You'll be a DIY goddess of cozy with these crochet boots with flip flops for soles! They make excellent slippers or UGG-like sweater boots to wear around town. As always, you'll find the free crochet pattern and video tutorial below or you can purchase a convenient ad-free, printable PDF.
This crochet sweater boot pattern is a collaboration with my friends at Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.
I went to college at the University of Colorado in Boulder. It's pretty much everything you might imagine. Incredible views. Hippie kids. Yuppie kids. And kids (a lot of them) who literally wore flip flops all year round. Yes, in the snow. Yes, when it was three degrees. Blame it on the snowboard culture, or the need to rebel, or sheer stupidity.
Well, today I offer a little more practical alternative to the students of CU Boulder and everyone else who loves to wear flip flops. Crochet boots with flip flops as soles! I knew the cozy factor would be high on these when I started designing them, but honestly, wearing them is like a yarn dream come true. They combine the freedom of flip flops with the snuggle of chunky yarn. Winning!
If you've been following along here for a while, first of all, thank you, and secondly, you know I have been having so much fun designing crochet patterns that use flip flops. If you love the idea of crocheting your own shoes as much as I do, you're definitely going to want to check out these other free crochet flip flop patterns:
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 →
I'm thrilled to be adding these crochet boots with flip flops to the mix because not only do they look like crochet UGG boots you'd buy in a store, they also will work as legit shoes for the winter. (And if you like the look of UGGs, be sure to check out my free Breckenridge Boot flip flop patten as well.) Some creative readers came up with the idea to glue the round "plug" from the flip flop straps back into the sole, which ensures that your flip flop sole will function pretty much like any other knit boot sole would.
Whether you wear them outside as boots or inside as slippers, you're going to have some incredibly warm, stylish and happy toes.
UPDATE: Many readers have asked how these crochet boots 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.
NEW! So if you've made any of my past flip flop crochet patterns, you know that the distance between the holes you poke in the sole has a big impact on how the gauge of your shoe turns out. That is why I'm really excited to share that the inexpensive, printable PDF of this pattern now contains a "ruler" to guide your hole poking. The ruler helps ensure you have the perfect number of holes to achieve the gauge regardless of what size flip flop you use.
Please find the video tutorial and free written pattern below. Even if you prefer to learn by video, you'll want to have the written pattern handy because the right and left ankle sections vary slightly. If you prefer crocheting on the go (or on the couch!), you can purchase the ad-free, printable PDF of the pattern. It's great for mobile and tablet viewing too.
"Cabin Boots" - Free Crochet Pattern using Flip Flops
Sizes: Adult women’s 7 and up
Supplies:
So you can spend more time making boots and less time shopping, this pattern contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
• Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick – 2 skeins (220 yards total) – color: Grey Marble (MC)
• Approx. 10 yards of Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn or other worsted weight yarn in color to match flip flops (SC)
• Tapestry needle
• Size B [2.25 mm] crochet hook or size needed to fit through flip flop holes
• Size K [6.5 mm] crochet hook (I really like this affordable set!)
• Size L [8 mm] crochet hook
• 1 pair of flip flops (One size smaller than you wear normally. See pattern notes.)
• Sharp tool to poke holes in flip flops (skewer, thin drill bit or tapestry needle)
• ¾ inch (19mm) buttons (6)
• Sewing needle and thread
• Stitch markers
• Sharp scissors
• Strong glue like E6000 (optional)
• Measuring tape or "ruler" from printable pattern
Gauge:
• 6 holes per 2 inches on flip flop sole
• Boot Base: 6 sc = 2 inches, 6 rows = 2 inches
Gauge will vary a bit based on distance between poked holes on flip flop sole. Use the "ruler" in printable pattern if you want to ensure gauge.
Abbreviations and Glossary:
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stich
hdc – half double crochet
scblo – single crochet back loop only
MC – main color
SC – sole color
dc – double crochet
ch – chain
RS – right side
WS – wrong side
Sc2tog (single crochet 2 together)– [Insert hook into next st and pull up a loop] two times, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops on hook.
