Secret Club Slippers

Once upon a time, my husband diabolically disconnected my cell phone from our car’s Bluetooth to connect his own instead, which I failed to notice until I was already driving to the dye studio this morning. Apparently, yelling “Hey Google” louder wasn’t going to do anything other than infuriate me. I am embarrassed to say that it took me a while to realize what was happening. Nevertheless, you probably don’t hear this often, but I am so happy I was forced to listen to FM talk radio! I switched it on just in time to catch the CEO of Philabundance, Loree Jones, talking on the Preston and Steve Show, and she completely changed my day.

Originally, I had intended to tell you about the silly circumstances during the early days of the pandemic that brought about the Secret Club Slippers, but now I have other plans.

Now through December 31st of 2020, we will be donating the profits from the sale of the Secret Club Slippers pattern to Philabundance, a non-profit hunger relief organization that serves nine counties in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. In 2019, they distributed more than 26 million pounds of food. Conversely, they distributed that same amount within the first six months of 2020. They are in dire need of donations, and I am doing my part the best way I know how — with knitting and yarn!

When Loree Jones started sharing some of the statistics of how many people needed their help last year versus this year, my hands went cold and my stomach twisted. I’ve come close to hungry before. I remember sharing a can of peas with Megan-Anne in our early twenties when we first moved to Philly and thinking we were lucky to have it. When more people than ever are facing empty plates this holiday season, I have to do my part.

I designed these socks so that even when I can’t see my niece during the pandemic we can wear them and feel closer together. It’s our knitted version of looking to the stars. So, it feels right that the proceeds of this pattern will help those in need and make the world a better place.

We are starting a secret club! Instead of making laminated cards to prove we’re in the club, which is total amateur hour and definitely something I did as a kid, we wear hand-knit Secret Club Slippers. This pattern is your cordial invitation to join our exclusive club and form your own chapter with your loved ones both near and far away.

Click here to purchase the Secret Club Slipper pattern now!

A PDF will be emailed to you by Ravelry. You don’t need to be a Ravelry member to purchase the pattern, but if you are, the PDF will show up in your library. To view the Secret Club Slipper pattern page on Ravelry, click THIS LINK.

“My legs are as long as yours, Mom! Jac-Jac, see. Take a picture. Tell her they are the same.”

Mabel the Merciless, who is actually growing too fast. She’s three and half feet tall! We’re only 5′ 2″.

Yeah, kid. Definitely the same.

About the Pattern

The Secret Club Slippers are worked in the round from the cuff down with stranded knitting and striping, using either long circular needles to work in Magic Loop or DPNs. This sock pattern is recommended for knitters who have experience knitting in the round and reading charts.

Sizing: Size 1(2, 3, 4, 5) has a 6(7, 8, 9, 10) inch foot circumference.

Recommended Yarn: Three skeins of Lattes & Llamas Fandom Yarn (100 grams/ 218 yards) or a comparable worsted weight yarn in three contrasting colorways.

Color A: 25(30, 35, 40, 45) grams/ 55(65, 76, 87, 98) yards
Color B: 26(30, 34, 38, 42) grams/ 57(65, 74, 83, 92) yards
Color C: 24(28, 32, 36, 40) grams/ 52(61, 70, 79, 87) yards

Needles: US5 / 3.75 mm and US6 / 4mm circular needles to work in Magic Loop or size needed to obtain gauge.

I prefer the Magic Loop method when knitting socks. If you are more comfortable using DPNs or two circulars, this pattern is easily converted.

Gauge: 20 sts and 28 rnds = 4” in stockinette stitch, knit in the round on larger sized needles

Notions: 2 Stitch Markers; Tapestry Needle; Stitch Holder or Waste Yarn

If you feel compelled to continue the fight against hunger, I strongly suggest looking into donating food or funds to Philabundance or your local food bank. If you are located within the United States, Feeding America has great resources to help you find a non-profit food bank near you.

~ Jac

Megan-Anne and I carefully intergraded our pods after quarantining, and now refer to our group as “The Core Six.” It makes the everything feel more clandestine and fun. ⁠