Cotton yarn and a rubber sole make this free crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern perfect for wearing around the house (or even outside!)
View the entire free pattern and video tutorial below or purchase the printable, ad-free pdf with hole poking guide here.
This free crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern is a collaboration with Lion Brand Yarn. This post contains affiliate links.
UPDATE: This pattern has been super popular since I published the original version last May. Many of you have requested a video tutorial for these crochet slippers with flip flop soles, so today I’m really happy to have a totally revised and updated version of the pattern that includes a step-by-step video tutorial.
In this version, I’ve updated the toe top section of the pattern, re-written some details for clarity AND added a printable ruler to the ad-free PDF of the pattern to guide your hole poking.
(If you just want the original crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern though, don’t fret, you can still find it for free here!)
Many readers have asked how these crochet slippers 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.
Without further ado, here’s the original blog post with the updated free crochet slippers with flip flop soles pattern and new video tutorial below. And if you’re interested, you can find all the free flip flop crochet patterns I’ve shared since making this first pair, right here.
Guys, I’m so excited to share this pattern. I hope you love making crocheted slippers with a legit, flip flop sole as much as I did. When I originally stumbled across these crocheted boots made by Croche Da Alessandra, the idea for some flip-flop-based summer slippers wedged in my brain and refused to shake loose until I just made the things.
Until about a week ago, I’ve been wearing some felted knit slippers my mom made me. They’re AMAZING. But now that it’s officially spring, they’re becoming a little less practical with each tick of the thermometer.
So if, like me, you prefer to keep your feet covered when you’re shuffling around the house, but you find warm weather to be less than slipper-compatible, these are for you! (And if you’re the free-wheeling type that prefers not to have your toes covered at all during the summer months, check out all my other free crochet patterns instead.)
These crocheted slippers with flip flop soles let in a lovely breeze with each step, thanks to the slightly open weave and breathable Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton yarn. The flip flop (or “thong” if you live in certain parts of the world) sole makes these a little more substantial than regular crocheted slippers and perfectly grippy to scoot around your house.
These even work well as crocheted shoes to wear outside. They might just be the most comfortable pair of shoes you’ve ever worn. (And don’t they look a bit like Toms?)
The ad-free PDF now includes a printable ruler to help guide your hole poking. This little bonus is super helpful in achieving the gauge and ensuring that you don’t have too many or too few stitches around your flip flop sole. (Regardless of the size you’re making–isn’t that magic?!)
You can purchase the PDF of this pattern with the ruler here on LoveCrafts.com or here on Etsy.
Related: 30+ Free Crochet Top Patterns for Warm Weather
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 →
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!
Summer Crochet Slippers with Flip Flop Soles – Free Pattern
Purchase the printable, ad-free PDF with hole poking ruler here on LoveCrafts.com or here on Etsy.
Add this pattern to your Ravelry favorites here.
Pin this pattern for later here.
Sizes:
This pattern works well for women’s sizes 6-10, but you can easily add or eliminate a row to the top section to make it longer or shorter for other sizes.
Abbreviations (US Terms):
ch – chain
cluster – 4 dc in one stitch
half cluster – 2 dc in one st
dc – double crochet
sk – skip
sl st – slip stitch
sc – single crochet
st(s) – stitch(es)
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 yards) Color: Mint
• 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 the printable pattern or a 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
• Stitch markers
• Strong glue such as E6000 to glue strap plugs to sole (optional)
Gauge:
7.5 sc = 2”
12 rows = 2”
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!
• Left and right shoes are identical.
• Similar to some ballet flats, your slippers should curl in a bit. That’s what gets them to shape to your feet without a lot of increasing or decreasing. They will stretch out slightly with wear.
• The slipper sides and heel are worked in a spiral, so you will not ch 1 at the beginning of each round.
• 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.
Related: 30+ Free Crochet Dress Patterns: Beginner to Advanced
Slipper Sides and Heel
Notes:
• The shoes are 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.
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. (See photo above with the hole poking ruler.) Save the rubber plug from the strap between your toes to glue in later.
If you’re using the printable ruler, trim and tape the pieces together and tape ruler around flip flop sole. With your sharp instrument, poke holes in each dot on the ruler. (See photo above the pattern.) Alternatively, use a measuring tape to poke holes slightly more than .25″ apart around the sole. Pierce the hole at an angle from about the middle of the way down the sole to approximately .25” into the top of the sole. Reference the video tutorial for help.
