Whether you’re making tiny newborn slippers or a sturdy pair for a cruising crawler, you’ll find the exact sole size you need right here!
Why is a good sole important?
- Comfort: A well-shaped sole provides a comfortable base for little feet.
- Fit: The correct sole length ensures the shoe isn’t too tight or too loose.
- Structure: A firm sole helps the finished shoe hold its shape.
Ready to Crochet Your Foundations?
- Skill Level: Beginner-Friendly. If you know how to do a single crochet, you can make these!
- Yarn Choice: Choose any soft baby yarn. Cotton, acrylic, or blends in Sport (#2) or DK (#3) weight are excellent choices. The soles in the image are a lovely pink.
- Hook Size: This is the most critical factor for achieving the correct size! Have a few hooks on hand (e.g., 3.0mm, 3.5mm, 4.0mm) to adjust for your tension and yarn.
- Gauge: Your tension will directly impact the final length. Always measure your finished sole!
Materials You’ll Need:
- Baby yarn (any color, approximately 10-20g per sole)
- Crochet hook (recommended sizes above, adjust as needed)
- Stitch markers (essential for marking increases!)
- Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
- Scissors
- Measuring tape or ruler
Crochet Language Decoder (Abbreviations):
- ch: chain
- st(s): stitch(es)
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
- [ ]: repeat instructions within brackets
- ( ): number of stitches at the end of the round
General Tips for Sole Construction:
- Starting Chain: This determines the length of the sole.
- Working Around: You’ll work stitches down one side of your starting chain, then around the end, and back up the other side.
- Increases: Increases are strategically placed at the ends of the sole to create the oval shape.
- Stitch Markers: Use markers to denote the stitches where you consistently place your increases. This will make your life much easier!
- Measure as You Go: After each round, lay your sole flat and measure it to ensure you’re on track for the desired length. Adjust your hook size if your sole is coming out too big or too small.
The Patterns: Crochet Baby Shoe Soles for Every Age!
Here are the patterns for the different sole sizes, corresponding to the lengths and ages shown in the image:
1. Newborn (0 months) – Approx. 8 cm / 3.15 inches
- Ch 10.
- Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 7 ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the starting chain: Sc in next 7 ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (20 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 1 (does not count as st). Inc in first st. Sc in next 7 sts. Inc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 7 sts. Inc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first sc. (26 sts)
- Fasten off. Weave in ends.
2. 0-3 Months – Approx. 9 cm / 3.5 inches
- Ch 12.
- Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 9 ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the starting chain: Sc in next 9 ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (24 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 1. Inc in first st. Sc in next 9 sts. Inc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 9 sts. Inc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first sc. (30 sts)
- Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in first st. Inc in next st. Sc in next 9 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 3 times. Sc in next 9 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (36 sts)
- Fasten off. Weave in ends.
3. 3-6 Months – Approx. 10 cm / 3.9 inches
- Ch 14.
- Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 11 ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the starting chain: Sc in next 11 ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (28 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 1. Inc in first st. Sc in next 11 sts. Inc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 11 sts. Inc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first sc. (34 sts)
- Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in first st. Inc in next st. Sc in next 11 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 3 times. Sc in next 11 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (40 sts)
- Fasten off. Weave in ends.
4. 6-9 Months – Approx. 11 cm / 4.3 inches
- Ch 16.
- Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 13 ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the starting chain: Sc in next 13 ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (32 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 1. Inc in first st. Sc in next 13 sts. Inc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 13 sts. Inc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first sc. (38 sts)
- Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in first st. Inc in next st. Sc in next 13 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 3 times. Sc in next 13 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (44 sts)
- Fasten off. Weave in ends.
5. 9-12 Months – Approx. 12 cm / 4.7 inches
- Ch 18.
- Rnd 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 15 ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working along the other side of the starting chain: Sc in next 15 ch. 2 sc in last ch. Join with sl st to first sc. (36 sts)
- Rnd 2: Ch 1. Inc in first st. Sc in next 15 sts. Inc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 15 sts. Inc in last 2 sts. Join with sl st to first sc. (42 sts)
- Rnd 3: Ch 1. Sc in first st. Inc in next st. Sc in next 15 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 3 times. Sc in next 15 sts. [Sc in next st, Inc in next st] 2 times. Join with sl st to first sc. (48 sts)
- Fasten off. Weave in ends.
Video tutorial
Tips for Success:
- Consistency is Key: Try to maintain a consistent tension throughout your work for an even sole.
- Measure! Measure! Measure! Don’t skip this step. The final length is what matters for fit.
- Don’t Be Afraid to Adjust Your Hook: If your sole is consistently too large or too small, go up or down a hook size.
- Blocking (Optional but Recommended): For a perfectly flat and neat sole, you can gently wet your finished sole and pin it to shape on a foam board or towel, allowing it to dry completely.
Now you have a perfect foundation for all your baby shoe projects! Use these soles to create anything from simple booties to elaborate Mary Janes.
Happy crocheting!