Overall Pattern Notes:
- Transforming flip flops into slippers isn’t an exact science! Unlike other crochet patterns, these slippers have some variables, most significant of which is the size of flip flops used and the number of holes poked. Use the "ruler" that's available in the printable pattern if you're struggling with hole spacing.
- The flip flops pictured are a women’s size 7-8 and they have 64 holes poked on each sole. To make shoes with bigger or smaller flip flops, just adjust the number of holes, poking them slightly further apart than every ⅓ inch.
- Find inexpensive 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.
- Pattern explains locations on the flip flop as if it’s a clock where the top of the toe is midnight and the heel is 6:00.
Boot Base (Right and Left Foot)
Notes;
• The base of the boot pattern is crocheted tightly, similar to amigurumi. Make a deliberate effort to keep your stitches tighter than you might usually. Check your gauge if you’re unsure.
• If at any point your boots are feeling too roomy, watch part 3 of the video tutorial for suggestions on how to make them better fit your foot.
To begin:
Trim straps off flip flops. Save the rubber plugs that connect the straps to the flip flop soles. Print “ruler” on page 8 of the printable pattern and trim, tape pieces together and tape ruler around flip flop sole. With your sharp instrument, poke holes in each dot on the ruler. OR using your measuring tape, poke holes slightly less than 1 cm apart. You want the hole to go at an angle from about the middle of the way down the sole to about ¼ inch into the top of the sole. (Reference Part 1 of the video tutorial for help or see photo toward the bottom of this boat shoes pattern.)
Using smallest hook (B), attach SC yarn at the back of the heel by inserting your hook from the top of the flip flop toward the bottom of the sole, grabbing the yarn and pulling through to the top. Ch 1 through the loop you’ve created to attach the yarn to the flip flop. (See video Part 1 or photos in this boat shoe pattern for help.)
SC Round: Using Size B hook and SC, sc in each hole around sole, join with a sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Using size medium-sized (K) hook and MC, join to previous round with a slip stitch at position 11:00 if you’re right handed and position1:00 if you’re left handed.
Foundation Round: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with a sl st to first sc. Do not turn.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 10 sc, turn. (10 sts)
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Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 10 sc; on Foundation Round sts sc2tog, sc in next 2 sc, turn. (13 sts)
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Round 10 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to join.
Sizes 10 and larger:
Repeat Round 10.
Place markers at positions 10:00 and 2:00, with 8 stitches between them. The following rounds are worked without turning.
Rounds 11 - 17 (RS): Ch 1, [sc in each sc to marked st, sc2tog (place marker in created st)] twice, sc in each sc to end of round, sl st to join. (2 sts decreased each round)
Sizes 8 and larger:
Round 18 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each sc around, sl st to join.
Left Boot Ankle
Place marker at position 8:00. Use largest hook (L).
Row 19 (RS): Ch 1, sc in each sc to marked st, turn. (This row is intentionally very short.)
Row 20 (WS): Ch 1, scblo in each sc to marked st, (remove marker), ch 8, turn.
Row 21 (RS): Sc in second ch from hook and in next 6 ch, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Row 22 (WS): Ch 1, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Row 23 (RS, Buttonhole Row): Ch 1, scblo in next 2 sc, ch 1, sk next sc, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Row 24 (WS): Ch 1, scblo in each st across, turn.
Rows 25-26: Ch 1, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Rows 27-34: Repeat Rows 23-26 two times. (3 total buttonholes created)
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Right Boot Ankle
Place marker at position 4:00. Use largest hook (L).
Row 19 (RS): Sc in each sc to marked st, ch 8, turn.
Row 20 (WS): Sc in second ch from hook and in next 6 ch, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Row 21(RS): Ch 1, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Row 22 (WS): Repeat Row 21.
Row 23 (RS, Buttonhole Row): Ch 1, scblo in each sc to last 3 sts, ch 1, sk 1 st, scblo in next 2 sc, turn.
Row 24 (WS): Ch 1, scblo in each st across, turn.
Rows 25-26: Ch 1, scblo in each sc across, turn.
