These wonderfully simple 1912 “slumber slippers” are made from a ribbed rectangle that is folded and joined into a soft sleeping slipper. The construction is an excellent example of how economical many historical crochet designs could be.
Materials
- About 3 ounces fourfold Germantown wool
- Medium-sized crochet hook
The source notes that a larger No. 7 or 8 hook gives very soft work but may become too thin after washing, and suggests approximately No. 9 or 10 instead. Historical hook numbers should not be treated as direct modern metric equivalents.
Vintage Instructions
Make an easy foundation chain about 9 inches long. Work 1 single crochet in every stitch.
Row 2: Chain 1 to turn. Work single crochet in the back loop of every stitch.
Repeat Row 2 until the piece measures 18 inches long for an ordinary adult foot.
Assembly
Join the two long sides softly and evenly. Lay the work perfectly flat and fold so the same number of rows lies on each side of the end seam. Join the end edges softly to form a bag approximately 9 inches deep.
Work a row of single crochet around the top, followed by a round of eyelets and a small edging or scallop.
Finishing
Make a substantial crochet chain and run it through the eyelets, adding tassels if desired. The source also suggests elastic at the ankle with a ribbon bow at the front. When worn, one end of the front seam sits toward the toes and the other beneath the heel.
Crochet Board Editorial Note
This pattern is especially easy to resize: make the starting chain to the desired slipper depth and adjust the rectangle length to fit comfortably around the foot before seaming.
Vintage Source
Publication: Priscilla Wool Crochet Book
Editor: Lola Burks Hettich
Publisher: The Priscilla Publishing Company, Boston
Year: 1912
Original printed page: 19 (scan pages 22–23)
Rights: Public-domain historical work. The Library of Congress states that books in this collection are in the public domain and are free to use and reuse.