KNITTED ESPADRILLES You will need: An old pair of flip flops Worsted-weight yarn (I used good ol¶ reliable Red Heart) Knitting needles size 8, and 1 dpn of approximately the same siz e (for the bind-off) Big upholstery needle 2-ply jute twine Crochet hook size G or H Strong waterproof glue Straight pins 2 yards (or more) 1/4 ribbon SIZING AND FIT Because you knit to the length of the sole, and the s hoe is meant to be tied on, these will fit any size foot. If you have a narrow foot and want the shoes to fit tightly, you will want to cut the flip flops down to size ± I have an average size foot, and these are pretty wide at the heel. Also, this is a very shallow shoe, and will not stay on the foot without the ankle ties ± depending on y our tolerance for things shifting around on your foot, you may want to try adjusting the width of the side panels. PREPARATION Cut the uppers off the flip flops. Wind off a generous small ball of yarn ± you¶ll need that later, when the top is divided. KNITTING THE UPPER CO 8 stitches. Purl 1 row. Row 2: K1, M1, k ac ross to last st, M1, k1 (2 sts increased) Row 3: P Repeat rows 2 & 3 u ntil you have 24 sts. Work 4 rows even in stockinette st. Divide upper (RS): K8, join second ball of yarn, BO 8 sts, K8. From now on, you¶ll be working the 2 sides at the same time, from separate balls of yarn. On the next 2 rows (one WS, one RS), decrease 1 st on the inner edge of each s ide ± 6 sts each side. Continue straight in st st until you¶re approximately 2 from the center back of the heel (measured on the sole). Increase 1 st on the outer edge of each side, RS rows only, twice ± 8 sts each side. Continue in st st until the side pieces meet at the center back of the heel, lightly stretched. Holding the sides parallel, WS together, join with a 3-needle BO. EDGING Attach the yarn at the center back seam. Working in reverse sc (left to right), work a round of sc around the opening of the upper, skipping the ³corner´ sts w here the upper divided for the sides. Join with a sl st at the end of the round, ch 6, sl st in same st, fas- ten off. (You just made the loop that holds the ribbon ties.) ASSEMBLY Thread the upholstery needle with a leng th of yarn. Anchor the center of the upper toe to the center of the sole toe, kno t, and cut yarn. Reattach yarn at the back seam of the upper, and begin sewing the upper to the sole at the center heel, easing the upper to fit. It¶s sur prisingly easy to stitch through foam. I foun d it was best to stitch at an angle, from the upper downward ± you don¶t real- ly want to be walking on your stitches, as you¶ll wear the yarn right off in n o time, so try not to sew straight down through to the bottom of the sole. TRIM AND FINISHING Using the jute, ch until you have eno ugh sts to wrap all the way around the sole with- out overlapping, plus 2. Hdc in the 3rd ch f rom hook, and in each ch to the end. Fas- ten off. Starting from the center of the heel, spread glue in about a 2 section at a time, cover- ing the stitches that attach the upper to the sole, and apply the j ute trim ± base chain side up ± securing with straight pins as you work. Allow to dry, checking on it about halfway through, and pressing firmly to make sure the trim i s attached as flat and smoothly as possible. When thoroughly dry, carefully remove the pins. Cut the ribbon i nto two 3-foot pieces, angling the ends. Pull through the heel loops, secure with an overhand knot.