Tie slip knot around smaller hook. Insert hook at back of heel (6:00 position) from the top of the flip flop toward the bottom of the sole, grabbing the yarn and pulling through to the top of the flip flop and through the slip knot to attach the yarn to the flip flop. Crochet over the tail of this yarn as you work Round 1.
Round 1: Continuing with smaller hook, sc in each hole around sole, join with a sl st to first sc. Do not turn. Place marker in first st of round and move it up as you work each round (or just keep track of which sole hole you began in).
Rounds 2-9: With larger hook, sc in each sc around sole. Do not turn.
Remove marker. Place stitch markers at 4:00 and 7:00 positions. This is where the back heel “lip” of your slipper will taper to.
Do not turn work, continue with the rest of row 9.
Row 9 cont: Sc in each sc until 1 st remains before next marked st, sl st in next sc, turn. (See photo below.)
To make heel taper appear smoother, keep working yarn toward the inside of shoe when starting Rows 10-13. (See 8:25 mark of video tutorial for example.)
Row 10: Ch 1, sk first sl st, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc until 1 st remains before next marked st, sl st in next sc, turn.
Rows 11-12: Ch 1, sk first sl st, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc until 3 stitches remain before next marked st, sl st in next sc, turn.
Row 13: Ch 1, sk first sl st, sl st in next sc, sc in each sc to back of the heel, sl st in next sc. Fasten off.
Do not weave in end. You’ll work over this tail later.
Slipper Top
Notes:
• Cluster = 4 dc in one st
• Half Cluster = 2 dc in one st
• In rows 2-5, the clusters are worked between the two middle dc of the cluster in the previous row.
• Reference video tutorial or chart above for visual explanation.
Find the approximate midpoint of the front of the slipper. Place stitch markers at the 1:00 and 11:00 positions with 11 sc between them. (See “clock” photo at top of pattern.)
Join yarn in 11:00 marked st. (Left handed crocheters, join in 1:00 marked st and reverse mentions of “right” and “left.”) Weave in the tail from attaching yarn now before this section is worked.
Row 1: With the toe facing toward you, (sk 3 sc, cluster in next sc) 2 times, skip 3 sc, sl st in next marked st, sl st in next 3 sc of Rnd 9 (up left edge of slipper), turn. (2 clusters) (See photo below.)
Row 2: Cluster in center of each of next 2 clusters, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, sl st in next 3 sc (up right edge of slipper), turn. (2 clusters)
Row 3: Half cluster in sl st where Row 2 joined Rnd 9, cluster in center of each of next 2 clusters, half cluster in last sl st of Row 1, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, sl st in next 3 sc (up left edge of slipper), turn. (2 clusters and 2 half clusters)
Row 4: Cluster in sl st where Row 3 joined Rnd 9, cluster in center of each of next 2 clusters, cluster in last sl st of Row 2, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, sl st in next 3 sc (up right edge of slipper), turn. (4 clusters)
Row 5: Cluster in center of each of next 4 clusters, skip 2 sc in Rnd 9, sl st in next sc of Rnd 9 to join, do not turn. (4 clusters)
Round 6: Sc in each st around entire shoe, do not turn. (See photo J.) (Crochet over yarn tail at heel as you work.)
Round 7: Sc in each sc around heel stopping once you reach the slipper top section, sl st 1 into edge of top.
Fasten off and weave in end. Repeat pattern with second flip flop sole. Tap your toes together, smile and run around your house because you just made your own crochet slippers with flip flop soles!
That was so fun! Now what?
Invitation to our Facebook group
Come discuss crocheting flip flop slipper 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?
- Crochet Boots With Flip Flops Soles
- Free Crochet Ugg Boot Pattern
- Chukka Crochet Slipper Boots with Flip Flop Soles
- Crochet Moccasins Shoes
- Crochet Beach Shoes Pattern
- Crochet Festival Boots Pattern
- Crochet Boat Shoes Slippers (for kids)
Now that your toes are comfy, you might enjoy these free crochet patterns:
Cocoon Cardigan — free crochet pattern made with two simple rectangles!
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Shirley says
Much discussion and so many love these slippers. That’s enough to make a lot of us sit up and try this pattern. This is probably the #BestIdeaEver! Thank you for designing these.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I hope you enjoy it, Shirley! Thanks for your kind words. 🙂
Jess
Jane says
I am looking forward to trying this fun project
Alta Van Wyngaard says
Please I want patterns of these flip flops? I havr osteoarthritis in the feet and think this will do wobders to my feet. I can’t crochet but am willing to learn.
many thanks and have blessed day
Alta
Robin says
I have another question about the toe part. I understand the instructions but the issue is the stitches. So if I am placing the markers 10 stitches apart, and the fist cluster is the…….
