts 5.5” 3.7” 2.8” C-H
11.5 44-45 11 11.125 28.3 38 sts 5.6” 3.7” 2.8” B-H
12 45 11.5 11.25 28.6 38 sts 5.6” 3.8” 2.8” B-H
13 46 12.5 11.5625 29.4 39 sts 5.8” 3.9” 2.9” B-H
14 47 13.5 11.875 30.2 40 sts 5.9” 4” 3” B-H
15 48 14.5 12.1875 31 41 sts 6.1” 4.1” 3.1” B-G
16 49 15.5 12.5 31.8 42 sts 6.3” 4.2” 3.2” A-G

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D ECREASING
Because of the varying sizes, I have created a method of decreasing with different sections. If the table
indicates sections D-H, knit the indicated decreases in D, E, F, G and H consecutively.
Remember to end your slippers on a decrease round, not a plain knit round. For example, women’s size
9 slippers end in section H; repeat [k2, k2tog] until you reach the stitch marker and then stop knitting
and bind off/finish the toe. Don’t continue on and knit the plain round.

DECREASING SECTION A
Row 1: Repeat [k9, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION B
Row 1: Repeat [k8, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION C
Row 1: Repeat [k7, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION D
Row 1: Repeat [k6, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION E
Row 1: Repeat [k5, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION F
Row 1: Repeat [k4, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION G
Row 1: Repeat [k3, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

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DECREASING SECTION H
Row 1: Repeat [k2, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION I
Row 1: Repeat [k1, k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

DECREASING SECTION J
Row 1: Repeat [k2tog] to end of row

Row 2: Knit

Not using worsted weight? This decrease method merely outlines a decrease of 4 stitches every other row.
Evenly place 4 stitch markers and k2tog before each marker every other row. Decrease until you have about
1/3 of the initial amount of stitches.

S EWING THE H EEL

Sew the heel in an upside down “T” shape as diagramed above. Approximately the middle one-third of
the cast on edge will be the horizontal part of the “T”. The extra one-third on either side will create the
vertical part of the “T”. Hazard toward the vertical part of the “T” being too long rather than too short.

You can also check the table for the heel width of your chosen size! Reserve the heel width
measurement in the middle of your cast on edge for the horizontal part of the “T”. Then use the extra
edge on either side of it to sew the vertical part of the “T”.

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F INISHING AND L ABELING

Finish the toe. Weave in ends. Add your own pizazz if you like! Pom poms, googly eyes, cross stitch
critters, whatever you like!

Please safety pin each pair of slippers together and label them! Feel free to use the provided PDF of
funny labels, or make your own. Please label the type of fiber used for allergy purposes, and
approximate size. Include your name and a note to the recipient if you like!

T HIS PROJECT WAS CREA TED IN ASSOCIATION WITH ASPEN V ICTIM A DVOCACY S ERVICES AND
WITH THE HELP OF A NN M INER OF Y ARN F OLK , BOTH OF E LLENSBURG , WA. P LEASE
PATRONIZE AND SUPPOR T THESE ORGANIZATION S WHEN AND HOW YOU C AN .

D ON ’ T LIVE ANYWHERE NEAR E LLENSBURG , WA? S UPPORT YOUR COMMUNIT Y BY DONATING

THIS PROJECT TO YOUR LOCAL SHELTE R , OR BY ORGANIZING A S LIPPERS FOR S URVIVORS EVENT
IN COLLABORATION WIT H YOUR LOCAL V ICTIMS ’ S ERVICES O RGANIZATION . A LL I ASK IS THAT
YOU POST PICTURES OF THE FINISHED PRODUCT S AND EVENT IF POSSI BLE .

D O YOU CROCHET?
W OULD YOU BE INTEREST ED IN EXPANDING THIS PROJECT TO INCLUDE M ORE FIBER ARTISTS ?
P LEASE CONTACT ME VIA R AVELRY ABOUT CONVERTING THIS PATTERN TO CROCHET TERMS !

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