Better Dorm Boots for MEN! - Free Knitting pattern

Better Dorm Boots ©2016 Kris Basta

A very special thank you to fellow knitter Anne Goodwin for helping test this pattern.  Due to tennis elbow I haven't been able to knit for a while.  I had the pattern mostly written out but it's hard to make sure all is right without test knitting each size.  Anne did just that, corrected numbers for me and tested the fit on most as well.  

*to view or download the pdf file, scroll down to the end of the pattern and click on link.

Materials:

U.S. Size 9 (5.5mm) needles
Worsted weight yarn (use 2 strands of worsted held tog.)
     Sole: 114(120, 130,140) yds 
     Slipper body: 124(136, 142, 158) yds
2 Stitch markers

Mens Sizes: 

Sm (8-9), M (9.5-10.5), Lg (11-12), XL (13)
For womens sizes see here: 
http://auntekristy.blogspot.com/2016/09/better-dorm-boots-free-knitting-pattern.html

Gauge: 14 sts = 4” in Stockinette (w strands held double)

Abbreviations:

k = knit
p = purl
yo = yarn over 
sl-1 = slip one
PSSO = pass slipped stitch over
p2tog = purl 2 together
k2tog = knit 2 together
ssk = slip, slip, knit (see how to perform one of these descreases if you don't know, google it) 
WS = wrong side
RS = right side
PM = place marker
Rep = repeat

DIRECTIONS: * you will use 2 strands held together throughout the whole slipper.

Starting with Sole:

Using sole color, Cast on 52(55, 57, 59) sts using a long-tail method and with 2 strands held together.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K1, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2(3,3,3), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k1.  [56(59,61,63) sts]

Row 3 and all odd rows: Knit. *knit the yo’s through the back of the loop.

Row 4: K2, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4(5,5,5), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k2. [60(63,65,67)sts]


Row 6: K3, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k6(7,7,7), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k3. [64(67,69,71)sts]

Row 8: K4, yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k8(9,9,9), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k4. [68(71,73,75) sts]
 

Row 10: K5, yo, K24(25,26,27), yo, k10(11,11,11), yo, k24(25,26,27), yo, k5. [72(75,77,79)sts]
 

Row 12: Size Sm ONLY: K6, yo, k(24), yo, k6, yo, k6, yo, (k24), yo, k6. [77 sts]
Row 12: Size M ONLY: K6, yo, k32, yo, k31, yo, k6.  [78 sts]
Row 12: Size L ONLY: K6, yo, k to last 6 sts, yo, k6.  [79 sts]
Row 12: Size XL ONLY: K39, yo, k40.  [80 sts]
Row 13: Knit (knit any yo's through the back of the loop) 

FOOT

Change color now if making foot different color than sole.

Row 1: Knit
Row 2: (WS) P34(34,34,34,), PM, p9(10,11,12), PM, p34(34,34,34,).

Row 3: K27(27,27,27), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k27(27,27,27). [69(70,71,72) sts)

Row 4: Purl

Row 5: K23(23,23,23), ssk 2x, k3tog, k9(10,11,12), sl-1, k2tog, psso, k2tog 2x, k23(23,23,23). [61(62,63,64)sts]
Row 6: Purl

Row 7: K35(36,37,38), ssk,
 turn. [60(61,62,63) sts] 
Row 8: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog,
 turn. [59(60,61,62) sts] 
Row 9: Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, turn.
 [58(59,60,61) sts] 
Row 10: Sl-1, p9(10,11,12), p2tog, turn. [57(58,59,60) sts] 

Rows 11-26: Repeat rows 9 and 10. [41(42,43,44) sts] 

Row 27: (RS) Sl-1, k9(10,11,12), ssk, DON’T TURN, k14(14,14,14).  [40(41,42,43) sts] 

Row 28: P24(25,26,27), p2tog, p14(14,14,14). [39(40,41,42) sts] 

