Hey beach babe! Learn how to make crochet espadrilles with flip flop soles in this free pattern and tutorial. These sandals are perfect for the pier, the beach or your rich uncle’s yacht! Get the free pattern below or purchase the ad-free, printable PDF for $2.50 here.
These crochet espadrilles with flip flop soles have been kicking around my head since I made my first pair of flip flop crochet shoes last year. Don’t you think the woven look of espadrilles sandals just perfectly lends itself to some good old fashioned single crochet goodness?
I used ribbon for the ankle straps of my crochet espadrilles, but I also think leather could look fantastic too. You can really customize the vibe of these sandals depending on the color of yarn and ribbon you choose. I was going for a preppier, yacht babe look with these, but I can imagine a bohemian look with a more neutral color of yarn and leather ankle straps.
If you’ve never made one of my crochet patterns that use flip flops, this is a great beginner project to try. You might also like to read this Flip Flop FAQs post that answers a lot of common questions about how they hold up. These crochet espadrilles with flip flop soles are quite straightforward and work up super quickly because, let’s be honest, there’s just not that much crocheting to do. This means you can make a pair in every color!
Similar to my other flip flop crochet patterns, the ad-free, printable PDF of this pattern includes a handy printable ruler to wrap around your soles to guide your hole poking. This is super helpful in ensuring that you achieve the pattern gauge and sizing. Purchase the Crochet Espadrilles with Flip Flop Soles pattern PDF for $2.50 here.
You can find all my free crochet patterns using flip flops here. Pictured above: 1. Cabin Boots 2. Moccasins 3. Coachella Boots 4. Lightweight Slippers
Thanks to Lion Brand Yarn for sponsoring this post and enabling more free patterns on Make and Do Crew!
And my gratitude goes to my dear friend McCall for taking photos me wearing these sandals when I visited her recently. It’s not everyday you get to have your feet photographed by a real, fancy photographer! (At least in my world.)
Please do not publish or share this pattern as your own.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!
Crochet Espadrilles With Flip Flop Soles – Free Pattern
Purchase the printable PDF with hole-poking guide for $2.50 here.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin this pattern for later here.
Sizes (see Overall Pattern Notes):
Small – women’s shoe size 5-6 (flip flop length approx. 9.5)”
Medium – women’s shoe size 7-8 (flip flop length approx. 10)”
Large – women’s shoe size 9-10 (flip flop length approx. 10.5)”
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 yrds) divided into two balls – color: Red (MC)
• Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton – 1 skein (186 yards) – color: Ecru (SC)
• If Ecru color doesn’t match flip flop color, you’ll want about 20 yards of 24/7 Cotton that does
• Sharp 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 pattern or 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
• 90″ of ribbon (the ribbon pictured is a 1/2″ wide)
• Fray Check or clear nail polish for ribbon ends
• Strong glue such as E6000 to glue strap plugs to sole (optional)
• Stitch markers (optional)
Gauge:
8 st = 2”, 9 rows = 2” worked in single crochet
Abbreviations and Glossary:
sc – single crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stich
ch – chain
WS – wrong side
RS – right side
MC – main color
SC – sole color
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! 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!
•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. (See photo below.)
• Left and right shoes are identical.
• Pattern is worked with two strands of yarn held together throughout, except for the foundation round which is worked with one strand. Divide one skein of main color into two equal balls.
ESPADRILLES TOE
Notes:
• The shoe is 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. (The printable ruler makes this pretty straightforward, but it’s still a good idea to count and double check.)
• When working sc2tog stitches on the sole, keep yarn fairly tight so as to create a smooth edge around the sole edge. It may take a couple of attempts to get the sc2tog stitch to look how you’d like it to. (See photo below.)
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. Save the rubber plug from the strap between your toes to glue in later.
Print “ruler.” Trim, tape pieces together and tape ruler around flip flop sole. With your sharp instrument, poke holes in each dot on the ruler. If you haven’t purchased the ruler, poke holes 3/8th of and inch apart.
You want the hole to go at an angle from about the middle of the way down the sole to about 1/4 inch into the top of the sole. Ensure your holes are far enough from the edge so that the yarn won’t rip through the rubber when you create your first row of crochet. Reference Part 1 of the Breckenridge Boots video tutorial for help.
Using one strand of SC, tie slip knot around smaller hook. Insert hook at back of heel (6:00 position) Using smallest hook, attach SC 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 of the flip flop and through the slip knot to attach the yarn to the flip flop. (See photo below.)