Row 27-34: Repeat Rows 23-26 two times.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
Finishing
Attaching Buttons: Sew on buttons, ensuring ridges in ankle section appear lined up when boots are buttoned.
Plugging Flip Flop Holes: If you’d plan to wear your boots outside, consider gluing the small rubber circles that connected your flip flop straps to the sole back into their original holes.
Fancy Feet: Tap those cozy toes together because you just crocheted your own sweater boots!
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss crocheting boots 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?
- Lightweight Crochet Slippers with Flip Flop Soles
- Free Crochet Ugg Boot Pattern
- Crochet Espadrilles Pattern
- Crochet Slip On Shoes Pattern
- Crochet Mukluk Slipper Pattern
- Crochet Slipper Boots Pattern
- Crochet Summer Slippers with Flip Flop Soles
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Tyia Huntsman says
Ahhh!!!! I am so excited right now!!! My boyfriend's trailer (don't ask) is always freezing and, let's face it, a little dirtier on the floor than I'd like my slippers to be on haha. This is perfect!!! Thank you so much for putting in all the time and then being so willing to share it with us. You people are the ones that keep me sane in this world!!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Aw, Tyia, thank so much for your kind words! It's people like YOU who keep me sane and making patterns in this world! I hope your toes stay cozy (and clean! ;))
Jess
Kate says
I didn't see where you addressed why you use a size smaller flip flop...
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I just use a smaller flip flop because I've found that without the straps holding my foot in, there is more rubber than necessary around my toes. If you think about how you sort of need a buffer zone of rubber so that your feet don't slide off onto the ground while wearing flip flops, you just don't need that when you've made the flip flops into shoes.
Hope that makes sense! I'd just measure your feet on the flip flop soles and choose a pair that's just slightly larger than your actual foot.
Cindy says
Would a sole insert be workable on these? That way you can't feel the glued-in rubber pieces. Cindy
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Cindy,
Yes, I think so! My mom wears her orthodics in hers actually and it works great. I know a few people have crocheted a soft sole to go inside the boot as well. 🙂
Happy experimenting!
Jess
Debbie Swaim says
I love these crochet boots. Can't wait to make them 🙂 I have a question......did you make your yellow boot cuffs? If so, is there pattern for them? Thanks for the tutorial and video!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Debbie!
I actually did make those boot cuffs, but I never got around to writing up the pattern. They're knit. Do you know how to knit? If so, I'd be happy to share the general gist of how I made them with you. (Or soon I'll just make a crochet version and actually write up the pattern!)
Cora Mae says
I'm having a hare time printing this all up. Plase help
Jessica says
Would love this in a knit pattern! I can't crochet, to save my life
Bev says
I'm with you Jessica. Would love a knit pattern...any chance?
beverly says
I would like to make these boots by knitting instead of crocheting.
can you help?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Beverly,
I don't currently have a knit pattern because I haven't figured out a way to work around the rubber soles with stiff needles. Even with double pointed needles, it hasn't worked yet. My mom and I are experimenting though, so I'll def post a knitting pattern if we figure something out. 🙂
Andrew says
You could do the initial row of sc through the sole and then chain stitch all of them together, and then use a pair of round needles and cast on through the chain stitches, like a provisional cast on. Worth trying, anyway.
Nova says
Couldn't you pick up around the flip flop using the crochet hook and then transfer onto knitting needles?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yes! I totally think you could. (And obviously this would be a lot easier if you knew both knitting and crochet.) I'm actually hoping to develop a pattern in this vein in the new year. I'll def share it when I get it ironed out!
Kathleen says
You'd have to have totally malleable circular needles which I have never seen
Sue says
What if you knit the top half, cast off and then whip stitched that into place? You would of course have to prep the sole slightly past the hole punching and a few stitches. Whatever you decide, Good luck! .
I am going to give this a try this year. Thanks so much for the pattern Jess! ?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Sue,
I think this approach sounds really smart. It's kind of what I've been thinking too. I'm just trying to figure out how to get the size of the knit piece to correspond with the sole really accurately. I'd love to see any of your experiments if you decide to give a knit version a try!
