These crochet toddler slippers are made to resemble boat shoes and have a flip flop sole for extra busy-toddler grip.
Crocheted slippers made from flip flops are just downright awesome because they’re more substantial than normal crochet slippers, yet still keep your feet from overheating during the warmer months. And in this case, the rubber sole makes the perfect non-slip slippers for active kids. (Because, let’s be honest, we want slippers, but we don’t want SLIPpers.)
And well, sharks mean beaches. Beaches mean boats. Boats mean boat shoes. And thus this crochet boat shoes pattern was born.
• Transforming flip flops into slippers isn’t an exact science! Unlike other crochet patterns, these slippers have a lot of variables, most significant of which is the size of flip flops you use and the number of holes you poke. I’m providing general guidelines and some troubleshooting tips to help keep the process fun 🙂
• You might want to size down when buying your flip flops. Since your foot won’t be held in by the flip flop strap, your normal size of flip flops might feel a bit roomy as crocheted slippers.
• The slippers pictured are a toddler size 7-8. I poked 57 holes in the sole of each flip flop for this size. To make slippers with bigger or smaller flip flops, just adjust the number of holes, poking them about every .25 inch. (If you’ve made my women’s summer slipper pattern, you might want to make your holes slightly closer together for these toddler slippers. These aren’t meant to curl inward, so you want slightly more stitches per inch.)
• I used a sharp tool meant for clay to poke my holes. A skewer, small drill bit or something similar could work too.
• The reason the pattern calls for a smaller hook for the first row is simply because it’s hard to fit the larger hook into the sole without stretching the holes out too much.
So you can spend more time crocheting and less time shopping, this post contains affiliate links at no extra cost to you.
I love to see your finished projects! Tag me on Instagram (@MakeAndDoCrew) to show me your stitches.
You may make items to sell with this pattern. In exchange, I ask that you link back to me into two places — one link to my homepage (MakeAndDoCrew.com) and one link to this post page. Do not use my photos as your own sales photos. Do not distribute this pattern as your own. All clear? Alright, let’s make something awesome!
TODDLER CROCHET BOAT SHOE SLIPPERS – FREE PATTERN
PURCHASE A PRINTABLE PDF OF THIS PATTERN BY CLICKING HERE.
Perfect for crocheting on the go or mobile viewing!
Sizes
Toddler shoe size 5-6, 7-8, 9-10
Supplies
• B /2.5 mm hook (I love this affordable set!)
• G /4.25 mm hook
• approximately 100 yards worsted weight cotton (I used “I Love This Cotton” in red from Hobby Lobby)
• approximately 13′ of white worsted weight yarn
• one pair of flip flops aka “thongs” (One size smaller than the child wears normally. See note above. These shark flip flops are from Walmart.)
• scissors
• 2 stitch markers
• sharp tool to poke holes in the flip flops
Abbreviations – US terms
ch – chain
sk st – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
tr – triple crochet
sc-dec – single crochet decrease
MAIN BODY OF SLIPPER – all sizes
Using your sharp instrument, poke holes about every 1/4 inch around each flip flop sole. You want the hole to go at an angle from 1/4″ from the edge of the top of the sole and come out about half way down the side of the sole. Make your holes far enough from the edge that the yarn won’t rip through the rubber when you create your first row of crochet.
Rows 2-8: With larger hook, cont in sc around the sole. (Crochet in the round. Do not sl st and ch 1 at the end of each row.)
Place one stitch marker on either side of the slipper, two thirds of the way down the sole toward the toe. This is where the hole for the laces will end. Do not turn work, continue with Row 9 in the same direction as previous row.
Row 10: ch 1, 1 sc-dec into next 2 stitches, 1 sc in each sc until 2nd to last stitch, sl st in last sc; turn.
Row 11: ch 1, 1 sc-dec into next 2 stitches, 1 sc in each sc until 2nd to last stitch, 1 sc-dec in last two stitches; turn.
Row 12 (to form lace hole – see photo below): ch 3, tr in next 2 stitches, 2 sc down side of tr, 1 sc in next sc, cont 1 sc in each sc until 2nd to last stitch on other side, 1 sc-dec in last two stitches; turn.
Row 13 (to form lace hole): ch 3, tr in next 2 stitches, 2 sc down side of tr, 1 sc in next sc, cont 1 sc in each sc to mid heel where you fastened on, sl st in next sc. Fasten off and weave in end.
TOP OF SLIPPER / TONGUE
Tip: The increases and decreases always take place at the same end where the tail from the initial chain is hanging off.
ch 9.
