Magic Forest Slipper Socks

  

Keep your toes toasty this winter with a new pair of stranded colorwork slipper socks.  These socks are knit in the round from the toe up, with a slight positive ease in the width. An afterthought heel is used so that the colorwork remains uninterrupted. Non-slip fabric may be sewn to the sole for extra traction.

Click here to download the pdf version!

Or just follow along on this page.  Video tutorials are down below to get you started.  

Finished Dimensions 

One size is given to work for a woman’s size 8 shoe size.  Adjust the circumference by adding or subtracting four sts (two sts at each side).  Plan for your afterthought heel placement (I like to call it an aforethought heel) by subtracting 2.25” from the length of your foot.  Note this number - it is the length of your work where you begin your heel.

Width at ball of foot: 9”
Length: 10”

Supplies - Included in Box

  • Yardage Estimates for socks with 4 colors
    • MC: Crimson - 1 Ball (110 yds)
    • CC1: Chartreuse - 1 Ball (80 yds)
    • CC2: Hawthorn - 1 Ball (50 yds)
    • CC3: Nighthawk - 10 yds
  • Optional Contrast Yardage Estimates for socks with 7 colors
    • CC4: Scotch Broom - 10 yds
    • CC5: Sunset - 12 yds (Chart 2 Only)
    • CC6: Foxglove - 8 yds (Chart 2 Only)
    • CC7: Paprika - 12 yds (Chart 3 Only)
    • CC8: Coral - 12 yds (Chart 3 Only)
  • Non-slip fabric for soles
  • Red carpet thread
  • Stitch Markers

      Supplies - Not Included

      • Needles:
        • 3mm (32” long) circular needles for magic loop or 3mm dpns
        • Extra needles (3mm or smaller) for picking up heel sts
      • Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
      • Sewing needle

      Special techniques

      Watch the tutorial videos below for  the Figure 8 Cast On,  Cat Bordhi’s Whirlpool Toe for toe-up socks, and Lori’s Twisty Bind Off.

      An excellent step-by-step tutorial for an afterthought heel can be found on the Nimble Needles blog: https://nimble-needles.com/patterns/how-to-knit-an-afterthought-heel/.  One note is that I prefer to shape the sides of the heel without any stitches between the ssk and k2tog.

      Abbreviations

      beg - begin(s/ning)
      BO - bind off
      BOR - beg of rnd
      CO - cast on
      cont - continue
      k2tog - knit two together
      LL1 - left lifted increase
      pm - place marker
      rep - repeat
      rnd(s) - round(s)
      st(s) - stitch(es)

      Colorwork Charts

      NOTE: Reading from right to left, the first 32 sts of chart make up the bottom of the foot (the sole), and the last 32 sts make up the top of the foot (the instep).

      Chart 1 - Use this chart for socks with four colors. You have all of the colors needed in your November subscription box. 

      Download the pdf version to view numbers in focus - https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/7494/7331/files/Magic_Forest_Socks-4-color-chart.pdf?v=1731949787



      Chart 2 - Use this chart for socks with seven colors.  You will have all of the colors needed if you have both the October & November subscription boxes.

      Download the pdf version to view numbers in focus -

      https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/7494/7331/files/Magic_Forest_Socks-Oct-chart.pdf?v=1731949787 

       

      Chart 3 - Use this chart for socks with seven colors.  You will have all of the colors needed if you have the September,  October & November subscription boxes.  Sample is shown in this colorway.

      Download the pdf version to view numbers in focus -

       https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0550/7494/7331/files/Magic_Forest_Socks-sept-chart.pdf?v=1731949787

      Directions

      With MC and circular needle, CO 6 sts using the Figure 8 cast on. After casting on, three sts will be on one side of circular needles and three sts on the other. Beg working in the round.

      Rnd 1: *K1, LLI; rep from * around - 12 sts.
      Rnd 2: Knit
      Construction Note: When using magic loop, whirlpool toe increases occur before markers, and on last st. of each side for a total of 6 increases per increase rnd. When using dpns, position needles so that 4 of the increases occur after the last stitch on a needle, and 2 occur between sts. Place markers for the between sts increases, and mark the first side with a distinctive marker.
      Note: directions assume magic loop technique is used.

