The Red Slippers

I knitted these two wee hats thinking they would turn out to be two big hats for adults. But I may have used the wrong size needles so now they will fit a child. I will have to try again. I also knitted some slippers (see "Going Green" Slippers blog entry). These two items knit up very quickly, so if you have lots of slippers and hats to make then try these.

Hat Pattern:

Use 6.5 mm needles with bulky/chunky yarn.
Gauge: 12 st x 24 rows = 4" square.

Cast on 60 stitches (for slightly tighter hat, cast on 56 stitches and adjust following counts accordingly; a child's size should start 52 stitches).
Next 4 rows *K2, P2* repeat.
Next 16 rows stst to end.
To decrease:
*K2, K2tog* repeat to end (45 stitches on needle); purl row, knit row, purl row.
*K1, K2tog* repeat to end (30 stitches on needle); purl next row.
*K2tog* repeat to end (leaving 15 stitches on needle).
Purl row then cut yarn and draw end back through remaining stitches. This will leave a little hole in the top which will make it easier to attach a pompom. Sew the seam together from the inside of the hat.

By Christine Neary

"Going Green" Slippers

These are the slippers I made for Emma (a young girl I used to take care of). They are made of green organic wool as she is into saving the world. The colour is called pistachio. They knit up very quickly. There isn't much to it, plain stitch all the way. I made them a wee bit different by adding a charm on the front. It says peace and love, just perfect for Emma. Here is the pattern below.

Cast on 54 stitches.
Knit every row until the piece measures 5 inches.
Next row cast off 9 stitches, knit to end.
Next row cast off 9 stitches, knit to end.
Next row cast off 3 stitches, knit to end.
Next row cast off 3 stitches, knit to end.
Next row knit every row until measures 4 inches from the last 3 cast off stitches.
Next row knit 2 together to end of row.
Knit one row.
Next row knit 2 together to end of row.
7 stitches remaining.
Cut wool, thread through remaining stitches and sew slipper.

By Christine Neary.
Pattern from Betty McCreadie.

Fancy Feet

Also for our Oban holiday one of my sisters knitted all of us a pair of slippers. One for each personality, they looked great. Christine (the yellow slipper)