Row 1: sc into 2nd chain, sc in next 6 sc, 2 sc in last ch; turn. (9)
Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 8 sc; turn. (10)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in next 9 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (11)
Row 4: ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 10 sc; turn. (12)
Row 5: ch 1, sc in each sc; turn. (12)
Row 6: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 10 sc; turn. (11)
Row 7: ch 1, sc in next 9 sc, 1 sc-dec in last 2 sc; turn. (10)
Row 8: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 8 sc; turn. (9)
Row 9: ch 1, sc in next 7 sc, 1 sc-dec in last 2 sc; fasten off. (8)
Size Toddler 7-8
ch 11.
Row 1: sc into 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 8 sc, 2 sc in last ch; turn. (11)
Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 10 sc; turn. (12)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in next 11 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (13)
Row 4: ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 12 sc; turn. (14)
Row 5: ch 1, sc in next 13 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (15)
Row 6-7: ch 1, sc in each sc; turn. (15)
Row 8: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 13 sc; turn. (14)
Row 9: ch 1, sc in next 12 sc, 1 sc-dec in last 2 sc; turn. (13)
Row 10: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 11 sc; turn. (12)
Row 11: ch 1, sc in next 10 sc, 1 sc-dec in last 2 sc; turn. (11)
Row 12: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 9 sc; fasten off. (10)
Size Toddler 9-10
ch 13.
Row 1: sc into 2nd chain from hook, sc in next 10 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (13)
Row 2: ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 12 sc; turn. (14)
Row 3: ch 1, sc in next 13 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (15)
Row 4: ch 1, 2 sc in first sc, sc in next 14 sc; turn. (16)
Row 5: ch 1, sc in next 15 sc, 2 sc in last sc; turn. (17)
Row 6-9: ch 1, sc in each sc; turn. (17)
Row 10: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 15 sc; turn. (16)
Row 11: ch 1, sc in next 14 sc, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc; turn. (15)
Row 12: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 13 sc; turn. (14)
Row 13: ch 1, sc in next 12 sc, 1 sc-dec in last 2 sc; turn. (13)
Row 14: ch 1, 1 sc-dec in next 2 sc, sc in next 11 sc; fasten off. (12)
FINISHING:
Align tongue with curved edge toward toe. Beginning ¼ “ from the top edge of the tongue, sew the inner edges of the tongue and slipper together with a mattress stitch. (Here’s a good mattress stitch tutorial.) Make sure to only go through the inner loops as pictured so as to avoid a bulky seam. Stop with ¼” of tongue left unsewn, fasten off.
Now you want a pair for yourself, don’t you?! Check out my free women’s crochet summer slipper pattern to make your own!
WANT MORE FREE CROCHET FLIP FLOP PATTERNS?
I'd love to send you more free crochet patterns that'll knock your little handmade socks off! You in?
WANT MORE FREE CROCHET FLIP FLOP PATTERNS?
I'd love to send you more free crochet patterns that'll knock your little handmade socks off! You in?
33 Comments
Celeste
June 8, 2016 at 12:32 pmThese are so adorable! I just love little baby shoes, and I can’t get over how fun these are! What a neat way to repurpose some old flip flops. The shark mouths just add to the cuteness factor! 😉
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
June 10, 2016 at 4:20 pmOh Celeste, your comments always make me smile. Someone mentioned that the sharks are perfect or shark week. I hadn’t planned that, but they’re so right! 🙂
makeda
September 26, 2016 at 8:45 amhey jess where can i get a darning needle on line
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 27, 2016 at 8:34 pmHey Makeda,
It looks like there are some good deals on Amazon. (That’s an affiliate link.) Or I’m sure Michaels.com or Joanns.com would have one too.
Hope that helps!
Jess
Mindy Lea
June 8, 2016 at 12:44 pmI think I may convert your boat slipper pattern for Men’s size. My son want’s a pair and I was going to adapt your women’s slipper pattern but could not decide on a stitch to use for the top that is more masculine. I think you solved my problem. 😉 Right now I have a fisherman baby outfit on the hook for a baby shower. I need to make a list of all the projects I want to do. So many crochet projects, so little time. These are Totes Adorbs! Thanks for your free patterns. I’m gonna click on a few ads for you now. 😀
Shirlene Rogers
June 12, 2016 at 4:56 pmAnybody besides me end up with really tall shoes? I had to redo these only doing half the rows! I love the pattern and after tweaking it I came up with the same thing you did! This happened with the ladies slippers as well. I even used an F hook instead of a G. I guess I’m a goofy crocheter! Thanks for the adorable patterns you create and share!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
June 14, 2016 at 3:29 pmHey Shirlene,
How funny. I wonder what happened. Are you used to UK terms by any chance? I was intending these to be US terms, in which case sc would mean single crochet. I can see if you used double crochet they might end up really tall. Either way, I’m glad you found a solution that worked for you!
Jess
Debbie
January 25, 2017 at 6:48 pmI’m actually having the same issue – just finished the first one and showed to my husband so I’m starting the second one and going to see if I do half if I get what it should be in my mind.