“attach the yarn at the right marker, sk 1 sc from the marked stitch and sl st into next sc (left of the marker) , ch 2, sl st back into sc where right marker is, 2 hdc in same sc you began in (cluster made)”
Then the next 2 clusters are made by skipping 2 sc and making 3 hdc in the 3rd stitch, is that correct? If so you can’t skip 2 more sc at the end to sl st into the left marker, that will go past the left marker?
Very confused on that part only’
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Robin,
The first actual stitch (in the form of the ch 2) is going in one st to the left of the marker, which I don’t think was very clear how I had it written. Thanks for pointing that out. I’ve revised it up above, but here is it sort of “drawn” out as best I can with my keyboard. I hope this helps 🙂
(Left marked stitch) (sk) (cl) (sk) (sk) (cl) (sk) (sk) (cl) (Right marked stitch–start here)
Thanks for your feedback!
Jess
Robin Howell says
Thank you. I will look at the revised pattern. 🙂
Robin Howell says
Thank you so much for rewording this. I understand much better now. I am working on my 2nd shoe of my 2nd pair.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thank you so much for the feedback, Robin! I am so happy to hear that! I always aim to be as clear as possible, but I really appreciate readers like you who point out where I can improve a pattern.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Dawn says
Can you tell me if you have come out with the pattern for men’s slippers yet?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Dawn,
I haven’t yet, but I have some men’s flip flops in my craft room that are just waiting to be transformed! If you’d like to subscribe in the box on the sidebar or above this comment area, I’ll send an email once I’ve published the free pattern for them.
Thanks for your question!
Jess
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
What a wonderful story, Angie! I was thinking the same thing when I started to notice mine getting a little dirty. At first I was bummed, and then I just thought–it’s just another crochet opportunity to make a new project! 🙂
How awesome that you can make your own shoes now for a couple bucks using supplies you already own. That is the best!
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Michele Van Brabant says
I ordered the pdf but did not get page 4 when I printed it. Now can’t find original to print it.Is there anyway you could send it to me
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Michele,
I just emailed you 🙂
Michele says
Yes got it. Thanks so much for your quick response! Made a pair today . An awesome pattern!
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
So happy to hear that, Michele! Hope it was fun 🙂
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
What an awesome idea, Donna!
Tess says
I’m confused as to why my SC looks so much different then yours on these shoes. I’ve been crocheting for 30 years, so I know what a sc should look like and mine is not as loose as yours.
Any way you have a video for this pattern?
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
I am working on a video, Tess, and I hope to have it up soon 🙂
A Bee says
Less holes around the sole and crochet *tightly*. That’s what gave mine that sort of see-through holey look like the pattern photos.
My first try I placed the holes 1/4″ apart and just used [my] regular tension, and it was coming out a clunky mess. Second try I went 5/16″ apart and really tightened up my tension. (Except for that first row of sc’s into the actual flip flop. I left that loose-ish.)
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Thanks for sharing what worked for you, A bee! I know it will help others out too.
Beth says
HI…I have went through all the comments to get help with row 9, but your answers are somewhat different for all three. Can you please explain it clearly for me? Thank you so much
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Beth,
In row 9, your single crocheting until you get to the back of the heel where you started. At that point, you pause, put stitch markers in the appropriate places and then continue sc in the same direction you were working (called row 9 cont in the pattern) until you get to the stitch marker, where you complete the end of row 9 cont. At that point, you turn the slipper and head back in the other direction (row 10) toward the heel and eventually the other stitch marker.
Hope that helps.
Jess
Liz says
Finished my first flip flop slipper. I’m making a pair for my daughter who is 6’2″ so has long feet of size 12. It took a couple of times of creating and taking apart but, I think I got it.
Thanks.
Liz
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
So awesome, Liz! I love how customizable these are. My mom wears a size 11 and just made a cute pair as well.
Happy crocheting!
Jess
Gail says
I have a different problem, I have small feet and wear like a size 5 shoe. Any ideas on how to make these smaller? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Jess @ Make and Do Crew says
Hey Gail,
Check out the “notes” section above for a few ideas! I think doing the pattern as is but maybe skipping the final row in the “top” section would work fine.
Happy crocheting!
Jess