Cotton yarn and a rubber sole make this free crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern perfect for wearing around the house (or even outside!)
View the entire free pattern and video tutorial below or purchase the printable, ad-free pdf with hole poking guide here.
This free crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern is a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.
UPDATE: This pattern has been super popular since I published the original version last May. Many of you have requested a video tutorial for these crochet slippers with flip flop soles, so today I’m really happy to have a totally revised and updated version of the pattern that includes a step-by-step video tutorial.
In this version, I’ve updated the toe top section of the pattern, re-written some details for clarity AND added a printable ruler to the ad-free PDF of the pattern to guide your hole poking.
(If you just want the original crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern though, don’t fret, you can still find it for free here!)
Many readers have asked how these crochet slippers with flip flop soles hold up over time. I’ve answered that question (with photos!) and many more in my FAQs about crocheting on flip flops.
Without further ado, here’s the original blog post with the updated free crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern and new video tutorial below. And if you’re interested, you can find all the free flip flop crochet patterns I’ve shared since making this first pair, right here.
Guys, I’m so excited to share this pattern. I hope you love making crocheted slippers with a legit, flip flop sole as much as I did. When I originally stumbled across these crocheted boots made by Croche Da Alessandra, the idea for some flip-flop-based summer slippers wedged in my brain and refused to shake loose until I just made the things.
Until about a week ago, I’ve been wearing some felted knit slippers my mom made me. They’re AMAZING. But now that it’s officially spring, they’re becoming a little less practical with each tick of the thermometer.
So if, like me, you prefer to keep your feet covered when you’re shuffling around the house, but you find warm weather to be less than slipper-compatible, these are for you! (And if you’re the free-wheeling type that prefers not to have your toes covered at all during the summer months, check out all my other free crochet patterns instead.)
These crocheted slippers with flip flop soles let in a lovely breeze with each step, thanks to the slightly open weave and breathable Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn. The flip flop (or “thong” if you live in certain parts of the world) sole makes these a little more substantial than regular crocheted slippers and perfectly grippy to scoot around your house.
These even work well as crocheted shoes to wear outside. They might just be the most comfortable pair of shoes you’ve ever worn. (And don’t they look a bit like Toms?)
The ad-free PDF now includes a printable ruler to help guide your hole poking. This little bonus is super helpful in achieving the gauge and ensuring that you don’t have too many or too few stitches around your flip flop sole. (Regardless of the size you’re making–isn’t that magic?!)
You can purchase the PDF of this pattern with the ruler here on LoveCrafts.com or here on Etsy.
Related: 30+ Free Crochet Top Patterns for Warm Weather
Find Your Next Crochet Pattern on Flip Flop Soles
Crocheting on flip flops can fast track your feet straight to comfort-ville. Flip flops offer functional, non-slip soles for your crochet slippers. They also allow you to crochet shoes customized for your particular feet.
See more free crochet flip flops patterns →
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own. You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, please link back to this post. Do NOT use my photos as your own sales photos. You can read my policies here. Now let’s make something awesome!
Summer Crochet Slippers with Flip Flop Soles – Free Pattern
Purchase the printable, ad-free PDF with hole poking ruler here on LoveCrafts.com or here on Etsy.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin this pattern for later here.
Sizes:
This pattern works well for women’s sizes 6-10, but you can easily add or eliminate a row to the top section to make it longer or shorter for other sizes.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch – chain
cluster – 4 dc in one stitch
half cluster – 2 dc in one st
dc – double crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
Supplies:
So you can spend more time making shoes and less time shopping, this pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton – 1 skein (186 yards) Color: Mint
• Tapestry needle
• Size B [2.25 mm] crochet hook or size needed to fit through flip flop holes
• Size G [4.0 mm] crochet hook
• 1-2 printed copies of the “ruler” at end of the printable pattern or a measuring tape
• 1 pair of flip flops (One size smaller than you wear normally. See pattern notes.)
• Sharp tool to poke holes (I use this clay tool. You can also try a skewer, thin drill bit or awl.)
• Sharp scissors
• Stitch markers
• Strong glue such as E6000 to glue strap plugs to sole (optional)
Gauge:
7.5 sc = 2”
12 rows = 2”
Notes:
• Transforming flip flops into slippers isn’t an exact science! Keep an open mind and don’t be afraid to customize the shoes to your liking. Check out this Flip Flop FAQs post for answers to commonly asked questions.
• You’ll likely want to size down when buying your flip flops. Look for a flop flop that offers about .25″ of sole around your foot (more like the fit of a normal shoe). In the pattern sizing, the shoe sizes mentioned describe the shoe size you normally wear and not the sized-down size of your flip flops.
• The flip flops in the sample are from Old Navy–they have a great selection of colors. Find $1 flip flops on Amazon or at Walmart. Dollar Tree’s $1 flip flops tend to be a bit too flimsy, but can work if you are careful. And LionBrand.com now offers flip flops so you can get your yarn and soles in one place!
• Left and right shoes are identical.
• Similar to some ballet flats, your slippers should curl in a bit. That’s what gets them to shape to your feet without a lot of increasing or decreasing. They will stretch out slightly with wear.