ALL SIZES:
Make 2.
Foundation Round: Continuing with size B hook and single strand of SC, ch1, sc in each hole around sole, join with a sl st to first sc. Fasten off. You will work over yarn tails in the heel section of the pattern.
Place stitch markers at 11:00 and 1:00 positions with 6 stitches in between. Using larger hook and two strands of MC, make a slip knot on hook. Insert hook at the 11:00 marked st of Foundation Round (1:00 marked st for left-handed crocheters), yarn over and pull loop through slip knot to join yarn at toe. Begin Row 1 in same stitch and work over the tail of yarn you just attached.
Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 8 sc; turn. (8) (See photo above.)
Row 2 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 8 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (10)
Row 3 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 10 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (12)
Row 4 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 12 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (14)
Row 5 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 14 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (16)
Row 6 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 16 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (18)
Row 7 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 18 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (20)
Continue finishing toe according to the shoe size you’re making.
SIZE 5-6:
Row 8 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 18 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (21)
Row 9 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 19 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (22)
Row 10 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 20 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (23)
Row 11 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 21 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (24)
Row 12 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 22 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (25)
Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sl st in next sc, sc in next 23 sc, sc 1 on sole, sl st 1 on sole. Fasten off. (26)
SIZE 7-8:
Row 8 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 20 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (22)
Row 9 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 22 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (24)
Row 10 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 22 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (25)
Row 11 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 23 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (26)
Row 12 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 24 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (27)
Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 25 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (28)
Row 14 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 26 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (29)
Row 15 (RS): Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sl st in next sc, sc in next 27 sc, sc 1 on sole, sl st 1 on sole. Fasten off. (30)
SIZE 9-10:
Row 8 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 20 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (22)
Row 9 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 22 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (24)
Row 10 (WS): Ch 1, sc in next 24 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (26)
Row 11 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 26 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (28)
Row 12 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 26 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (29)
Row 13 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 27 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (30)
Row 14 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 28 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (31)
Row 15 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 29 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (32)
Row 16 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 30 sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (33)
Row 17 (RS): Ch 1, sk 1 sc, sl st in next sc, sc in next 31 sc, sc 1 on sole, sl st 1 on sole. Fasten off. (34)
ESPADRILLES HEEL
Notes:
• The heel is worked perpendicular to the sole in Row 1, but continues to spread out across heel as rows continue.
• Left-handed crocheters, reverse mentions of “right” and “left”. Similarly, reverse mentions of 5:00 and 7:00 positions.
• Size 5-6 is listed, with instructions for sizes 7-10 in parenthesis. Sizes 7-8 and 9-10 are worked identically until Row 9.
Using larger hook and two strands of MC, make a slip knot on hook. Insert hook at the 6:00 position of Foundation Round, yarn over and pull loop through slip knot to join yarn at back of heel. As heel is worked, crochet over the tail of yarn you just attached as well as the tails from the Foundation Round.
ALL SIZES:
To begin: Ch 4 (5); turn so that WS of work is facing. (4), (5)
Row 1 (WS): Sk first ch, sc in next 3 (4) ch, sc 2 on sole toward the 5:00 position; turn. (5), (6) (See photo above.)
Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 2 (3) sc, 2 sc in next sc; continuing down back side of chain 2 sc in next ch, sc in next 2 (3) ch, sc 2 on sole toward 7:00 position; turn. (11), (13) (See photo above.)
Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 3 (4) sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 4 (5) sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (14), (16)
Row 4 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 5 (6) sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 5 (6) sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (17), (19)
Row 5 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 6 (7) sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 7 (8) sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (20), (22)
Row 6 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 8 (9) sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 8 (9) sc, sc 2 on sole; turn. (23), (25)
Row 7 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 9 (10) sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 10 (11) sc, sc 1 on sole; turn. (25), (27)
Row 8 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 10 (11) sc, 2 sc in each of next 2 sc, sc in next 11 (12) sc, sc 1 on sole; turn. (27), (29)
Continue finishing heel according to the shoe size you’re making. (For the larger sizes, you can also try on the shoe and decide if you’d like more heel coverage (follow size 9/10 instructions) or less (follow size 7/8 instructions).
