Ida McKinley Slippers: 15 Cozy Crochet Christmas Gifts Inspired by the First Lady Who Made Thousands

Ida McKinley slippers might be the coziest bit of White House history you have never heard of. Ida McKinley was the wife of President William McKinley, and she had a busy pair of hands. As a young woman she studied needlepoint at Brooke Hall Female Seminary. Later she crocheted thousands of slippers for friends, acquaintances and charities. Her slippers were so loved that they would auction for large sums. That is a sweet idea to borrow this Christmas. A pair of handmade slippers is warm, personal and cheap to make from a few skeins of yarn. Below you will find fifteen easy ideas, from granny square slippers to tiny slipper ornaments for the tree. Grab a hook, pour some cocoa and see which pair you want to make first..

Ida McKinley Slippers Start With Granny Squares

Imagine a gift that someone wears every single winter morning for years. That is the magic behind Ida McKinley Slippers. Granny squares are the easiest way to begin, because each square is small, quick and forgiving. Two squares folded and stitched together make the top of one slipper. You can read more about her life and her famous crochet habit in this Ida McKinley biography. For more stitch ideas, browse these crochet Christmas gifts. Make one pair and you will want to make ten..

You will need: worsted weight yarn in red, cream and green, a 5 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, scissors, non slip fabric paint.

How to make it: 1. Crochet four granny squares about 4 inches wide. 2. Fold two squares into a slipper shape and stitch the toe and heel seams with the yarn needle. 3. Add a round of single crochet around the opening, then dot fabric paint on the soles for grip.

Chunky Crochet Slipper Boots

Slipper boots cover the ankles, so they are perfect for cold floors and drafty farmhouses. Chunky yarn works up fast, which means you can finish a pair in one weekend. A folded cuff and two wooden toggles give them a cozy cabin look. If you love thick, squishy yarn, see these chunky knit blankets too. Pick soft gray or oatmeal shades that go with every pair of pajamas.

You will need: super bulky yarn in cream or gray, a 9 mm crochet hook, 2 wooden toggles, a yarn needle, a sole template.

How to make it: 1. Crochet an oval sole, then work rounds straight up for the foot. 2. Keep going up 5 inches for the boot leg and fold the top down as a cuff. 3. Sew two wooden toggles on the side of the cuff.

Ida McKinley Slippers Slipper Socks With Pom Poms

Slipper socks are soft enough to sleep in and cute enough to wear on Christmas morning. Red and white stripes look like candy canes, and fluffy pom poms make them playful. These are a sweet nod to Ida McKinley Slippers for anyone who likes lighter footwear. Tuck a pair into a stocking with ideas from these DIY stocking stuffers. Use a pom pom maker for perfectly round puffs.

You will need: soft acrylic yarn in red and white, a 5 mm crochet hook, a pom pom maker, a yarn needle.

How to make it: 1. Crochet a sock shape from the toe up, changing colors every 2 rounds. 2. Finish with a ribbed cuff of front and back post stitches. 3. Make two white pom poms and tie one to each ankle.

Nordic Snowflake Colorwork Slippers

Snowflake colorwork looks like it took weeks, but it is just two colors and a simple chart. Carry the second color inside your stitches so the inside stays neat. Red, white and green give these slippers a classic ski lodge feel. Plenty of famous people love yarn crafts too, as you can see in these stars who knit. Start with a small snowflake chart of just 9 stitches.

You will need: worsted yarn in red, white and green, a 4.5 mm crochet hook, a simple snowflake chart on graph paper, a yarn needle.

How to make it: 1. Crochet the slipper top in rows of single crochet. 2. Follow the chart, switching colors as you go. 3. Join the top to a plain sole and add a contrast edge around the opening.

Ida McKinley Slippers on Suede Soles for Grip

Crochet slippers can be slippery on wood floors, so a real sole makes a big difference. Ready made suede soles have a row of tiny punched openings around the edge, so you crochet straight into them. The result looks like a pair from a fancy boutique. New to crochet? Start with these easy crochet projects. Buy soles one size bigger than the shoe size for comfort.

You will need: a pair of punched suede slipper soles, worsted yarn in brown, a 4 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle.

How to make it: 1. Work a round of single crochet into the punched edge of each sole. 2. Crochet the slipper top in rounds up from that first round. 3. Weave in the ends and fold a small cuff at the heel.

Ballet Flat Crochet Slippers

Not everyone likes thick slippers, and these dainty flats are made for them. Soft blush yarn and a tiny satin bow on each toe feel sweet and a little vintage. They pack flat, so they are a lovely travel gift. For more gentle gift ideas, see these DIY gifts for Grandma. Add a thin elastic band at the heel so they stay on.

You will need: light worsted yarn in blush pink, a 4 mm crochet hook, satin ribbon, thin elastic, a needle and thread.

How to make it: 1. Crochet an oval sole and a shallow side wall of 4 rounds. 2. Thread thin elastic through the last round to snug the opening. 3. Tie two small satin bows and stitch one to each toe.

Ida McKinley Slippers Gift Set With a Mug Cozy

A matching set always feels more special than a single gift. Make cream slippers, then use the leftover yarn for a mug cozy in the same stitch. Add a packet of cocoa and you have an easy Ida McKinley Slippers style gift box. Pick a plain mug or try these painted Christmas mugs for an extra handmade touch. Line the box with tissue paper.

You will need: cream worsted yarn, a 5 mm crochet hook, a plain mug, a gift box, tissue paper, red ribbon, cocoa mix.

