Scrumptious Shagged Slipper Socks, PDF pattern

About the Design

Shagging is a hundreds-of-years old technique, used by hand knitters in New England and Canada, to make handknit mittens warmer. Robin Hansen described this technique well in "Homespun Handknit" and in "Flying Geese and Partridge Feet" and shows mitten patterns using the technique.

I haven’t seen the technique used on slippers or slipper socks, though, and thought it was ideally suited to the purpose.

The shagging adds a cushy, inner layer to the slipper sock, further protecting the feet from any cold drafts. The socks are easy to knit and the shagging is fun and quick -to-do, after the socks are knit. I’ve worked up this pattern in 6 sizes, covering children through men’s sizes.

One photo shows the shagged interior of the slipper sock.

Now, what makes these slipper socks scrumptious? The yarn – Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, used double – it is so soft and cozy.

I’ve used 2 colors together in each of the samples, for a marled effect – some are bright, especially the children’s socks, others are muted and earthy. Lamb’s Pride comes in a wide array of colors, so choose the two you like best!

Sizes

Sm. Child / Med. Child / Lg. Child – Sm. Wom. (Med. Wom. / Lg. Wom. Med. Men)

Materials

Brown Sheep Lamb’s Pride Worsted, 85% wool/ 15% mohair, 190 yd/4 oz pull skeins:

1 / 1 / 1 (2 / 2 / 2) skeins each of 2 colors (for a tweedy effect).

US size 8 (5 mm) double pointed needles (dpns)

US size 9 (5.5 mm) and 9 (5.5 mm) dpns

1, US size 11 (8 mm) dpn (for the shagging)

Stitch markers

Tapestry needle

Gauge

15 sts and 22 rnds = 4″ (10 cm) 3.75 sts and 5.5 rnds = 1″ (2.5 cm) over st st with 2 strands yarn held together and size 9 ndls, or size to give gauge.

If using one color of yarn, you will need 210 / 260 / 375 / (410 / 515 / 600) yards total per pair of socks, or 2 / 2 / 2 (3 / 3 / 4) skeins.

Substitute Yarn Wt.

Worsted to Heavy Worsted used double

Skill Level: Intermediate

Happy Knitting!

Dawn