DARLENE
June 16, 2016 at 9:26 amI would love the boat slipper in an adult version. I am an above beginner crocheter but not much so would I just use my own flipflop and follow your directions adding more stitches? I LOVE IT! I would also like to try to make a pair for my 10 yr old grandson.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
June 16, 2016 at 11:32 pmHey Darlene!
I’m planning to make an adult boat shoe pattern version 🙂 In the mean time though, I do think you could just use adult flip flops and add a couple rows to the total number around the soles and make the top toe piece a bit bigger and you’d essentially have the same thing as the kids, only bigger. Hope that makes a little sense?!
Jess
Millie
June 22, 2016 at 6:54 pmthese boat slippers are adorable! love that you share the tute and pattern with us!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
June 22, 2016 at 9:29 pmThank you so much, Millie! I really had fun making them and my daughter loves racing around the house with them on 🙂
Mia
July 4, 2016 at 8:57 amFlip flops and Shoes for kids are absolutely adorable. I wish they would make them in adult version too. Cuteness at its best.
Sarah Roth
July 12, 2016 at 12:30 pmI saw these floating around Facebook and loved them. This is my first actual project I’m tackling. I’m stuck at beginning row 9. Im nearing the end of row 8, at the heel. If I were to start row 9 at the heal and then do my turn at the 3/4 marker, wouldn’t The stitching on say the left side, be twice as high once I get back to the heal? Any help will be much appreciated. Thank you for the lovely pattern as well!!
Christa
July 30, 2016 at 3:55 amThanks so much for the patterns!! I will be doing both toddlers and adults.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
July 30, 2016 at 2:02 pmAwesome! Hope you enjoy them, Christa. We get a lot of use out of ours around here.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
B. Rozeboom
September 24, 2016 at 6:35 pmI can’t wait to make these! I care for a two year old 4 days a week who runs even when he walks making lots of noise for my downstairs neighbors. I’ve already knitted him a pair of “magic” slippers for running and jumping in the house. I sewed in layers of an old foam mat for padding and used silicone to make them non skid but since he wears them all the time, they get smelly real fast. I think these will be just as effective for dampening the sound of his steps but easier to clean and deodorize without having to put them in the wash. Thanks for sharing this pattern.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 27, 2016 at 3:04 pmWhat creative ideas you’ve already had for this toddler noise dilemma! (Which I can totally relate too!) I think this could work really well for making “magic” shoes. 🙂
Happy crocheting!
Jess
pedisbox
September 26, 2016 at 12:28 amwow, so adorable pair of shoes and glad to hear that i can make it too for my younger sister.she will really like it.Thank you for such a great post and information.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
September 27, 2016 at 8:28 pmYou’re welcome! You have one lucky little sis!
Dorre
September 29, 2016 at 11:12 pmI’m late to the party, but I just made these and my son is in LOVE. It’s going to take a lot of convincing to get him into “real” shoes for PE tomorrow :P. Thank you again for such a wonderful pattern!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
October 12, 2016 at 4:22 pmAw, I love hearing that! They’re really fun for kids, aren’t they? My daughter loves running around the house in hers.
Now if I can just figure out a sturdy, PE-friendly pattern… 😉
Mindy J. Reyes
December 14, 2016 at 3:50 amI really this kind of shoes 🙂 I could not put it down. Thanks for sharing. I love it for my kids 🙂 🙂
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
December 29, 2016 at 4:09 pmOh great! My kids love these too! I’m so happy to hear you had fun making them.
Connie Drake
January 22, 2017 at 11:47 amHi I love the boat shoe and I am working on making an adult size for me, but I would like a clog pattern with a flip flop sole.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
January 22, 2017 at 8:58 pmI love the idea of clogs too. It’s on the list of future patterns I’m dreaming up. I have a lot of flip flop patterns planned for 2017! 🙂
Virginia Thompson
March 2, 2017 at 9:19 amI have a problem with shoes fitting me because I need slender sizes and I have narrow heels. I do wear flip-flops so I was wondering if yours would work if I used the whole thing instead of taking the toe and sides off of the flops?
Thanks
Heather
April 3, 2017 at 4:01 pmHow many holes would you poke for a 5/6 flip flop?
Tonya
May 6, 2017 at 3:51 pmThis is not your pattern…
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
May 11, 2017 at 2:24 pmHey Tonya,
I’m sorry, I’m confused by what you’re saying. These are indeed slippers I designed and crocheted myself for my daughter. Would you like to clarify further?
Jess
kiml
July 17, 2017 at 12:18 amthese would be perfect for adult men too
Mary Lou Barnett
April 23, 2018 at 10:24 amwhere can I find and download the pattern and instructions for the Adult size moccasins?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew
April 24, 2018 at 10:59 amHey Mary Lou,
The moccasin pattern can be found here. If you’d prefer to print a PDF, you can purchase it within that free pattern blog post. 🙂
Jess