In Summer, I spend all day in sandals — and then in the evenings my feet get cold!  But just as shoes feel confining during the day, socks feel confining at night.  So, I decided to knit myself some Summer Slippers (although I call them “tusset” which is the Finnish word for slippers — and the word I have used since childhood).  Something warm-ish, but also airy and light.  And something that would make me smile when I see my feet propped up on the ottoman in the evening.

When I discovered Willamette Valley Wool Company’s gorgeous merino yarn in “Enchanted Forest,” I said “Yes,  please!!” And knew I had my inspiration.

I began perusing  patterns and knew I wanted something totally old school.  The kind people wore before you could buy Dearfoams at the mall.  So, I turned to Elizabeth Zimmerman’s designs — and in Knit One Knit All, I found “Knitted Clogs.”  Practical, whimsical, humble, brilliant.  Garter stitch for coziness.  Short row shaping for fit.  Pointy toes for joy.  I had to mess about with the numbers because my yarn was thicker (and my feet bigger!) than what the pattern called for — but her designs are so sensible (and brilliant) that it was not difficult.

As I was figuring and knitting, though, I knew that I needed to add something.  “Enchanted Forest.”  It needed a leaf.  So, I pulled out Nicky Epstein’s Knitted Embellishments and knitted up the most enchanting leaf to use as a sort of “strap” on top of the foot (though the slipper is designed to snug onto the foot nicely and mine did, I tend to wriggle my feet and I knew it would slipper right off!).

So, my Enchanting Summer Tusset!