Taos Slipper Boots by Make and Do Crew

Taos Slipper Boots

Materials Needed

1. Flip Flops to use for soles - I got mine on clearance at our little local Family Dollar Store for .50 I have heard some people by a bit more expensive ones that have thicker soles...I used what was available and totally in budget since these were to be gifts and I needed to make 3 pairs.
2. Worsted weight yarn (just a little for the sc round on the sole.)
3.  Super Bulky weight yarn - The pattern called for Lion Brand Thick and Quick. I used a Bulky weight yarn I ordered through Ice Yarns. It was not as bulky as I had hoped but It still worked up really well. I did not make any pattern changes and they fit the recipients great! 
4. HOOKS - Ok this pattern uses lots of hooks, it seems odd but there is really a reason for it I promise. So you need a small hook pattern called for a 2.25mm However I could not for the life of me get mine to hook and pull the worsted weight yarn through the sole and ended up using my 3 mm hook. You'll also need a K 6.5mm (mine is a 7.0 and worked fine), an L 8mm and an MN 9mm. 
5. A large needle or awl of some type for punching holes in the soles. The pdf of this pattern comes with a printable punching guide. I just eye balled it and punched about every 1/3 inch or maybe a little closer. I did count my punches and made sure each sole in a pair had the same number of punches. 
6. scissors and a yarn needle for weaving in ends.
7. E6000 glue for plugging the holes of the flip flops.
8. Patience. Loads of patience. Silence might help on the first pair too. Don't get me wrong this is an EASY pattern, just pay attention.

This is a great pattern. I love that its done in a bulky yarn, making the finished slippers nice and cozy, and I love the flip flop soles making them great to walk out to grab the mail or stand in the kitchen after kids have tracked in snow (maybe that's just my house). 

The hardest part of this pattern for me really was punching the holes in the soles. I tried to get a good angle and get the hole straight through to make the first round of sc easier. This is the part that requires patience. DON'T RUSH. Take your time so you don't make too shallow of holes and keep them spaced evenly. (That printable guide is probably handy to have) 

READ the pattern. Yes the whole pattern. I know a lot of you will just jump in like I did on the first one and then miss needing switch hooks or maybe not think to glue the holes shut until after you attach the slipper top to the sole....which I do NOT recommend because you might end up getting really goopy hands trying to glue them and not get glue on the inside of the slipper....

SO do the sole work first, or at least before you attach the soles to the slipper tops.

Have a pen handy to mark off the rows as you go. I got lost more than once and had a heck of a time counting rows to figure out where I was. By the 3rd pair my pattern is a mess of marks, 

The slipper bodies work up so fast!! Seriously once you have a handle on when to switch hooks these just FLY off the hook!! I made the 3rd pair in just 2 days, I did the bodies on my lunch break (30 minutes each day so about an hour total) then punched the soles the second evening at home and attached them all together. 

So if you've wondered about trying these, the pattern is really well written, the are pretty low cost, and they are fast to hook up. GO for it. You won't regret it. Go here for the pattern

Now I just need to find time to make me a pair!!! 

Enjoy!

Loves

UM