SIZE 5-6 AND 7-8:
Row 9 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 25 (27) sc, sl st 1 on sole; turn. (27), (29)
Row 10 (RS): Ch 1, skip sl st, sc in next 27 (28) sc, sl st 1 on sole. (27), (29)
SIZE 9-10:
Row 9 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 27 sc, sc 1 on sole; turn. (29)
Row 10 (RS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 28 sc, sc 1 on sole; turn. (30)
Row 11 (WS): Ch 1, sc2tog, sc in next 28 sc, sl st 1 on sole; turn. (30)
Row 12 (RS): Ch 1, skip sl st, sc in next 29 sc, sl st 1 on sole. (30)
FINISHING
Weaving In Ends: Use a sharp tapestry needle to weave in remaining ends from toe and heel section.
Plugging Flip Flop Holes: If you’d like, replace the small rubber circle that connected your flip flop straps to the sole between your toes. Glue it in place. In my experience, the other two mid-foot strap plugs stay in place without glue as long as they’re cut at an angle like in photo at the beginning of the pattern.
Adding Ankle Strap: Cut (2) 42” pieces of ribbon or leather. With WS of heel facing, thread ribbon through to back of shoe. (Use a crochet hook to grab it if necessary.) Leaving two single crochet between the ribbon entry points, thread ribbon back through to WS of heel. Trim ribbon ends at 45 degree angle. Add Fray Check or clear nail polish to avoid fraying. Repeat with second shoe.
Optional Top Stitching: If you’d like to add the classic espadrilles stitching around the toe, you can do so with a blanket stitch and one strand of SC yarn doubled over. (See photo below for example of how this looks.) I opted to leave this off in the sample.
Fancy Feet: Hit the pier, the beach or the yacht in your new DIY espadrilles!
I love to see your finished projects! Use #MakeAndDoCrew and tag me Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show off your stitches and have a chance to be featured.
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Is the “ruler” on this page? I didn’t see it at the bottom or anywhere else.
Hey Kelli,
The printable ruler is part of the paid PDF pattern. If you’d like to forgo that, you can use a measuring tape and space the holes about 3/8th of an inch apart. 🙂
Jess
Jess I paid for the ruler and did not receive it
Hey Carla,
I’m sorry I’m just seeing this! Were you able to get the ruler? Please email me if not and I’ll make sure you get what you need. Jess (at) makeanddocrew (dot) com.
Thanks!
Jess
Oh ok. Thank you.
How about Knitting patterns for footwear, for those who only knit?
Hey Patti,
They are a little trickier to figure out because of the limitation of the needles being unable to bend. (Even double pointed needles have proven a little tricky.) I am working on a design though and hope to get it nailed down to share soon!
Jess
Hi Jess:
Just wanted to say thank you for sharing your creativity with us! I absolutely love your ideas. To date I have not been able to make any projects due to time constraints, but there are many on my to do list. These may have to be the first because of the simplicity of the pattern. Thank you again. You are awesome and inspirational!
Thank you so much, Sharon. I really did want to make a simple shoe that could be made quickly so I’m happy to hear this checks the box for you! I hope you enjoy your espadrilles (and all the other patterns on your to-do list! Oh boy, I can relate to that!)
Jess
Jess, I want you to know your flip-flop are OUT STANDING… I love all that you have made. I will be trying to make then very soon just moved and getting settle. Again Love them all… Ana
Thank you so much, Anna! Good luck getting settled. Moving can be so much work!
Muito obrigada! Seus trabalhos são maravilhosos!
Hi Jess
The tops are coming out too wide. Should I elimate some of the stitches?
Thanks
Linda
Hey Linda,
Yes, if they’re coming out a little too wide for you, I’d sc2tog near the sole on each side to reduce your total number of stitches. Did you use the ruler to poke your holes or just eyeball the placement? If you did it freehand, it could be that you just have a few too many holes and you need to eliminate a few stitches. Also it can be helpful to keep your stitches really pretty tight, like you’re working amigurumi.
Hope that’s helpful!
Jess
Hi Jess,
Thank you for sharing this. I will definitely be trying this soon. I wanted to find out how you can clean them when they get dirty. Any ideas?
Hey Winnie,
I’ve heard from readers who have had lucking washing them in the machine with cold water on gentle. Then you can just stuff some paper towels in the toes so they hold their shape while air drying.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Hi Jess,
Is the ruler the same for all of your flip-flop shoe patterns, or are the holes spaced differently for each pattern?
Thank you for sharing your wisdom, creativity, and talent!
