16 ply slippers

In May, when Bendigo Woollen Mills offered a 16ply yarn, made by recycling their leftover wool, bamboo, silk, cotton and alpaca, I bought three balls to experiment with. At the same time, I had bought a copy of Pauliina Kuunsola's Soothing Stitches: knits for a quiet mind,  which included a pattern for slippers - in 16 ply.

I gave up knitting slippers over ten years ago, when those I had been knitting in quantity kept slipping off the heel. This pattern  extended well over the ankle and invited me to try again.

My brother's birthday is in early May and I had not sent a present, so I took up my needles.

The pattern is relatively simple. You knit from the toe, in the round to the ankle, then flat to the heel, cast off and join the back seam. The pattern leaves the turnover loose, but I thought it better to stitch it down. Although I worked the largest of the three sizes given in the pattern, my brother. whose feet are average size for a man, reports them being a bit of a stretch.

I bought a pair of wooden sock blockers from the Yarn Trader. I'm sure, had I blocked my brother's pair, they would fit perfectly (when it's warmer, he can, of course wet them and wear them until dry!).  

My next pair, still knitting the largest size, was for a friend's July birthday. Her feet are, I'm sure, still smaller than mine, although it's decades since we compared. I tried them on the blockers, but didn't actually block them. The colours are not intended to indicate gender - just following what I thought the recipient would like. They are both of the colour intensity I like.

I've used up the remainder of these two balls for scales of justice on the beanies, but I am up to knitting more should these prove a hit. I love working in this Elixir 16 ply yarn

I can post this now that both pair are delivered to (notice I’ve avoided in the hands of, wouldn't want to invite puns) the intended recipients and hopefully doing their job in this winter weather.