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?
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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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Donna Ney says
Thank you for this wonderful pattern. I have made 2 pairs of flip flop shoes and one pair of boots that I designed from looking at other flip flop shoes on the internet. I think this will be my favorite pair when I get them done. I wear a size 6 flip flop for these shoes and hope I can get the pattern to work for me in that size. Many thanks.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Donna,
I'd love to hear your feedback. I think the pattern is working better for sizes 7 and up. I'm actually starting a pair of size 6 boots this weekend so I can figure out if the pattern needs to be tweaked at all. Feel free to let me know what works for you!
Jess
Donna Ney says
I am just about finished with the second shoe on size 6 flip flops and the fit is perfect with no changes in the pattern. I have seen several people on here wanting to make size 6 and if you would like to inform them how to do it I poked 60 holes in the flip flop at 1 cm apart.Again thank you for the pattern, I just love them.
Donna Ney says
Just to add I had to use a 5.5 mm hook and crochet tight to get the right gauge and instead of the 8 mm for the top part I used a K 6.5 mm and crocheted not so tight.
Donna Ney says
The size 6 boot worked out great and since then I made a size 5 for my niece. She says they fit perfectly and wears them to school, she teaches in Iowa. I am making a pair similar to these and was looking at your videos for help but they do not seem to be working.
Cat says
Thank you so much for the pattern!! I'm going to go against the flow and THANK you for making this a purchasable pattern! I generally find that purchased patterns are much more reliable, and since crochet is how I help support my family, I like to help support the designers that make that possible :*
I just purchased the pattern and the yarn. Just to make sure I understand correctly before I get started, if I generally get 7/8 flip flops, I need to be using 5/6s for the sole, correct?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Cat!
Ha--I'm glad to get that feedback. It's hard to make everyone happy, so I just try to offer different options for people.
Yes--you'd want a slightly smaller flip flop than you usually wear. Basically, you just want a little space around your toes and heel instead of the usual amount of extra rubber.
I will say, I think the pattern might need some tweaks for a size 5/6 flip flop. I'm about to start a pair in that size so I can figure out if any adjustments are needed for the very smallest size. I'd love your feedback. (And I'll happily refund your $2.50 if you have to tweak the pattern significantly. 🙂
Jess
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I'm not familiar with the density of that foam, but overall I think they would work well as long as you could poke the holes in them without the foam ripping. (It seems to me like you could!)
angela says
hello - when I play the videos the sound is very muted - I can hear you talking but just barely
katrina says
Hi, I was wondering if these would work with any other yarn besides wool? I would love to make them, but my son has a wool allergy so I won't use wool. (We found out about his allergy from a wool scarf I had, I had it for a year when he put in on for 30 seconds, which ended up with him in the er.) I'm somewhat new to crocheting, so I'm not sure if I'd be able to use something besides wool or how I'd have to adjust the pattern if I did.
katrina says
I'll check it out, thankyou! I've just started to crochet so I'm still trying to figure everything out. So if I can find something in the same weight, then the pattern and everything would still be the same, right?
Lauren says
I am working these up for a male using size 10 flip flops. The cavity for the foot is massive, and where the rnd 11-17 decreases are is bulging. Do you think I should maybe go down a yarn guage? I am using Lions Brand Heartland Thick and Quick which I thought looked like a similar enough substitute if a little smaller perhaps, but the shape of the boot is not working at all.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Lauren,
I imagine that since the flip flop is quite large, you're just ending up with more total stitches than you need. (Since there are more holes on the sole, so there are more stitches being created for the entire boot.) I do think you could try a smaller hook, but also, you could start decreasing on the toe sooner so that it lies flatter against the foot. Does that make sense? Overall, you'd just be reducing the number of stitches so that the toe section isn't such a large cavity. I explain about this a bit in the video.
I hope that's helpful!
Jess
Brenda Jester says
I was wondering if you could please put closed caption of what you are saying, for those of us that are hearing impaired.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Brenda,
Thanks for your feedback. I can see how that could be really valuable. I'm a one woman operation so I don't always get to all the details of making the videos super usable for everyone (lefties, hearing impaired, non-English speakers). Do you know if there is a service or computer program that helps close caption things? I wonder if there's a way to do it besides transcribing the entire video myself. I will def keep your feedback in mind!
Jess
Jennifer Joy says
Hi! I think you did an amazing job on the video and written pattern for these boots!!! I appreciate the time and energy you put into doing this! I just love them and can't wait to make a pair!!! Thanks so much!!!
~Jennifer
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thank you so much, Jennifer! It brings me so much joy when my tutorials are useful to my fellow makers!
RettaDet says
These look awesome! Roughly how long would you guess these would take a beginner to work up? How many hours?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hmm...I'd estimate about 3-4 hours a boot for someone who has done a bit of crocheting before. I'd guess they take me about 2-2.5 hours per boot. I'm not an expert by any means, but I have had a lot of crochet practice!
Paula Becker says
How long do these take to make if one is a beginner ? I am wanting my craft group of ladies to do these when we meet.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I'd guess about 3-4 hours per boot for someone who has a little bit of experience crocheting.
Jessica Bailey says
I have made these 2 times and I'm having trouble with them being very large around the foot. The only difference is I used big twist super bulky yarn instead of the thick and quick. I am not sure what I'm doing wrong! Any advice? They are so cute but my foot slides all around inside due to the largeness of the foot part.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Jessica!
A couple thoughts--
- That yarn might be slightly heavier. I'm not sure because I haven't used it. Perhaps sizing down your hook could help.
- Have you watched the part of the video where I talk about troubleshooting if your boots are too loose? That might be helpful. Essentially, I recommend adding more decreases so that you reduce the total number of stitches, thereby making the boot fit closer to your foot.
- When I crochet these, I keep my stitches pretty tight. You might want to just keep a mind toward crocheting tightly if you're able to.
These flip flop patterns def require a bit of experimentation. I'm happy to keep brainstorming solutions with you so that you can make something you're happy with!
Jess
Carina says
Hi
I'm making the pattern in women's 7 (so size 6 flip flop). I completed row 10 of SC and proceeded to row 11 and up to decrease.
It just seems like the boot is way too large. Should I have skipped Row 10 SC?
Thanks!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Carina,
Where is it large? Like around your toes and top of foot? or just around your ankle? If it's too large around your toes and top of foot, you might want to do some additional decreases as I outline in the video in the troubleshooting section. If the boot is just seeming too long (like it's bumping into the front of the ankle, then I'd skip row 10.)
I hope that helps!
Jess