• The slipper sides and heel are worked in a spiral, so you will not ch 1 at the beginning of each round.
• Pattern explains locations on the flip flop as if it’s a clock where the top of the toe is 12:00 and the heel is 6:00.
Related: 30+ Free Crochet Dress Patterns: Beginner to Advanced
Slipper Sides and Heel
Notes:
• The shoes are crocheted tightly, similar to amigurumi. Make a deliberate effort to keep your stitches tighter than normal. Check your gauge if you’re unsure.
• Be sure to poke the same number of holes in the second flip flop as in the first.
To begin:
Trim straps off flip flops by cutting the mid-foot straps at an extreme angle so you can keep them in place without feeling them inside the shoe. (See photo above with the hole poking ruler.) Save the rubber plug from the strap between your toes to glue in later.
If you’re using the printable ruler, trim and tape the pieces together and tape ruler around flip flop sole. With your sharp instrument, poke holes in each dot on the ruler. (See photo above the pattern.) Alternatively, use a measuring tape to poke holes slightly more than .25″ apart around the sole. Pierce the hole at an angle from about the middle of the way down the sole to approximately .25” into the top of the sole. Reference the video tutorial for help.
Tie slip knot around smaller hook. Insert hook at back of heel (6:00 position) from the top of the flip flop toward the bottom of the sole, grabbing the yarn and pulling through to the top of the flip flop and through the slip knot to attach the yarn to the flip flop. Crochet over the tail of this yarn as you work Round 1.
Round 1: Continuing with smaller hook, sc in each hole around sole, join with a sl st to first sc. Do not turn. Place marker in first st of round and move it up as you work each round (or just keep track of which sole hole you began in).
Rounds 2-9: With larger hook, sc in each sc around sole. Do not turn.
Remove marker. Place stitch markers at 4:00 and 7:00 positions. This is where the back heel “lip” of your slipper will taper to.
Do not turn work, continue with the rest of row 9.
Row 9 cont: Sc in each sc until 1 st remains before next marked st, sl st in next sc, turn. (See photo below.)
To make heel taper appear smoother, keep working yarn toward the inside of shoe when starting Rows 10-13. (See 8:25 mark of video tutorial for example.)
Row 10: Ch 1, sk first sl st, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc until 1 st remains before next marked st, sl st in next sc, turn.
Rows 11-12: Ch 1, sk first sl st, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc until 3 stitches remain before next marked st, sl st in next sc, turn.
Row 13: Ch 1, sk first sl st, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc to back of the heel, sl st in next sc. Fasten off.
Do not weave in end. You’ll work over this tail later.
Slipper Top
Notes:
• Cluster = 4 dc in one st
• Half Cluster = 2 dc in one st
• In rows 2-5, the clusters are worked between the two middle dc of the cluster in the previous row.
• Reference video tutorial or chart above for visual explanation.
Find the approximate midpoint of the front of the slipper. Place stitch markers at the 1:00 and 11:00 positions with 11 sc between them. (See “clock” photo at top of pattern.)
Join yarn in 11:00 marked st. (Left handed crocheters, join in 1:00 marked st and reverse mentions of “right” and “left.”) Weave in the tail from attaching yarn now before this section is worked.
Row 1: With the toe facing toward you, (sk 3 sc, cluster in next sc) 2 times, skip 3 sc, sl st in next marked st, sl st in next 3 sc of Rnd 9 (up left edge of slipper), turn. (2 clusters) (See photo below.)
Row 2: Cluster in center of each of next 2 clusters, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, sl st in next 3 sc (up right edge of slipper), turn. (2 clusters)
Row 3: Half cluster in sl st where Row 2 joined Rnd 9, cluster in center of each of next 2 clusters, half cluster in last sl st of Row 1, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, sl st in next 3 sc (up left edge of slipper), turn. (2 clusters and 2 half clusters)
Row 4: Cluster in sl st where Row 3 joined Rnd 9, cluster in center of each of next 2 clusters, cluster in last sl st of Row 2, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, sl st in next 3 sc (up right edge of slipper), turn. (4 clusters)
Row 5: Cluster in center of each of next 4 clusters, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, do not turn. (4 clusters)
Round 6: Sc in each st around entire shoe, do not turn. (See photo J.) (Crochet over yarn tail at heel as you work.)
Round 7: Sc in each sc around heel stopping once you reach the slipper top section, sl st 1 into edge of top.
Fasten off and weave in end. Repeat pattern with second flip flop sole. Tap your toes together, smile and run around your house because you just made your own crochet slippers with flip flop soles!
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss crocheting flip flop slipper patterns and lots of other crochet projects and techniques in our Make & Do Crew Facebook group. Here thousands of helpful crocheters answer each others questions and share their stitches. Come join us here.
More Free Crochet Patterns Using Flip Flop Soles
- FAQS: How to Crochet on Flip Flops – and will they fall apart?
