The Windermere Wool Slippers: A Free Knitting Pattern for Cozy, Cabled House Socks

Wrap Your Feet in Luxury: Introducing the Windermere Wool Slippers

Imagine the cozy warmth of a crackling fireplace in the English Lake District. That's the feeling you'll get with every step in these richly textured Windermere Wool Slippers. This free knitting pattern creates a pair of ankle-high house socks featuring a stunning braided cable panel that runs up the leg and across the foot. The soft, folded cuff adds a touch of classic comfort, making these slippers the perfect project for chilly evenings and a wonderful handmade gift. Whether you're a cable enthusiast or a confident beginner looking for a new challenge, this pattern will guide you to create a luxurious, handcrafted accessory you'll never want to take off.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following supplies. The pattern is designed for a cozy, durable finish.

• Yarn: Aran weight wool yarn (approximately 200-250 yards). The sample uses Cascade 220 Heathers in 'Charcoal', but any similar wool blend will work beautifully.
• Needles: US 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (or a circular needle for the magic loop method), plus a cable needle.
• Gauge: 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch, after light felting/blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is crucial for the perfect fit.
• Notions: Stitch markers (optional), tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizes: Women's US 7-8 (9-10). Instructions for the smaller size are given first; larger size is in parentheses.

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• C4F: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, k2, k2 from cable needle
• C4B: Slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, k2, k2 from cable needle
• K2tog: Knit two together
• SSK: Slip slip knit
• P2tog: Purl two together
• St(s): Stitch(es)

Cuff

CO 40 (44) sts. Distribute evenly over 4 DPNs (10/10/10/10 or 11/11/11/11). Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Knit 12 rounds of 2x2 rib (k2, p2).

Leg

Work the following cable pattern for 10 rounds:

• Round 1: *K2, P2, C4F, P2, K2, P2, C4B, P2* repeat from * to * once more (for 40 sts) or work the pattern across all stitches (for 44 sts, adjust by adding 2 extra purl stitches evenly spaced in the first repeat).
• Round 2-4: *K2, P2, K4, P2, K2, P2, K4, P2* repeat.
• Round 5: *K2, P2, C4B, P2, K2, P2, C4F, P2* repeat.
• Round 6-10: same as round 2-4.

Repeat these 10 rounds once more (20 rounds total of leg).

Heel Flap

Work back and forth on half the stitches (20 or 22 sts) on one needle. Leave remaining stitches on hold for instep.

• Row 1 (RS): Slip 1, K1, *slip 1, K1* repeat across.
• Row 2 (WS): Slip 1, purl across.

Repeat these 2 rows for 16 (18) rows total, ending with a WS row.

Turn Heel

• Row 1 (RS): K12 (13), SSK, K1, turn.
• Row 2 (WS): Slip 1, P5 (6), P2tog, P1, turn.
• Row 3: Slip 1, K to 1 stitch before gap, SSK (knit the stitch before gap and the stitch after gap together), K1, turn.
• Row 4: Slip 1, P to 1 stitch before gap, P2tog, P1, turn.

Repeat rows 3-4 until all stitches are worked. You should have 12 (14) stitches remaining.

Gusset

With RS facing, pick up and knit 9 (10) stitches along the left side of the heel flap. Knit across the 20 (22) instep stitches (maintaining cable pattern if desired, or just knit them). Pick up and knit 9 (10) stitches along the right side of the heel flap. Knit half of the heel stitches onto the first needle. You now have stitches on 4 needles: Needle 1: heel half + picked up sts, Needle 2: instep, Needle 3: instep, Needle 4: picked up sts + remaining heel half.

Decrease Round

• Round 1: Knit all stitches.
• Round 2: On Needle 1: knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1. On Needle 4: K1, SSK, knit to end. Knit across Needles 2 and 3.

Repeat rounds 1-2 until you have 10 (11) stitches on Needle 1 and 10 (11) on Needle 4. Total stitches: 40 (44).

Foot

Knit every round until the foot measures approximately 7 (8) inches from the back of the heel, or 1.5 inches less than desired total foot length.

Toe

• Round 1: *K1, SSK, K to last 3 sts on needle, K2tog, K1* repeat for all 4 needles (8 sts decreased).
• Round 2: Knit.

Repeat rounds 1-2 until 16 (20) sts remain. Then repeat round 1 only (decrease every round) until 8 (12) sts remain. Cut yarn, thread through remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in ends.

Finishing

Weave in all ends. Lightly wet block the slippers to shape, or felt them in a washing machine on a gentle cycle with hot water for 10 minutes to tighten the fabric. Air dry.

Repeat for second slipper.