Tutorial - Knitted Slipper Pattern January 21st 2014

Do you recall that Linda knitted "Minion Slippers" for her two girls?  I have been meaning to add that pattern for you, but always seem to run out of time, so here it is this week.

This is a photo she took of the one pair of slipper's and then realised she forgot to embroider the smile on the face, but don't they still look great.

The basic pattern is easy and you can change it up to be whatever you'd like, even adding a crochet flower to the front for decoration.

You need a ball of thick yarn, or two strands of double knitting yarn.  One pair of size 5.5mm needles

Basic Pattern 
Instructions are for Child's size with changes for Women's and Men's in parentheses
Cast on 27 (29 - 35) sts

HEEL:  TOE:
Row 1: this is wrong side - K9(9-11), P1, K7,(9-11), P1, K9,(9-11)  
Row 2: Knit all stitches
Repeat these 2 rows for 5 (6-8) ins., or 2 (2 1/2-2 1/2) inches less than the desired finished length.  
TOE:
Row 1: P1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to end  
Row 2: K1, *P1, K1 repeat from * to end  
Repeat these 2 rows of ribbing for 1-1/2"(2-2)ins ending on wrong side  

First Decrease Row: work ribbing over 7(7-9) stitches, *slip next st onto needle, K1st, then pass the slipped stitch over (psso), K1, K2tog.*, work 3(5-7) sts in rib, repeat the instruction between* once.  Finish row in ribbing:  23(25-31) 
Next Row: Work 7(7-9) sts rib, P3, work 3(5-7) sts rib, P3 finish to end of row
2nd Decrease Row:  Work 6(6-8)sts, * K2 tog, K1, slip 1, K1 psso *, work 1(3-5) sts and then repeat between * once, finish row.  19(21-27)  
Break yarn leaving about 12" for sewing.  Thread yarn into yarn needle and weave through remaining stitches on needle. Pull yarn tightly to close and secure the toe end. Sew from toe edge to ankle about 3(4-5)inches or just enough for your foot to go inside the slipper.  Re-attach the yarn at the heel and sew the back heel seam in an upside down "T".  The two sides stitched together and the sole piece squished to make upside down "T" and sewn up.

When our daughters were young, I made an extra pair of soles for each pair of slippers.  Sewed them on, removing them when they wore out, and replacing them with another pair.  The body of the slipper never wore out, but of course the soles did, so this increased the life of the slippers for them.

If you plan on making a "Minion" slipper, then just follow the basic idea in the photo above.  Changing from blue to yellow just in front of the ankle and part way along the front, knitting 2 rows of ribbing in black for the strap.  The eye was a crocheted circle with a black button sewn on.  
Consider to a Googly Eye for added interest.