- Crochet Boots With Flip Flops Soles
- Free Crochet Ugg Boot Pattern
- Chukka Crochet Slipper Boots with Flip Flop Soles
- Crochet Moccasins Shoes
- Crochet Beach Shoes Pattern
- Crochet Festival Boots Pattern
- Crochet Boat Shoes Slippers (for kids)
Now that your toes are comfy, you might enjoy these free crochet patterns:
Cocoon Cardigan — free crochet pattern made with two simple rectangles!
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Fiesty says
It is truly a brilliant piece of an idea… a must to try for everyone.. thanks for sharing tutorial.. will definitely try.
Theresa says
Hi Jess,
I’m obsessed with these slippers!! I am however disappointed with the finished project, The first one was way to loose, so for the other slipper I changed the hook size as recommended in the FAQ section, this one too seems to loose. So I rip the first one to rework it with yet a smaller hook, again better but still doesn’t seem right. I did have to use a substitute yarn but it is 100% cotton I’m not sure if this could be my problem? I am an average crocheter but can follow a pattern. I hope you can give me some pointers on how to fix these so they can be worn.
Thanks,
Theresa
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Theresa,
I think the substitute yarn may be what’s making them looser. Is it a worsted weight cotton? The 24/7 Cotton in the pattern is listed as worsted, but I really think it’s more like a DK weight. My suggestion would be to poke the holes a bit further apart so that you have fewer stitches going around overall. If you happened to purchase the pattern PDF, I include a printable ruler in it for both the 24/7 Cotton as well as one that will work well with most other (slightly heavier) worsted weight cottons.
Hope that’s helpful!
Jess
Theresa says
Hi Jess,
Thank you for your reply, I will have to order some 24/7 yarn. In the area where I live the major stores do not carry this yarn. I thought the cotton would be good enough, I did purchase the PDF but both of the rulers are marked differently but look exactly the same distance apart, Would it work if I just punched every other hole? Maybe I can try it and see what happens. I was just hoping to be wearing them already, darn my boney feet.
Thanks again,
Theresa
apurva says
These are really cool! Thank you so much Jess for sharing this
Gretchen McClain says
Hi Jess! I am making my first pair of slippers but can’t get the video to continue. Do you have any suggestions? I’m so glad I purchased two of your patterns!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Gretchen,
Well, that’s no good! Are you still having trouble now? The beginning is working for me. It might be helpful to just try it in a different internet browser. If that doesn’t work, please let me know! I want you to be able to watch the videos–that’s why I make them! 🙂
Jess
Katlin Donnelly says
Hi! These are adorable and I want to make a pair! Do I have to buy the PDF pattern to get the hole punching ruler?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Katlin,
Yes, I include the ruler as a bonus for those who purchase the PDF, but you can make the slippers without it by using a measuring tape. The printable ruler just takes the guesswork out of it!
Jess
kiml says
lets be honest 1. too many rows. 2. you HAVE to watch the video to understand the clusters
Shanna says
Hi Jess,
I’ve purchased and downloaded the PDF pattern for these flip flop slippers. I think they are perfect for the cottage!
I decided to make the first pair as a gift for my small footed friend (size 5). I decided to do only 8 rows because of the size, however, I’ve clearly made a mistake somewhere because it currently looks like a block; the sides go directly up. I’m using the right hook size and an acrylic worsted weight yarn. I don’t tend to have an issue with tension.
I think this may be for two reasons, 1) I’ve too many holes, too close together and 2) I’m not stitching tight enough. I’m not sure if the hole template printed out to the proper size . After watching your tutorial video, I see the holes should be just over 1/4″ apart. Is that right? From your experience, have you been able to estimate how many holes/stitches around in the average slipper (say size 7)?
Do you have any other tips to resolve my problem?
Thanks,
Shanna
P.S. I was trying to find the answer in the comment section of your blog but there are so many comments there. Is there a way for you to clear some of the comments?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Shanna,
It sounds like you’re on the right track with your troubleshooting. I’m guessing that one issue might be that the yarn you substituted could be a bit thicker than the 24/7 Cotton I used. 24/7 Cotton tends to be more like a light worsted or DK weight. So to use your yarn, I’d suggest poking your holes a bit further apart, like maybe 1/3 of an inch. Like you were thinking, this will result in fewer overall stitches and then you’ll have a slipper that curves in a bit just like mine does in the video.
Hope that’s helpful!
Jess
Annabell says
hi make & do crew… I love what you do
I’ve made quite a number of flip flop moccasins through your tutorials and they are so durable and also fit so well. love you
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I’m so happy to hear that, Annabell! When I made my first pair, I really was curious how they’d hold up. I’ve had the same experience as you–they’re incredibly durable! It’s really nice how long they last after you put your time and creativity into making them. 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Jess
MackK says
Love the pattern and idea. Unfortunately, if you have narrow feet, the resulting slipper winds up being too wide. 🙁
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey!
My sister has extremely narrow feet, so I’ve actually been thinking about this. If you poked your holes just a little wider apart, or did some decreases (sc2tog) near the toe in the first couple rounds, you’d end up with fewer stitches overall and I wonder if that would help “synch” them on your feet better. Does that suggestion seem like something that might work for your feet? I’m interested to know because I’m sure other narrow-footed readers have a similar question. 🙂
Jess