Row 29: Size S/M ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit.  Now proceed to row 32.
Row 29: Size L/XL ONLY: (Removing markers as you come to them) Knit. 
Row 30: Size L/XL ONLY: Purl
Row 31: Size L/XL ONLY: Knit

Row 32: P1, p2tog, p2tog, p across to last 5 sts, p2tog, p2tog, p1. 
[35(36,37,38) sts]

Row 33: Knit
Row 34: Purl 

Rows 35-36: Rep rows 33 and 34 once more.
----------------------------------------------------------

RIBBED CUFF

Row 37: Sizes S/L ONLY: [k1,p1] 8(-,8,-)x more, k2tog, p1, [k1,p1] to end.  [34(-,36,-) sts]
Row 37: Size M/XL ONLY: [k1, p1] to end.
Rows 38-45: Work 8 rows of 1x1 rib.

Bind off loosely.

Sew seam using single strand of matching color(s). I turn the slipper inside out and seam using a simple whipstitch. Take care to make your stitches small and close together for best results.

Weave in any loose ends.


Wear and enjoy!

P.S. I spray the bottoms with the spray version on Plasti-dip to make my soles non-skid. 

 

To view or download this pattern click here:  https://drive.google.com/file/d/1eh44Sd8b0dSyABl2MHYuEzWOyUbFPxdC/view?usp=sharing

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Free Knitting Pattern! Ridgley Mittens

Fun and different!
Level of difficulty: Intermediate

You will need to be acquainted with W&T, picking up wraps, and 3-needle bind off.
These mittens are knit flat, sideways, using short rows to shape. To finish off you do not need to sew, but will use a 3-needle bind off.
These are both “knit flat”, and “knit in the round” the mitten is knit flat on size 7 needles, the thumbs are knit in the round on size 6 DPNs.
These can be made in one solid color or 2 color stripes.  The garter stitch makes these very squooshy and comfy.
To Download, Print, or save this pattern scroll down just above the last picture and see the link to click on.

Sizes are for Women, Sm, Med, Lg.

Gauge: 18 1/2 sts & 40 rows per 4" in garter stitch.  It is important
to gauge as worsted weight yarn varies SO much in thickness and you want to ensure a proper fitting mitten.

Materials/Tools
Worsted weight yarn approx. 120-140 yds.
Size 7 (4.5mm) knitting needles
1 extra knitting needle either in size 7 (4.5mm) or a
size or two smaller.
Size 6 DPNs for the thumb
Stitch marker or pc of contrast color yarn to mark right side.
Abbreviations:
-->
K = Knit            
P = Purl               
Stst = stockinette stitch

CO = cast on    
BO = Bind off      
W&T Wrap and turn  
RS =right side   
yb = yarn back  
k2tog = knit 2 together 
sl = slip             
yf = yarn forward
Rep = Repeat    
wyib = with yarn in back    
ssk = slip, slip, knit them togeteher (a left lean decrease)

References:
Video showing how to do the 3-needle bind off: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wpJUrCX52DU 
Video showing how to do the W&T:  http://newstitchaday.com/wrap-and-turn/

DIRECTIONS:

Using long tail cast on, CO 44(46,48) sts, leave a 6” or so tail to gather mitten top at the end.  *you may also use a provisional cast on it you prefer (at the end you will pick up stitches to perform a 3-needle bind off).
  

-->  1.     Knit. 

*if using 2 colors for these mittens, you would need to tie on new color now.  You will work each color for 2 rows.  W&T’s count as 2 rows.

2.     K38(39,40) W&T, K38(39,40).

3.     Picking up wrap as you go, K39(40,41), W&T, K39(40,41).

4.     Picking up wrap as you go, K40(41,42), W&T, K40(41,42).

5.     Picking up wrap as you go, K41(42,43), W&T, K41(42,43).

6.     Picking up wrap as you go, K42(43,44), W&T, K42(43,44).

7.     Picking up wrap as you go, K43(44,45), W&T, K43(44,45).

Sm Size Only: Proceed to row 8.

