Harvest Moon Cable Knit Slippers: A Cozy Autumn Knitting Pattern

As the leaves begin to turn and the air carries that crisp autumn chill, there's nothing quite like slipping your feet into a pair of handcrafted, warm slippers. The Harvest Moon Cable Knit Slippers are the perfect project to welcome the season. With their rich, pumpkin spice color palette and beautifully textured cable pattern, these house shoes are more than just footwear—they're a cozy statement piece that brings the warmth of fall into your home.

This pattern is designed with the beginner-to-intermediate knitter in mind, offering a rewarding challenge with stunning results. The combination of a classic cable stitch, a sturdy garter stitch sole, and a soft ribbed cuff creates a slipper that is both durable and incredibly comfortable. Whether you're knitting for yourself or looking for a heartfelt handmade gift, these slippers are sure to become a cherished favorite.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials to ensure a smooth and enjoyable knitting experience:

• Yarn: Worsted weight yarn in three colors:
  • Spiced Pumpkin (Orange): Approximately 200g (main color for slipper body)
  • Cinnamon Brown (Brown): Approximately 50g (for soles)
  • Cream (Off-white): Approximately 50g (for cuffs)
• Knitting Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
• Cable Needle: For creating the cable stitches
• Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and assembly
• Stitch Markers (optional): To help keep track of pattern repeats

Gauge: 20 stitches and 26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch. It's always a good idea to knit a small swatch first to ensure your tension matches the pattern for the perfect fit.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Sizing Information

This pattern includes instructions for three sizes. Choose the one that best fits your foot:

• Small: Women's 5-6
• Medium: Women's 7-8
• Large: Women's 9-10

Instructions are written for Small, with Medium and Large in parentheses (e.g., "CO 40 (44, 48) sts").

Abbreviations

• CO: Cast on
• K: Knit
• P: Purl
• K2tog: Knit two stitches together (decrease)
• P2tog: Purl two stitches together (decrease)
• C4F: Cable 4 front (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in front, K2, then K2 from cable needle)
• C4B: Cable 4 back (slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold in back, K2, then K2 from cable needle)
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• RS: Right side
• WS: Wrong side
• M1: Make one (increase)

Slipper Body (Make 2)

Cast On & Ribbing:

With your Spiced Pumpkin yarn, CO 40 (44, 48) sts.

Row 1 (RS): *K2, P2; repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 (WS): *P2, K2; repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat Rows 1-2 for a total of 10 (12, 14) rows. This creates the ribbed cuff at the top of the slipper.

Cable Pattern:

Now you'll begin the beautiful cable pattern that runs down the center of the slipper.

Row 1 (RS): K4, P2, C4F, P2, K8, P2, C4B, P2, K4 – 40 (44, 48) sts.

Row 2 (WS): P4, K2, P4, K2, P8, K2, P4, K2, P4.

Row 3 (RS): K4, P2, K4, P2, K8, P2, K4, P2, K4.

Row 4 (WS): P4, K2, P4, K2, P8, K2, P4, K2, P4.

Row 5 (RS): K4, P2, C4B, P2, K8, P2, C4F, P2, K4.

Row 6 (WS): P4, K2, P4, K2, P8, K2, P4, K2, P4.

Row 7 (RS): K4, P2, K4, P2, K8, P2, K4, P2, K4.

Row 8 (WS): P4, K2, P4, K2, P8, K2, P4, K2, P4.

Repeat Rows 1-8 until the piece measures 6 (7, 8) inches from the cast-on edge, ending with a WS row. This forms the main body of the slipper.

Toe Shaping:

Now we'll shape the toe of the slipper with a series of decreases.

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, K14 (16, 18), K2tog, K2tog, K14 (16, 18), K2tog – 36 (40, 44) sts.

Row 2 (WS): Purl all sts.

Row 3 (RS): K2tog, K12 (14, 16), K2tog, K2tog, K12 (14, 16), K2tog – 32 (36, 40) sts.

Row 4 (WS): Purl all sts.

Row 5 (RS): K2tog, K10 (12, 14), K2tog, K2tog, K10 (12, 14), K2tog – 28 (32, 36) sts.

Row 6 (WS): Purl all sts.

Row 7 (RS): K2tog, K8 (10, 12), K2tog, K2tog, K8 (10, 12), K2tog – 24 (28, 32) sts.

Row 8 (WS): Purl all sts.

Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail (about 12 inches). Thread the tail through a tapestry needle and weave it through the remaining stitches on your knitting needle. Pull tight to gather the toe closed, and secure the yarn.

Sole (Make 2)

The sole is knitted in a simple garter stitch (knit every row) for durability and texture, using your Cinnamon Brown yarn.

CO 10 (12, 14) sts with Cinnamon Brown.

Row 1 (RS): Knit all sts.

Row 2 (WS): Knit all sts.

Row 3 (RS): K1, M1, K8 (10, 12), M1, K1 – 12 (14, 16) sts.

Row 4 (WS): Knit all sts.

Row 5 (RS): K1, M1, K10 (12, 14), M1, K1 – 14 (16, 18) sts.

Row 6 (WS): Knit all sts.

Continue in garter stitch (knit every row) until the sole measures 8 (9, 10) inches from the cast-on edge.

Toe Decrease:

Row 1 (RS): K2tog, K10 (12, 14), K2tog – 12 (14, 16) sts.

Row 2 (WS): Knit all sts.

Row 3 (RS): K2tog, K8 (10, 12), K2tog – 10 (12, 14) sts.

Row 4 (WS): Knit all sts.

Row 5 (RS): K2tog, K6 (8, 10), K2tog – 8 (10, 12) sts.

Bind off all stitches.

Cuff (Make 2)

The cream-colored cuff adds a beautiful contrast and a cozy, snug fit around your ankle.

CO 20 (22, 24) sts with Cream.

Row 1 (RS): *K1, P1; repeat from * to end.

Row 2 (WS): *P1, K1; repeat from * to end.

Repeat Rows 1-2 until the cuff measures 4 inches. Bind off in pattern (knit the knits and purl the purls as you bind off).

Assembly

Now it's time to bring all the pieces together to create your beautiful slippers.

1. Sew the Back Seam: With your tapestry needle and Spiced Pumpkin yarn, sew the back seam of the slipper body. Start from the cast-on edge and sew down to the beginning of the toe shaping. Use a mattress stitch for an invisible seam.
2. Attach the Sole: Turn the slipper body right side out. Position the sole against the bottom opening of the slipper body, matching the toe and heel points. Using a whip stitch with Cinnamon Brown yarn, carefully sew the sole to the slipper body, ensuring the stitches are secure and even.
3. Attach the Cuff: Fold the cream cuff in half lengthwise (right sides together) and sew the short ends together to form a ring. Turn the cuff right side out. Attach the cuff to the top opening of the slipper, placing the seam at the back. Use a mattress stitch with Cream yarn to sew the cuff to the slipper body.
4. Weave in All Ends: Use your tapestry needle to weave in all loose yarn ends securely on the inside of the slipper.

Finishing Touches

For a more durable sole that provides extra grip, you can apply a thin layer of fabric glue to the bottom of the sole and let it dry completely. Alternatively, you can use a felting needle to gently felt the sole slightly, which will make it more sturdy and water-resistant.

Once your slippers are complete, take a moment to admire your handiwork. The rich orange cables, the warm brown soles, and the soft cream cuffs come together to create a truly stunning pair of house shoes. Slip them on, grab a warm cup of cider, and enjoy the cozy comfort of your handmade Harvest Moon Cable Knit Slippers. Happy knitting!