These crochet toddler slippers are made to resemble boat shoes and have a flip flop sole for extra busy-toddler grip.
The pattern I posted a few weeks ago for women’s summer slippers made from flip flops has been quite popular. I’m so glad, because my toes are definitely big fans of my own pair.
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.)
It probably goes without saying that as soon as I was shuffling around the house in some fancy crochet kicks, Momo requested her own pair. I let her choose whatever flip flops she wanted and she opted for a vivid shark pair from Walmart.
And well, sharks mean beaches. Beaches mean boats. Boats mean boat shoes. And thus this crochet boat shoes pattern was born.
I’d have to say that Momo’s slippers turned out a bit masculine, but it’s just because of the shark color palette. This style of house shoe could definitely be made in more feminine colors. Or you could just toss out the outdated idea that pink is for girls and blue is for boys and make them in whatever the heck color the kid loves. (My vote is for that last option!)
Notes on the kids' boat shoe slipper pattern
• 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.
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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 ¼ inch around each flip flop sole. You want the hole to go at an angle from ¼" 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.
Using smaller hook, attach 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.
Row 1: Using smaller hook, sc into each hole around sole.
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 9 (see photo above): 1 sc in each sc until 1 sc before marker. sl st in sc before marker; turn.
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.
Size Toddler 5-6
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.
Cut 3 strands of white yarn approximately 24” long each. Tie a short piece of yarn around one end of the 3 strands to fasten them together. Braid. Tie a second short piece of yarn around the 3 strands at the other end. Trim to an even edge. (See this hat braid tutorial for more details. Just use 3 strands for this slipper instead of 6 as in the tutorial.)
Weave the braided laces through the slippers as pictured. In order to allow the laces to anchor the laces loops on the sides of the slippers, make sure your laces are entering the holes in the same direction as in the photo.
Strap these magic slippers on your favorite kiddo and watch them run around the house with glee.
Now you want a pair for yourself, don't you?! Check out my free women’s crochet summer slipper pattern to make your own!
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Celeste says
These 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 says
Oh 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 says
hey jess where can i get a darning needle on line
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey 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 says
I 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 says
Anybody 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 says
Hey 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 says
I'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 says
I 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 says
Hey 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 says
these boat slippers are adorable! love that you share the tute and pattern with us!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thank you so much, Millie! I really had fun making them and my daughter loves racing around the house with them on 🙂
Mia says
Flip flops and Shoes for kids are absolutely adorable. I wish they would make them in adult version too. Cuteness at its best.
Sarah Roth says
I 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 says
Thanks so much for the patterns!! I will be doing both toddlers and adults.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Awesome! Hope you enjoy them, Christa. We get a lot of use out of ours around here.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
B. Rozeboom says
I 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 says
What 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 says
wow, 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 says
You're welcome! You have one lucky little sis!
Dorre says
I'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 says
Aw, 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 says
I 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 says
Oh great! My kids love these too! I'm so happy to hear you had fun making them.
Connie Drake says
Hi 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 says
I 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 says
I 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 says
How many holes would you poke for a 5/6 flip flop?
Tonya says
This is not your pattern...
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey 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 says
these would be perfect for adult men too
Mary Lou Barnett says
where can I find and download the pattern and instructions for the Adult size moccasins?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey 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