Need Help with Phentex Slipper Pattern

[ingrid99]

Hi There,
I've attached files of the pattern and a photo of the Phentex Slippers I am trying to make.
I have finished rows 1-8 and then repeated rows 5-8 two more times. This appears to be the cuff around the ankle? This is where I'm stuck. I'm now told to continue in pattern and bind off every 4th row
(1 x 8 sts and 1 x 4 sts). It's the part in the brackets that doesn't seem to make sense to me. Do I bind off 8 sts from one end and then on the next 4th row bind off 4 sts on the first end?? Or do I bind off 1 stitch 8 times on either end. No matter how I read this pattern it just doesn't seem to make sense to me. Any help would be appreciated. I love the look of these slippers but am very frustrated in trying to figure out how the pattern works. I can't picture in my head how this pattern will work and turn out as a slipper!
Thanks,
Deb

[suzeeq]

I'm now told to continue in pattern and bind off every 4th row - (1 x 8 sts and 1 x 4 sts).

That's BO 8 sts once then 4 sts once, every 4th row.

[ingrid99]

Thanks Sue. I would read the pattern like that also and tried it that way but can't seem to wrap my head around how this is going to make a slipper. It doesn't seem that it will be big enough and the shape looks very odd. I suppose I should just try the pattern as is and see what happens? I tend to read through the whole patten to make sense of it before continuing.

[suzeeq]

Sure try it as written and see how it works out. The worst that can happen is you have to rip out a few rows. Sometimes what seems to be strange works out when you get there and follow the sts to do what it says.

[ingrid99]

Turns out that the pattern is correct but it only makes half a slipper! They forget to tell you to make the second half. I finished one slipper but don't think I will even make the second since there is a seam right down the middle of the sole of your foot which is quite uncomfortable. Oh well. I'll look for a new pattern. Thanks Sue for getting me to forge ahead - at least I know that it can be done now

[suzeeq]

Ahh yes, you can kinda see the seam on the bottom in that picture. That's a pain - there's lots of slipper patterns where they're knit in one piece.