When my brother was a kid he couldn’t pronounce “Grandma”, or “Gram”. What came out sounded more like “Bomb.” We started spelling it B-A-U-M, and it stuck.

For many Christmases, Baum knitted slippers for her her grandkids. I imagine her knocking these out over coffee and episodes of “Days of our Lives”. We all know the slipper, knitted flat from back to front, from garter stitch to ribbing, gathered at the toe, seamed at the instep and heel, and finished with a pom pom flourish. Often our pompoms were left uncut as a series of loops. Negative ease made them fit reliably.

This version uses modern materials and techniques. I specifically designed it because these techniques exist. Although not mindless to knit, you can still knock these out while binge-watching your favorite shows.

JMCO and a magic loop maneuver are needed even though these are essentially worked flat.

Length is customizable.

Although one could meet gauge with a worsted weight wool, I recommend using two strands of sock yarn held together as one. A springy superwash merino/nylon blend, held double and knit snugly will be hard-wearing and machine-washable. An added benefit is that holding two sock yarns together lets you use up odd bits and play with stripes and color.

I’m a huge fan of a two-stitch incorporated I-cord on the edge of garter stitch fabrics. It looks great. In this instance, it also provides beautiful place to seam invisibly on the instep. The result is a slipper that is completely reversible. It looks the same inside and out.