Jess
Sara says
The website will not let me make a payment for the pattern. Any suggestions why. It just says refused. I just want the measuring tape.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh no! That's super annoying. I'm not sure why. Do you have Pay Pal? If you'd just like send me $2.50 directly via PayPal I could just email you the pdf. I don't exactly why that would be happening, but I'm sorry it's causing trouble for you!
(My email address for PP is jessicacoppom (at) gmail (dot) com)
Tamra says
This may be a silly question, but do you wear socks with these booties or no? Since you said to get a size smaller flip flop I was wondering if you just put nakey feet in. This is an amazing idea! Hoping to get some done for Christmas!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I like to wear socks just because my feet are even cozier that way, although you can def wear them "naked" 🙂
I just use a smaller flip flop because I’ve found that without the straps holding my foot in, there is more rubber than necessary around my toes. If you think about how you sort of need a buffer zone of rubber so that your feet don’t slide off onto the ground while wearing flip flops, you just don’t need that when you’ve made the flip flops into shoes.
Hope that makes sense! I’d just measure your feet on the flip flop soles and choose a pair that’s just slightly larger than your actual foot.
Sheri says
I am kind of in love with the sweater boots. I was wondering, do you think it would look funky if I use a little bit of a wedge flip flop instead of just a flat flip-flop?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Oh, interesting question! I can't say that I honestly have an answer! I think if it's a pretty minor wedge, the pattern should work just fine. If it's more like a high heel wedge, the pattern might turn out quite a bit different just because you'd already have so much heel height from the sole.
If you do give it a try, I'd love to see a pic!
Samanthia says
Do you have any suggestions on how to make this pattern for kids?
Vasanti Pereira says
I made the moccasin but they look quite big could you please help me to know what may have been wrong I used the handicraft yarn as it is cotton
Iam says
Did you use a flip flop that was one size smaller than you normally wear? Another way would be to make sure the flip flop is reasonably close to fitting like a normal shoe/slipper
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Yup, that's exactly what I did! I just look for a flip flop that is just a hair larger than my actual foot. 🙂
Trish says
I started making the crochet boots from flip flops. I used a smaller size flip flop and had to use a smaller crochet hook for correct gauge, but it is turning out too large. I wear a 7 1/2 and am using the pattern for size 6. I decreased a lot more than the pattern so it would not fall off my foot, but when I got to the flap area, now I have so few stitches going around because of my decreases that my foot will not even fit through the opening. Help! Should I start over and stick to the pattern decreases? I was concerned that it was going to be so loose and flop around on my foot. I am stuck! Thanks!!
Veronica Ellingson says
I crochet but here is the thing I CANNOT READ PATTERNS I can look at a photo or finished item it sounds funny but I can send you a baby blanket that I am making and what I looked at to get it made
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
That's a great skill to be able to look at an item and make it without a pattern! It's kind of similar to playing music after just hearing it once. Very impressive! I'd love to see your blanket. 🙂
Debbie Lee says
I don't read patterns either but I do watch videos to make new things. I like just making scarves, afghans and hats. I have been asked to make these boots but I am a little afraid to get started, my sons gf showed me the crocheted shoes before so I think I'm need to learn how to do this.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Good for you, Debbie! Let me know if you have any questions as you get started. 🙂
Gwenna says
could you put your videos on you tube???? the commercial are killer to try and watch them on here
PatE says
It confuses me to see that the pattern is listed as free, but the hole punching template requires $2.50. What a high price to pay for a piece of paper with dots on it.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Pat,
The entire free pattern is contained in the blog post and you can def feel free to just eyeball your hole placement. The $2.50 covers the cost of the ad-free, printable pattern and the hole guide is a bonus because I know many people would like a little more guidance with their hole poking.
Hope that clears things up. Happy crocheting!
Jess
Pam says
Hi, I made the sweater boots for my daughter and now my granddaughter wants a pair. She wears a size 1, I was wondering if you came up with her size version or any ideas on how I could. Would I poke the holes farther apart if so how far apart or closers and then follow same pattern maybe using smaller hooks.