How to make it: 1. Crochet a pair of slippers in cream. 2. Crochet a strip 3 inches tall to fit around the mug and close it with a loop and a wooden bead. 3. Pack the slippers, mug and cocoa in a box with tissue and ribbon.

Bunny Ear Slippers for Kids

Kids go wild for slippers with a little personality. Tall bunny ears with pink centers turn a simple pair into a favorite toy they can wear. Small sizes also take very little yarn, so these are fast to make. Find more ideas little ones will love in these kids DIY Christmas gifts. Stitch the ears on firmly so they hold up to play.

You will need: soft white and pink yarn, a 4 mm crochet hook, black embroidery thread, a yarn needle, non slip fabric paint.

How to make it: 1. Crochet a small pair of slippers in white. 2. Make four long white ear pieces and four smaller pink centers, then stitch them together. 3. Sew the ears to the toes and stitch tiny eyes with black thread.

Ida McKinley Slippers Cable Stitch Pair for Men

Men often get socks for Christmas, so a handmade pair of house slippers stands out. A raised cable down the front looks classic and strong in charcoal gray. Cables are just post stitches crossed over each other, so they are easier than they look. Pair them with other ideas from these Christmas gifts for men. Make the sole a little longer for big feet.

You will need: worsted yarn in charcoal gray, a 5 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, stitch markers, suede soles if you like.

How to make it: 1. Crochet a large oval sole and side wall. 2. Work the top with front post stitches, crossing them every 4 rows to form a cable. 3. Finish with a firm edge of single crochet around the opening.

Crochet Hot Water Bottle Cover

Warm toes and a warm lap go together on a cold night. A crochet cover makes a plain hot water bottle feel like a little gift. Cream hearts on deep red look cheerful for the holidays. Tuck it into a cozy bundle like these brrr basket ideas. Always fill the bottle with warm, not boiling, water, with adult help.

You will need: worsted yarn in red and cream, a 5 mm crochet hook, a small hot water bottle, a yarn needle.

How to make it: 1. Crochet two red panels the size of the bottle, adding cream hearts with a simple chart. 2. Join the sides and bottom with single crochet. 3. Crochet a ribbed neck and close it with a tie.

Matching Family Ida McKinley Slippers for Christmas Morning

Matching pajamas are fun, and matching slippers are even sweeter. Make one striped pair for every person, from Dad down to the baby. Lined up by the tree, they make a picture you will want every year, just like Ida McKinley Slippers were saved and treasured. Get the kids involved with these Christmas crafts with grandkids. Start early, about one pair a week.

You will need: worsted yarn in red and white, 4 mm and 5 mm crochet hooks, a yarn needle, size charts for each family member.

How to make it: 1. Measure each foot and write down the sole lengths. 2. Crochet each pair in red and white stripes, changing colors every 2 rounds. 3. Line them up by the tree on Christmas Eve.

Ida McKinley Slippers Wrapped in a Vintage Tin

Old cookie tins from the thrift store make charming gift boxes. Fold a pair of cream slippers inside with tissue and a sprig of evergreen. The tin becomes part of the gift and can hold yarn later. See more ways to dress up tins in these Christmas cookie tin crafts. Wipe old tins clean and line them with paper first.

You will need: a round thrifted tin, tissue paper, a pair of crochet slippers, a sprig of evergreen, ribbon.

How to make it: 1. Clean the tin and line it with tissue paper. 2. Fold the slippers sole to sole and nestle them inside. 3. Add an evergreen sprig, close the lid and tie a ribbon around it.

Mini Slipper Christmas Ornaments

Tiny slippers on the tree are a playful nod to a first lady who made thousands of the real thing. Each one takes only a few yards of yarn and about 20 minutes. Make a set in red, green and white for a cheerful mix. Add them to your collection of handmade Christmas ornaments. Use a smaller hook so the stitches look neat.

You will need: fingering weight yarn in red, green and white, a 2.5 mm crochet hook, thin red ribbon, a yarn needle.

How to make it: 1. Crochet a tiny oval sole of 10 stitches. 2. Work 3 rounds up the sides and decrease over the toe. 3. Thread a red ribbon loop through the heel for hanging.

Charity Slipper Bundle

Ida McKinley gave many of her slippers to charities, and that is a beautiful tradition to carry on. Make several simple pairs over the fall, then tie them together with a wide ribbon. Shelters and care homes are often glad for warm slippers in winter. Pack them in a basket like these DIY gift baskets. Call ahead to ask which sizes are needed most.

You will need: several pairs of crochet slippers in mixed sizes, a wicker basket, a wide red satin ribbon, blank tags.

How to make it: 1. Make slippers in a range of sizes and wash them gently. 2. Stack them in pairs and tie the bundle with ribbon. 3. Set the bundle in a basket and drop it off at a local shelter.

Scrap Yarn Rainbow Slippers

Every yarn lover has a bag of leftover bits. Stripe them together and you get bright, happy slippers that cost almost nothing. No two pairs ever look the same, which makes them fun to give, just like the one of a kind Ida McKinley Slippers of long ago. For more ways to use up leftovers, see these fabric scrap Christmas crafts. Keep all scraps the same weight so the slippers stay even.

You will need: leftover worsted yarn in many colors, a 5 mm crochet hook, a yarn needle, scissors.

How to make it: 1. Sort your scraps into a pleasing color order. 2. Crochet the slippers, changing color every round or two and tying in new strands. 3. Weave in all ends on the inside before you gift them.