Sweet Mary Janes: Crochet Easy Baby Slippers

Looking for a quick, adorable, and beginner-friendly crochet project for a baby? These charming two-tone Mary Jane slippers are absolutely perfect! Featuring a simple construction, a lovely pop of color, and a cute little strap, they’ll keep tiny feet cozy and stylish. The best part? They’re much easier to make than they look!

This pattern is suitable for confident beginners comfortable with basic crochet stitches and seaming.

Yarn:

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted Weight yarn in two contrasting colors (e.g., White for Main Color, Pink for Contrast Color, as pictured). Choose a soft, machine-washable baby-friendly yarn like acrylic or a cotton blend.

Hook:

• 3.5 mm (US E/4) crochet hook (adjust hook size if necessary to achieve desired fabric and tension).

Notions:

• Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends
• Scissors
• 2 small decorative buttons or pearls (one for each slipper, as shown)

Gauge (Important for Sizing!):

• 18 SC and 20 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in single crochet. (Adjust hook size if necessary to achieve gauge – consistent gauge helps with accurate sizing!)

Size:

• Newborn to 3 months (approximately 3.5 – 3.75 inches / 9-9.5 cm sole length when finished).
  • To adjust for larger sizes, you will need to increase the starting chain for the sole and add more rows for both the sole and the upper sections, ensuring the strap length is adjusted accordingly.

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Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):

• Ch: Chain
• Sl St: Slip Stitch
• SC: Single Crochet
• HDC: Half Double Crochet
• DC: Double Crochet
• St(s): Stitch(es)
• FO: Fasten Off
• BLO: Back Loop Only (insert hook only into the back loop of the stitch)

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Pattern Instructions:

These slippers are worked flat in one piece, then folded and seamed.

Part 1: The Sole & Body (Main Color – White)

1. Start with Main Color (White).
2. Ch 27.
3. Row 1 (RS): SC in 2nd Ch from hook. SC in next 24 Ch. 3 SC in last Ch. (Work around the end of the chain). Now working along the other side of the starting chain: SC in next 24 Ch. 2 SC in the very last Ch (this is the same ch as your very first SC). Sl St to first SC to join. (54 SC)
   • You’ve now created an oval shape, which is the base of the sole.
4. Row 2: Ch 1 (does not count as a stitch). SC in each SC around. Sl St to first SC. (54 SC)
   • This completes the sole. Now we’ll start working up the sides.
5. Row 3: Ch 1. SC in BLO in each SC around. Sl St to first SC. (54 SC)
   • Working in the BLO creates a nice ridge separating the sole from the body of the slipper.
6. Row 4 – Row 7: Ch 1. SC in each SC around. Sl St to first SC. (54 SC)
   • You should now have 5 rows of SC worked upwards from the sole (Row 3 to Row 7).

Part 2: Shaping the Toe & Instep (Main Color – White)

Now we’ll work back and forth in rows to shape the top of the slipper.

1. Row 8 (RS): Ch 1. SC in first 18 stitches. (Do NOT Sl St to join). Turn. (18 SC)
   • You are now working only on the front section of the slipper.
2. Row 9 (WS): Ch 1. SC in first 17 stitches. Sk last SC. Turn. (17 SC)
3. Row 10 (RS): Ch 1. SC in first 16 stitches. Sk last SC. Turn. (16 SC)
4. Row 11 (WS): Ch 1. SC in first 15 stitches. Sk last SC. Turn. (15 SC)
5. Row 12 (RS): Ch 1. SC in first 14 stitches. Sk last SC. Turn. (14 SC)
6. Row 13 (WS): Ch 1. SC in first 13 stitches. Sk last SC. Turn. (13 SC)
7. Row 14 (RS): Ch 1. SC in first 12 stitches. Sk last SC. Turn. (12 SC)
   • This completes the toe shaping. You should now have 12 stitches on your hook, forming the front tip of the slipper.

Part 3: The Ankle Opening & Strap (Contrast Color – Pink)

1. Change to Contrast Color (Pink).
2. Row 15 (WS): Ch 1. SC in each of the 12 stitches. Turn. (12 SC)
   • This is the front edge of the ankle opening.
3. Row 16 (RS – Strap Row): Ch 1. SC in first 3 stitches. Ch 15 (for the strap). Turn. (3 SC + 15 Ch)
   • The 3 SC forms the beginning of the strap, and the Ch 15 creates the length of the strap.
4. Row 17 (WS – Working back on strap): SC in 2nd Ch from hook. SC in next 13 Ch. SC in next 3 SC (these are the 3 SC from Row 16). Turn. (17 SC)
5. Row 18 (RS): Ch 1. SC in each of the 17 stitches. FO Pink yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing.

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Finishing Your Slipper:

1. Weave in all initial loose ends from your color changes.
2. Seaming:
   • Lay your crocheted piece flat with the RS facing you.
   • Fold the piece in half lengthwise, bringing the two long edges together.
   • Using your tapestry needle and the long tail of pink yarn, sew the straight edge of the pink section (the 17 SC from Row 18) to the top edge of the white section, starting from the point where the toe shaping ended. You’re essentially sewing the top of the ankle opening together.
   • Now, fold the piece so the sole is at the bottom. You will have an opening at the back heel. Stitch this seam closed.
   • Refer to the image of the flat piece – you will sew the long straight edge of the toe up the front, and then the short heel edge.
3. Attach Strap:
   • Take the pink strap. Position it so it crosses over the instep of the slipper.
   • On the opposite side of the slipper, find a good spot (usually on the outside edge) where the strap comfortably reaches.
   • Securely stitch the end of the strap to the slipper.
4. Attach Button:
   • Sew your small decorative button or pearl onto the end of the strap, just above where it’s sewn to the slipper. The button will serve as a decorative element, as these slippers don’t have functional buttonholes (the strap is sewn in place).
5. Make a Second Slipper: Repeat all steps to create a matching pair!

Video tutorial

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And there you have it! Adorable, cozy, and handmade baby Mary Jane slippers. They’re quick to whip up and make fantastic gifts for baby showers or for your own little one.

Happy crocheting!