Med size only:
Picking up wrap as you go, K45, W&T, K45.
Proceed to row 8.

Lg Size Only: 
Picking up wrap as you go, K46, W&T, K46. 
Picking up wrap as you go, K47, W&T, K47.       

  8. Knit across picking up the last wrap.  *Please tie a contrast color piece of yarn or use a marker to  mark this side as your right side.  You will need to know it later.
       9.  Knit Across.  

10.     K43(45,47), W&T, K43(45,47).

11.     K42(44,46), W&T, K42(44,46).

12.     K41(43,45), W&T, K41(43,45).

13.     K40(42,44), W&T, K40(42,44).

14.     K39(41,43), W&T, K39(41,43).

15.     K38(40,42), W&T, K38(40,42).

Sm Size Only: Proceed to row 16 .

Med Size Only:

K39, W&T, k39.

Proceed to row 16.

Lg Size Only:

K(41) W&T, K(41).

K(40), W&T, K(40).

16.     K13(15,16), * wyib, sl-1, yf, slip that stich back to the left hand needle, yb, sl same st to right needle again**, bind off next 8(9,9) sts, rep from * to **,         knit remaining sts picking up wraps as you go. 

17. K22(21,22) sts, CO 8(9,9) sts, knit remaining sts  .

18. Rep rows 2-8(8,8)

19. Knit.

20. Rep rows 10-15. (Sizes Med & Lg make sure you work the extra rows between 15 & 16).

21. Knit across, picking up the wraps.

22. The method I chose to close the “seam” was a 3-needle bind off, this will  

produce a ridge on the outside of the mitten.  You can, if you prefer, perform a grafted garter stitch (Kitchener) if you do not want the ridge.

 With RS facing out. starting at the cuff end, use extra knitting needle (I prefer a size or 2 smaller than the 7’s) and pick up 44(46,48) stitches on the original cast on edge.   Perform a 3-needle bind off, placing one edge to the other.  This will make the “seam” on the outside –this is correct.
Now it won’t be against your skin and it looks good because it matches the garter stitch pretty well.  Cut yarn, secure and weave in end.  These mittens will look narrow, but don't fear, they have a lot of stretch!

Close the top of the mitten:

Using the yarn tail at the top of the mitten, thread through darning needle, weave in and out around the top of the mitten, pull to gather.  Secure and cut yarn.  Weave in end.

Thumb:

You will now use your Size 6 DPNs.

Tie on yarn at the bottom (cuff side) of the thumbhole.  Pick up 8(9,9) sts on each side of the thumbhole.  16(18,18) sts.

1.     Knit

2.     K1, k2tog, k to last 3 sts, ssk, k1.   14(16, 16) sts.

3.     Rep last 2 rnds 0(1,1) times.  14(14,14) sts.

4.     Knit until thumb measures 2 ¼ ”(2 ½ “) from where sts were picked up.

5.      *K2tog, rep from * to end of rnd. 7(7,7) sts.

6.     Knit.

7.     Cut yarn leaving about 6” of tail, use darning needle, thread yarn through needle and then thread through all remaining stitches.  Remove needles, cinch/gather all stitches to close the top of the thumb.  Secure and weave in yarn end.

If you’re a member of Ravelry, I hope you’ll post your mitten project so we can all see. 

Happy Knitting!

Kris

To Download, View, Print or Save, Please click on this link for PDF:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pMWJzSFdpWVNseTQ/view?usp=sharing 

  
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Free Knit Pattern! 2-Needle Boot Toppers / Cuffs

I think boot toppers/cuffs are pretty darn cute.  They close the gap between the top of your boot and your pants that are tucked in (or leggings), and add an element of design.
I had never made any and decided to see if my daughter wanted a pair.  She did, so I whipped these out.  I have no adversity whatsoever to double point needles, but I know some folks do.  I wanted to write the easiest pattern I could just to tempt people to try it, so these are made on 2 regular needles.
For downloading or printing of this pattern, simply scroll down past the photos, the pattern is there.  *Special thanks to my Ravelry tester Karinamaza for letting me use her picture of the gray/blue toppers.  ☺
Here are my 2-needle boot toppers.....