Hey Melissa,
Thanks for such a nice comment. 🙂
They’re generally different because the gauge of the yarn/pattern is different. The exception to that is that you can use the lightweight slippers ruler to make the moccasins as well.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Grazie mille 😊😘 sei bravissima 👏👏👏👏👏👏
i only did at the ends of the rows increased one and at the turn chained one. sl st the last row, i only have upto 20 st. the basic of the pattern got me through
Hello Jess,
Thank you for the awesome pattern my sister was talking about wanting a pair of espadrille. I made her a pair and she loves it. I plan to make a pair for myself. I cannot wait for your next fabulous ideas.
Hey Chloe,
You’re so sweet, both to make some espadrilles for your sister and to write such a kind note to me. Thank you!!
Jess
Hello,
Thank you for showing an easier way to make the holes. My trial pair was not this neat and consistent. What does “SC 2 on sole” mean? Row 2 and I’m already lost lol.
Hey Tina!
sc 2 on sole means to single crochet two stitches onto the foundation round of single crochets. (Which is the round that’s tan-colored in the photos.) Essentially, you work over the stitches you already created (in red) and then add two more stitches to your toe section by working those two single crochets on the sole. Does that make sense?
🙂
Jess
I love these and wanted to watch the video, but the link is dead. Can you please check it out?
“Row 1 (RS): Ch 1, sc in next 8 sc; turn. (10) (See photo above.)”
Why is it 10 stitches in total? Shouldn’t it be 9?
Yes, it actually should be eight stitches total. Thanks so much for pointing that out!
Jess
hi Jess I cant wait to make this, but Im having trouble finding the lion brand 24/7 yarn in the right colors. can I substitute lily sugar and cream or peaches and cream?
Hey Peggy,
I know 24/7 Cotton is sometimes sold at Joann’s and always on LionBrand.com. It’s a bit thinner than a cotton like Lily Sugar and Cream or Peaches and Cream, so I suspect that if you used one of those yarns, you may want to only use one strand instead of two held together. Another resource that might help is YarnSub.com because it can help you find substitute yarns of the same weight.
Hope that’s helpful!
Jess
How tall should the back heel part be when it’s done? I’ve completed the pattern for the heel through the size 5-6 instructions (I wear a size 9 shoe) and mine is already 3.5 inches tall. I’m wondering if my ruler slipped while I was poking holes and I have too many holes cramped in back there? I really don’t want it to be any taller but I’d also like some more coverage on the sides of the heel. Do you think continuing to work back and forth in rows on the sides of the heel and putting slip stitches at the top rather than single crochet could work?
im having trouble locating a store online that has the lion brand 24/7 in the right colors. is there an alternate yarn I could use?
Hey Peggy,
I really like the durability, sheen and stitch definition with 24/7 Cotton. You can actually get it straight from the Lion Brand website here. Otherwise, I’ve also seen it in some larger Joann’s stores locally.
Hope that helps!
Jess
I absolutely adore these shoes! I saw them on Pinterest about a week ago and haven’t stopped thinking about them since. I was at Michaels today and saw that they have flipflops for $1.50 (CDN) so I grabbed a pair, along with some worsted-weight cotton, so now I’m all set to go.
The only problem is I NEVER wear ankle straps. I have thick ankles that I’m a bit self-conscious about, so the less attention I can draw to that particular area the better. Do you think I’d be able to combine the toe from these shoes with the back from your Seaside Slip-Ons? (I like the full back of those shoes but really prefer the closed toe of these ones.) Or are the two patterns too dissimilar?
Thanks!
Hey Sarah,
I have that happen to me too where a crochet idea just wedges itself in my brain. 🙂
I def think that combining the two could work. I think it’s a great idea, actually. One thing to note is that the 24/7 Cotton is slightly lighter than a regular worsted weight yarn, so if you’re subbing a different yarn, you might decide you prefer the look of just one strand. You could also poke your holes slightly closer together if you just use one strand of thicker yarn.
These shoes are always a fun experiment. Hope you enjoy the process!
Jess
Thank you for the response and the tip about the yarn weight! I’ll play around a bit to get a good fabric before trying this on actual sandals. (Maybe I’ll hold one strand together with a different, thinner yarn.) It’ll be a fun experiment!
I just received the espadrilles kit…yarn and pattern. The pattern says there is a ruler at the end but there is not! This is a real cool looking pattern so I want to get going and to make it right. The photos are great!
Hey Maggie,
Thanks so much! The ruler should have been included in the kit from Lion Brand and I’m so sorry it wasn’t. I’ve emailed you a copy of it.
Happy crocheting!
Jess