Bulky Slipper Socks for the Cold Months

I don’t know about you but my feet get so cold all winter long. I recently wore down my old slipper socks to just a few stray threads so I decided I needed to make my next pair myself 🙂 This is a simple pattern for some comfy, cozy, and most importantly WARM slipper socks. Please keep in mind again that I am a left handed knitter but I will do my best to adapt this pattern to a right handed knit design as this is the most common.

Rather download the PDF? Click the button below

Download

Materials Used

1-2 balls of Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick (they come in 5oz or 6oz balls) (yarn usage clarified below)
Size 8mm (US 11) ChiaoGoo circular needles in length 60cm (24″)
tapestry needle for weaving in ends
row counter
stitch markers
scissors

Yarn Usage Clarification

I made three different sizes of slipper socks for gifts in 2020. Depending on the size of the slipper sock you’re making and how large the ball of yarn is, you may need a second ball. There were 3 main variations that I knit using this pattern:

With a 5oz ball of chunky yarn, you can knit the smaller size without needing a contrast color unless desired. For the next sizes you will need either a second ball of yarn or a contrast color for the cuffs. Contrast color for the toe is only if desired.

With a 6oz ball of chunky yarn you can knit all sizes without needing a second ball or contrast color unless desired.

Techniques and Design Overview

This pattern is meant to be a very simple knit. If this is your first time knitting socks, I think this is a great pattern to start with. I was able to knit one pair of socks in probably about 4-5 hours of leisurely knitting while watching a show. If you really wanted to speed through the pattern you could do a pair in much less time 🙂

Below are some videos I used for reference/refresher on heel flaps and heel turns as well as my favorite video for Kitchener stitch. One of the videos could not be embedded but I have included the link.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weCpLXO4kBg&ab_channel=PurlTogether – for the heel flap and heel turn

https://www.thesprucecrafts.com/sock-knitting-terms-3876011 – for learning the parts of a sock

Gauge

3cm x 3cm stockinette – 3st, 4 rows
3cm x 3cm k1, p1 rib – 3st, 4 rows
10cm x 10cm stockinette – 9.5st, 14 rows

I use two sets of gauges so I can double check my math while doing calculations to avoid mistakes.

Step by Step

The directions are the same for all sizes until the length of the foot. I will make a note where to change colors if using a contrast color for the cuff and/or toe.

Cuff and Leg

Cast on 28 stitches (in contrast color if using). Place marker at the beginning of the round. Knitting in the round, K1, P1 rib for 5 rows. (Change to main color if using contrast). Knit another 3 rows for a total of 8.

Heel Flap

Turn the piece, you will only be using the last 14 stitches you worked in row 8 now. Reset the row counter to zero. Slip the first stitch, purl 12, slip the last stitch. Turn the work. (Knit 1, sl 1) x6, knit 1, bring the yarn to the front of the work, slip the last stitch. Repeat these last two steps for a total of 14 rows, ending on a RS row.

Heel Turn

Turn the piece. For this section, you may want to do it in one sitting as the directions can get a little confusing and it’s easier this way.

Slip the first stitch, purl to the last 5 stitches, p2tog, turn

Slip 1 st, knit 4, ssk, turn

Slip 1 st, purl 4, p2tog, turn

Repeat the last two rows until there are 6 stitches left on the needle, ending on a RS row.

Picking up Stitches and Gusset Decreases

Here you will be picking up stitches along the sides of the heel flap that was created.

Row 1: Pick up 4 stitches along the left side of the heel flap, place the row counter or a stitch marker to mark where the beginning of the row will be, pick up 3 more stitches. Knit across the 14 instep stitches. Pick up 3 stitches along the right side of the heel flap, place a stitch marker, pick up 4 more stitches. Knit to the marker placed for the beginning of the row.

Row 2: Knit 2 stitches, k2tog, knit to 4 stitches before the next marker, k2tog, knit to the end of the row

Row 3: Knit

Row 4: Knit 1 stitch, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before the next marker, k2tog, knit to the end of the row

Row 5: knit

Row 6: K2tog, knit to 2 stitches before the next marker, k2tog, knit to the end of the row

Row 7: Knit

For a women’s size 7-8 knit to row 17

For a women’s size 8-9 knit to row 19

For a women’s size 9-10 or a men’s size 10-11 knit to row 21

For larger or smaller foot sizes you can add or subtract 2 rows based on the above

Shaping the Toes

The toes are shaped so that they will fit the left and right foot better. The left sock has heavier decreasing on the left side, and the right has heavier decreasing on the right side.

If you are unsure which decrease to use, this post is a great resource to figure it out.

(Change to contrast color if using)

Reset the row counter to 0 for sock 1 (the second sock will be made the same to this point, sock 2 toe directions are below)

Row 1: Knit 1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches of the row, ssk, knit 1

Row 2: Knit

Row 3: Knit 1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before marker, ssk, knit 2, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, knit 1

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: Knit 1, k2tog, knit to the last 3 stitches of the row, ssk, knit 1

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: Knit 1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before marker, ssk, knit 2, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, knit 1

Row 8: Knit

Row 9: Knit 1, k2tog, knit to 3 stitches before marker, ssk, knit 2, k2tog, knit to last 3 stitches, ssk, knit 1

Cut the thread about 3 times the width of the toe. Rearrange the stitches so that the 6 stitches on either side of the markers line up. Kitchener stitch across the remaining 12 stitches.

Reset the row counter to 0 for sock 2

Row 1: Knit to 3 stitches before the marker, ssk, knit 2, k2tog, knit to the end of the row