Sizes: Sm(Med, Lg/XL) 

Sm = up to 13” calf width, Med = up to 14” calf width, Lg/Xl = up to 15” calf width. 

Materials:  

Worsted weight or Aran yarn 110(130,150) yds.

A few yards of waste yarn

1 set of U.S. size 8 (5mm) needles

1 extra needle either size 7 or 8 (for 3-needle bind off at the end.)

Gauge:

18 sts & 36 rows  = 4” in Garter st.

Abbreviations:

k = knit                                p = purl 
rep = repeat                          CO = cast on       
sts = stitches

References:

3-needle bind off: 

TO WATCH VIDEO DEMONSTRATION CLICK HERE 

DIRECTIONS:

To begin, first choose what length you would like your toppers to be.  Since you are working sideways the length will be determined by the amount of stitches you cast on.  28 sts will be 6.2” long.  33 sts will be 7.3 “ long.  38 sts will be 8.4” long.  *The toppers shown are 28 sts.

Using Waste yarn CO your chosen amount of sts. 

Still using waste yarn, knit one row, then purl one row.  OR You may use a provisional cast on method if you prefer something else.

Now join main color yarn.

1. (RS) Using Main Color: Knit

2. (WS) K4, *k1, p4, rep from* to last 4 sts, k4.

3. (RS) K4, *k3, p2, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

4. (WS) K4, *k3, p2, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

5. (RS) K4, *K1, p4, rep from * to last 4 sts, k4.

6. (WS) Knit

7. Rep rows 1-6  ten(eleven, twelve) times more – on the last rep of rows,
stop at row 5.

8. Now grab your other needle and pick up the original stitches being held by the waste yarn.     Remove waste yarn. 

9. Fold your knitting RIGHT sides together, Use 3-needle bind off method to bind off knitwise.

Cut yarn and weave in end.   Make second topper the same way.

 To download, or print this pattern click on this link:
https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B_oZ8-XeMq3pcTZCcGktZzN3c2M/edit?usp=sharing 

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Machine Knitting - Felted Slippers Pattern- SINGLE strand

For my Machine Knitting friends here is my "recipe" for making felted wool slippers on my Bulky Knitting Machine. My machine is a Brother KH-260, tension is set at 7.
I used a variety of leftover worsted weight wool. Mostly gotten from Micheals or thrift stores. This pattern is written in very basic form and assumes that the maker is a fairly experienced Machine knitter so I don't go into detail about how to ewrap cast-on, make a heel, etc.
___________________________
Here is how I made them:
Cast on 27 sts.with e-wrap cast on using your cuff color.
Knit 6 rows in cuff color (or you could use your garter bar and do garter stitch for 6 rows. Don't have a garter bar?.......well, I happen to know where you can get one! (wink)
change to heel color and knit your heel, short rowing down to 11 sts then increasing back up to all stitches in work.
change to bottom foot color and knit 40 rows.
change to toe color and knit toe same as heel
change to top foot color and knit 40 rows
Knit 6 rows in cuff color and then bind off.

I sewed the seam on my sewing machine with as small a seam allowance as possible 1/8" or so, but you can also sew the sides shut using mattress stitch.
I felted mine in my top-loader washing machine. Finally, trim up any furry wool, shape it by putting it on your foot (I know, it's cold, wet and yucky but you want to get a perfect fit to your foot), now set it aside to air dry. Enjoy! I would love to see slippers that others make.
***For those wanting a thicker version of this pattern, see in my blog that I posted a version of this pattern using DOUBLE strands of yarn. I also sell a hand-knit version of this on my website. Happy Knitting!
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