      Whirlpool Toe
      Rnd 3: K2, LLI, pmA, K2, LLI, pm, K2, LLI, K2, LLI, pm, K2 LLI, pm, K2 LLI - 18 sts
      Rnd 4: Knit
      Rnd 5: *(K to marker, LLI) twice, K the last st on needle, LLI;  rep other side of needle. - 24 sts.
      Rnd 6: Knit
      Rep rnds 5 and 6 until you have 60 sts on needles.
      NOTE: on the next rnd only 4 increases are worked.
      Next Rnd: *K to marker, LLI; rep to end of rnd - 64 sts. 
      Work even 2 rnds in MC.  Remove all markers except marker A.
      Next Rnd: Begin following your selected chart. 

      Optional Gussets
      NOTE: You will need a short gusset at the sides of your sock if the angled circumference from heel, around ankle and back to starting point (measurement B in the diagram below) is more than 11”, or you have high arches. Gusset sts are not included in charts. Gussets are optional, but recommended for a roomier fit.

      When work measures 7” (or length of your foot - 3.25”) add gussets by increasing as follows:
      Next rnd: RLI, K 31 according to chart, LLI, K1, RLI, K to last st before BOR, LLI - 68 sts.
      Next rnd: Knit
      Rep these two rounds one time - 72 sts.
      NOTE: It may be helpful to pm on either side of gussets. 
      Cont to work even, following chart.   

      Afterthought Heel - Part 1
      When work measures 8” (or length of your foot - 2.25”), and you’ve completed a pattern repeat, drop foreground color.  Note this rnd on chart.
      Next Rnd: K around in background color (CC2 or CC1).Switch to MC, leaving a 4" tail - do not weave in this tail.  Do not break background color. 
      Next Rnd: K 32 (36 with gussets) in MC, break yarn leaving a 4" tail - do not weave in this tail. Slide sts to other side of needle,  switch to background color, k around 64 (72) sts to BOR.
      Cont working even, following chart where you left off.

      Optional Extension
      For taller socks, work rnds 3-41 one or even two more times before finishing chart with rnds 43 - 63. Without extending pattern, the socks come up over the ankle, to lower calf.

      Cuff Ribbing
      Work last row of chart.
      Next Rnd: *K1, p1; rep to end of rnd.
      Rep ribbing rnd 5 more times.
      BO with Lori’s Twisty Bind Off.

      Afterthought Heel - Part 2
      With dpn or circular needle pick up the right leg only of the 32 (36) sts below the scrap yarn afterthought heel. Turn work upside down so that the cuff is at the bottom. With a second dpn or smaller needle, again pick up the right leg only of 32 (36) sts below the scrap yarn afterthought heel. Remove scrap yarn.
      CONSTRUCTION NOTE:  If using dpns, position gaps so that two of the gaps between sts occurs at either side. Decreases are made at the sides of the heel.
      With background color (CC2 or CC1), beg working in the rnd.
      First Rnd: RLI, K32 (36), LLI, RLI, K32 (36), LLI - 36 (40) sts.
      Work even for 2 rnds in bg color.  Switch to MC. There should be 36 (40) sts on each needle, with gaps at the sides of the foot.
      Next Rnd: Knit
      Next Rnd: In MC,  ssk, k to last 2 sts on needle, k2tog; rep for other side.
      Rep these two rnds until 20 sts remain (using magic loop: 10 sts on each needle, or using dpns: 5 sts on each needle).
      CONSTRUCTION NOTE: If you have gaps at the sides where the heel joins the foot, you may reinforce this area using duplicate stitch, or remove excess yarn by working it into adjacent stitches.
      Finishing
      Graft/kitchener the two sides together.  
      Weave in ends and block.

      Optional Non-Slip Soles
      For non-slip slippers, use fabric provided to cut out toe and heel pieces.  Pin and sew onto sole with your preference of whip stitch or basket stitch.

       

      Figure 8 Cast On Video

      Whirlpool Toe - Part 1

       

      Whirlpool Toe, Part 2

       

      Lori's Twisty Bindoff

       

       

      Enjoy!

       

       

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