Ok slipper update... I got a bunch of comments on Ravelry, including from the designer herself. Basically akin to don't give up and white yarn felts poorly. So I threw them into the washer for one last chance (I could barely find enough laundry to keep doing!!).

There's still a "fin" on the back of the left slipper, but I'll let them dry and sew on the straps and see how I feel about them.