Free Crochet Felted Slippers Pattern: Wool Yarn and One Hot Wash

Step into cozy winter mornings with a pair of handmade wool slippers that shrink and soften in a single hot wash. This free crochet pattern guides you through making oversized charcoal and camel slippers in 100% wool, transforming loose stitches into thick, felted fabric.

Free Crochet Felted Slippers Pattern: Wool Yarn and One Hot Wash

Quick Facts

• Skill level: Intermediate
• Finished size: US women’s sizes 5 through 11 (pre-felted measurements provided in the size table)
• Yarn: 100% non-superwash wool (Charcoal grey and Camel)
• Hook: US J/10 (6.0 mm) crochet hook
• Stitches used: Chain (ch), slip stitch (sl st), single crochet (sc), half double crochet (hdc), front loop only (FLO), back loop only (BLO)
• Time to make: 4 to 6 hours total (plus washing machine time)

Size tips, gauge adjustments, and felting instructions are included further down to ensure your slippers fit perfectly.

What Makes This Project Special

The magic of these slippers lies in the traditional felting process. You will crochet the slippers significantly larger than your actual foot size, then run them through a hot washing machine cycle with a bit of detergent. The 100% wool fibers lock together, shrinking the fabric into a dense, cushiony, wind-blocking slipper that hugs your feet.

Skill Level

• Working in joined rounds and working flat or in the round for cuffs
• Basic shaping with increases and decreases
• Following size-specific stitch counts
• Operating a washing machine on a hot wash / agitate cycle

Don’t let the felting intimidate you—if you can basic crochet, you can make these.

Finished Measurements

Pre-felted measurements (slippers shrink by approximately 20-25% during the hot wash). Measurements are given as Pre-Felted Length (Post-Felted US Women’s Shoe Size).

Materials You Will Need

Yarn Suggestions

⚠️ Note: You MUST use 100% non-superwash wool. Superwash wool is treated to prevent shrinking and will NOT felt in the wash. Acrylic, cotton, and synthetic blends will also not felt.

Gauge

12 sts x 14 rows = 4 in / 10 cm in single crochet using a 6.0 mm hook with yarn held double. Check your gauge before starting to ensure proper post-wash shrinking.

Abbreviations

• ch: chain
• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• hdc: half double crochet
• inc: single crochet increase (2 sc in same st)
• dec: single crochet decrease (sc2tog)
• BLO: back loop only
• FLO: front loop only
• st(s): stitch(es)
• Rnd(s): round(s)

UK translation note: UK sc = US dc, UK hdc = US tr, UK dc = US dtr.

Special Stitches Explained

1. Magic Ring: A movable starting ring. Wrap yarn around your fingers, insert hook, draw up a loop, and work your first round of stitches into the ring. Pull the tail to close.
2. Invisible Decrease (dec): Insert hook into the front loop only of the next two stitches. Yarn over, draw through both front loops, yarn over, and draw through remaining two loops on hook.

Pattern Instructions

Pattern Notes

• Work with your chosen 100% wool yarn held double throughout the entire project (pulling one strand from the inside of the ball and one from the outside, or winding two cakes together).
• Rounds are joined with a slip stitch unless otherwise specified.
• The starting chain of each round does not count as a stitch.

Section 1: Sole (Charcoal Grey, make 2)

Rnd 1: Ch 16, work 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc in next 13 ch, 4 sc in last ch. Working along the opposite side of the foundation chain, sc in next 13 ch, join with sl st to first sc. (34 sc)

Rnd 2: Ch 1, inc in each of the first 3 sts, sc in next 13 sts, inc in each of the next 4 sts, sc in next 13 sts, inc in last st, join with sl st. (42 sc)

Rnd 3: Ch 1, (sc in next st, inc) x 3, sc in next 13 sts, (sc in next st, inc) x 4, sc in next 13 sts, sc in last st, inc in last st, join with sl st. (50 sc)

Rnd 4: Ch 1, (sc in next 2 sts, inc) x 3, sc in next 13 sts, (sc in next 2 sts, inc) x 4, sc in next 13 sts, sc in next 2 sts, inc, join with sl st. (58 sc)

Rnd 5: Ch 1, working in BLO, sc in each st around, join with sl st. (58 sc)

Rnds 6 to 9: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st. (58 sc)

✅ Checkpoint: At the end of Rnd 9, your sole piece should cup upward, forming the beginnings of the foot basin.

Section 2: Foot Body & Toe Shaping (Charcoal Grey, make 2)

Rnd 10: Ch 1, sc in next 18 sts, (dec) x 11, sc in next 18 sts, join with sl st. (47 sc)

Rnd 11: Ch 1, sc in next 16 sts, (dec) x 7, sc in next 17 sts, join with sl st. (40 sc)

Rnd 12: Ch 1, sc in next 15 sts, (dec) x 5, sc in next 15 sts, join with sl st. (35 sc)

Rnds 13 to 15: Ch 1, sc in each st around, join with sl st. (35 sc)

Section 3: Cuff & Collar (Camel, make 2)

Fasten off Charcoal Grey and join Camel yarn held double.

Rnd 16: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st. (35 hdc)

Rnd 17: Ch 1, working in BLO, hdc in each st around, join with sl st. (35 hdc)

Rnds 18 to 21: Ch 1, hdc in each st around, join with sl st. (35 hdc)

Fasten off, leaving a 6 in / 15 cm tail. Weave in all loose ends securely.

Assembly & Felting Instructions

1. Weave Ends: Double-check that all yarn tails are securely woven into the interior of the slippers.
2. The Felting Wash: Place both slippers inside a mesh laundry bag or a pillowcase tied shut. Toss them into your washing machine along with a pair of old jeans or tennis shoes (to provide agitation) and a small amount of regular laundry detergent.
3. Machine Settings: Set the machine to a Hot wash / Cold rinse cycle with high agitation.
4. Check Shrinkage: Monitor the cycle or check the slippers at the end of the wash. If they are still too large, run them through a second hot wash cycle.
5. Shape While Damp: Remove the slippers from the washer while still warm and damp. Stuff them with crumpled towels or place them directly onto your bare feet (wear thin socks if sensitive to wet wool) to mold them to your exact foot shape. Let them air dry completely.

Size Customization Tips

To adjust the slippers for larger or smaller feet, add or subtract stitches during the initial sole foundation chain (always keeping an even stitch count ratio for toe shaping). Each extra round of sole increases adds approximately 0.5 in / 1.3 cm to the total length.

Care Instructions

Once felted, hand wash your slippers in lukewarm water with mild wool detergent. Lay flat to dry away from direct heat sources. Do not machine wash or dry after the initial felting process, as they will continue to shrink.

FAQ

Can I use acrylic yarn for these slippers?

No. Acrylic yarn will not shrink or felt in hot water. You must use 100% untreated wool to achieve the dense fabric and shrinkage required for these slippers.

What if my slippers are still too big after one wash?

Simply put them back into the washing machine for another hot wash cycle. Check them every 10 minutes during the agitate cycle until they reach your desired fit.

Can I add leather soles to the bottom?

Yes! Once your slippers are completely dry after felting, you can sew suede or leather patches to the soles to prevent slipping on hardwood floors.

Happy Crocheting!

Nothing beats slipping your feet into a pair of warm, handmade wool slippers on a chilly morning. Save this free pattern to your Pinterest boards so it is ready whenever you pick up your hook, and leave a comment below letting us know what colors you chose!