Imperial Yarn Retro Thrum Slippers Booties Knitting Pattern

Imperial Yarn Retro Thrum Slippers

What Is Being Made

The Imperial Yarn Retro Thrum Slippers are a pair of cozy, felted-lined slippers crafted using an old tradition of thrum knitting. These slippers are designed to be worn around the home and will develop their own felted lining during wear, providing lasting comfort and durability. Available in three sizes—Small, Medium, and Large—with finished lengths of 7, 8, and 9 inches respectively, these slippers suit every member of the family.

Techniques Used

This project employs several key knitting techniques to achieve its functional design:

• Bottom-Up Construction: The slippers are worked from the bottom up, allowing you to try them on as you progress and adjust the fit as needed.
• Worked Flat: Rather than working in the round, this pattern is constructed flat on straight needles, then seamed together to form the finished slipper.
• Seamed Assembly: After knitting the flat pieces, they are seamed together using a tapestry needle to create the three-dimensional slipper shape.
• Thrum Knitting: A traditional technique where roving fibers are incorporated directly into the knitted fabric. Thrums are folded pieces of wool roving that are knitted into stitches, creating a textured interior that felts with wear and washing, forming a natural, cushioned lining.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout this pattern is Garter Stitch, created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch produces a reversible, textured fabric with horizontal ridges on both sides. Garter stitch is ideal for slippers because it creates a dense, durable fabric that provides structure and warmth. The pattern also incorporates basic stitch techniques including knit stitches, decreases for shaping, and Make One increases for expanding the slipper dimensions as needed.

Materials: Yarn, Roving, and Needles

Yarn: Imperial Yarn Columbia, 100% wool, 2 skeins. The yarn shown in the pattern is color 24 Juniper Green. Columbia wool is sourced from Imperial Stock Ranch, a historic ranch located near Shaniko, Oregon, USA, ensuring high-quality, domestically-produced fiber.

Roving: Imperial Yarn Sliver Roving, 100% wool, 2 ounces (57 grams). The roving shown is color 01 Natural. This roving is torn into pieces approximately 3 inches long and 1/4 inch wide, then gently twisted and folded to create the thrums that will be knitted into the slipper fabric.

Needles: US size 10 (6 mm) needles are used for this project.

Additional Notions: A tapestry needle is required for seaming the flat-knitted pieces together.

Gauge and Skill Level

The gauge for this pattern is 6.5 stitches and 14 rows over 2 inches (5 cm) in Garter Stitch. This intermediate-level project requires familiarity with basic knitting techniques and the ability to follow pattern instructions for thrum placement and slipper construction. The thrum knitting technique, while traditional, adds a layer of complexity that makes this project suitable for knitters with some experience.

Pattern Credit: This design has been adapted from Mule Spinner Yarn's original pattern with permission. The pattern is authorized for non-commercial use only and is copyright Imperial Stock Ranch, 2009.