Thanks Psm
Sara Neff says
it wont even play anything after the commercials for me @_@
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Sara,
Thank you so much for letting me know about the video issue. I just checked and am seeing the same problem. I’m quite frustrated and I imagine you are too. I’ve sent an urgent message to the company that hosts my videos to find out what is going on. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience! I hope to get this sorted out asap!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Snick,
Blah! Thank you so much for letting me know about the video issue. I just checked and am seeing the same problem. I’m quite frustrated and I imagine you are too. I’ve sent an urgent message to the company that hosts my videos to find out what is going on. I’m so sorry for the inconvenience! I hope to get this sorted out asap!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hi again Laurie!
So the ad network thinks they have it worked out so that you should not have that page reloading problem. Will you please let me know if you have any more issues? I definitely want to get this sorted out for you and everyone else. 🙂
Thanks again for your patience!
Jess
laurel jellema says
jess, i can't find a way to ask a question or leave a comment so trying this. sorry :(. i am wondering if i am making a larger or smaller size, how this affects the stitch numbers like when doing the toe. at times you work in a certain number of stitches and skip a certain number. do the numbers change with the size as there are less stitches in a smaller size and more in a larger size?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Laurel,
Great question. The different sizes are all accounted for toward the back of the boot, so you work the toe section the same for each size. Have you checked out the videos by any chance? There are a few places in the videos where I mention some details on how to customize the size and fit further. (I think the 2nd and 3rd video have the most details on sizing.)
Hope that helps. Happy crocheting!
Jess
Joni DeVaul says
I have watched the videos and tried to follow along. I do exactly what it says but cannot get these to come out. They are HUGE and have a lot of bulkiness in places. I have tried everything. I have started over and over I am using your ruler and trying to do size 7/8 and they do not come out like yours. What can I do???? Thanks Joni
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Joni!
I'm so sorry to hear you're having trouble. These flip flop patterns do tend to have some variability. A couple thoughts:
-I found that deliberatly crocheting sort of tightly (like with amigurumi) helped me achieve a nice, tight fabric.
-You might try using a smaller hook as well as adding some decreases to help the boot fit closer to your foot. I explain this in the video, but essentially, you're adding additional decreases as soon as it seems like it's going to be "floating" above your foot too much. Does that make sense?
-Lastly, and I realize it might be too late for this pair of flip flops, I wonder if you poked your holes just slightly farther apart if that would help. You'd naturally end up with fewer stitches overall then, which could make the boot fit a bit tighter.
I hope some of this is helpful! I'm working an a new boot technique that I hope will be even simpler to achieve and I hope to post that here before the end of the month. I'm always refining how to make the patterns easier and more straightforward for M&DC readers 🙂
Jess
Pat Roundtree says
Is there a pattern that can be ordered to be sent to a group in a ladies federal prison. They can't download from the computer but can get patterns mailed to them.no spiral bound books or hard back. I have some one far away from home & someone is teaching a group . They have a limited supply that they can purchase but they can get yarn & needles in their store at the prison. Please let me know
Alissa Fischer says
Thank you I have also been having issues with watching the videos. I was only able to watch the first that tells you the materials you need. I haven't tried to watch on my desktop pc just my kindle he tablet and my cell phone. The rest wouldn't load
tami Holmberg says
Jess,
I bought your pattern to get commercial free, but it will not load 🙁 I'm on pair #3 and have to use the Free video to follow ....your pattern is awesome , but I 'd rather have th videos to follow ....any ideas? I have the pdf ...and trying to open from there ...
thanks , tami in snow Michigan
Mollie Hollar says
I absolutely HATE patterns that say free, and then you have to pay for them. I really wanted to make the cabin boots for my granddaughter -- she asked me if I'd make them for her. Do you really expect me to sit in my office in a horrible chair to follow the pattern on my computer?!!! I'm an old lady on a fixed income, and I really can't afford to pay $2.50 for a "free" pattern. I don't know what you're thinking. So utterly disappointing!
Karen says
Whats utterly disappointing is ungrateful people and whats worse is ungrateful complaining people! How dare you make an untrue accusation.