What I did:

I tried to use the calculator at http://www.thehookandi.com/2016/02/26/slipper-calculator/ to adjust the pattern for a U.S. man’s size 10 (U.K. size 9, European size 43). The calculated cast-on for my husband’s size was 60 stitches (the original pattern size used a cast-on of 50 stitches).

Note: U.S., U.K., and European shoe sizes are compared in this graphic and article.

2021-06-01

I knitted up to the cuff, but the slipper was too large. It looked like the sole was the right size, so I decided to limit the increases to 24 (six garter ridges with four increases for each ridge). This was the same number of increases as in the original pattern size. I ripped back to the sole and took out the seventh garter ridge.

2021-06-02

I knitted back to the cuff today and changed the instep back to the original eight stitches in the center, as in the original pattern, rather than the ten stitches in the center as suggested by the pattern generator calculator.

I started the cuff immediately after the last decrease row with one round of plain knitting before beginning the k2, p2 ribbing. I slipped the first stitch and began the color change on the second stitch. The ribbing also began on the second stitch so that the ribbing would be balanced, left-and-right, in the center of the instep.

After eleven rounds (one plain and ten ribbing), I bound off with the Icelandic bind-off.

What I learned:

Garter-stitch sole - color A:

• U.S. size 9 (5.5 mm) straight needles
• provisional cast-on (60 stitches), work four garter-stitch rows in waste yarn (prep for Russian grafting)
• begin knitting with project yarn color A - work two rows on 60 stitches
• begin four lifted increases every other row for 6 pairs of rows - to 84 stitches

Stockinette-stitch upper - color B:

R1 - knit

R2 - move stitches to four U.S. size 9 (5.5 mm) double-pointed needles and join for stockinette-stitch in-the-round - knit one round (84stitches)

(See Non-Felted Slippers Biscotte’s version for help with knitting this pattern in-the-round.)

• 1st needle - 21 stitches
• 2nd needle - 17 stitches, place marker, 4 stitches
• 3rd needle - 4 stitches, place marker, 17 stitches
• 4th needle - 21 stitches

R3 - decrease round

• 1st needle - knit 21
• 2nd needle - knit 10 , ssk, ssk, centered double decrease, slip marker, knit 4 (17 stitches)
• 3rd needle - knit 4, slip marker, centered double decrease, k2tog, k2tog, knit 10 (17 stitches)
• 4th needle - knit 21

R4 - knit (76 stitches)

R5 - decrease round

• 1st needle - knit 21
• 2nd needle - knit 6, ssk, ssk, centered double decrease, slip marker, knit 4 (13 stitches)
• 3rd needle - knit 4, slip marker, centered double decrease, k2tog, k2tog, knit 6 (13 stitches)
• 4th needle - knit 21

R6 - knit (68 stitches)

R7 - begin instep

Cuff in double-ribbing - color A - 36 stitches:

• Icelandic bind-off for an attractive edge on double ribbing: https://www.10rowsaday.com/icelandic-bindoff

Finishing

• Russian grafting to join stitches on sole - tutorial: https://www.10rowsaday.com/russian-grafting

• Russian grafting with a crochet hook - YouTube video: https://tinyurl.com/Russian-Grafting--Crochet-Hook

What I’ll do next time:

I want to try a cast-on between the original 50 given in the pattern and the 60 I used for these men’s size 10 slippers. The original 50 cast-on is a little small for a women’s size 8 with RHSS on size 9 needles. I plan to try casting on 54 stitches for an in-between size.

Other possibilities include changing the yarn and/or needle size. The sample I test-knit with a cast-on of 50, in Wool-Ease held double on size 9 needles, stretched to fit my size pretty well.

My Wool-Ease sample project is here: Non-felted Slippers - test for size

Other worsted-yarns that are lighter than RHSS may knit up to be more stretchy, like my Wool-Ease sample. Dk-weight yarns might also work, perhaps on size 8 needles.

Since the sturdy fabric RHSS fabric does not stretch as much, it might be nice to try using size 10 needles and a cast-on of 46. The fabric may be a little more stretchy and the work might be a little easier on my hands.

Similar “short-row” slipper patterns for exploring these kinds of options include:

• Better Dorm Boots Slippers

• Better Dorm Boots for Men

• …