EASY STEP-BY-STEP CROCHET BABY SHOE

These delightful handmade baby slippers are a perfect blend of cozy comfort and delicate style! With their cheerful white and purple (lavender) stripes, plush ribbed texture, and an elegant layered bow adorned with tiny pearls, they are sure to keep tiny toes warm and looking utterly charming. This pattern uses a straightforward construction method, making it a rewarding project for confident beginners or intermediate crocheters.

This pattern is suitable for intermediate crocheters, or adventurous beginners comfortable with basic stitches, color changes, and simple seaming.

Yarn:

• DK (Double Knit) or Light Worsted Weight yarn in:
  • Main Color (MC): White, as pictured.
  • Contrast Color (CC): Purple/Lavender, as pictured.
• Choose a soft, baby-friendly yarn that is machine washable for easy care.

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
• 5-7 small white pearls or beads (for the center of the bow, as pictured).

Gauge (Important for Sizing!):

• For the ribbed body (HDC in BLO): 16 HDC and 12 rows = 4 inches (10 cm).
• Always make a small swatch to check your gauge, as it’s crucial for the finished size of the slippers!

Size:

• Newborn to 3 months (approximately 3.75 – 4 inches / 9.5-10 cm sole length when finished).
  • To adjust for larger sizes, you will need to increase the starting chain for the sole and add more stitches/rows for the upper body (adjusting the initial chain for the upper to be longer, and increasing rows for height).

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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)
• BLO: Back Loop Only (insert hook only into the back loop of the stitch)
• FO: Fasten Off

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Pattern Instructions:

These slippers are made by first creating a flat rectangular piece for the upper, then shaping and seaming it, and finally attaching a separate sole and embellishments.

Part 1: The Main Body/Upper (Flat Piece – MC & CC)

This rectangular piece forms the ribbed, striped sides and top of the slipper. The height of the piece will be the height of the slipper, and the number of rows will determine the length around the foot.

1. Starting with Main Color (MC – White). Ch 15. (This chain determines the height of the slipper. Adjust for taller/shorter.)
2. Row 1 (RS): HDC in 2nd Ch from hook. HDC in each Ch across. (14 HDC). Ch 1, turn.
3. Row 2 (WS): HDC in BLO in each HDC across. (14 HDC). Ch 1, turn.
4. Repeat Row 2 for 12 more rows using MC. (Total of 14 rows in MC).
5. Change to Contrast Color (CC – Purple): On the last loop of the last HDC of Row 14, drop MC and pick up CC. Ch 1, turn.
6. Row 15 (CC): HDC in BLO in each HDC across. (14 HDC). Ch 1, turn.
7. Repeat Row 15 for 3 more rows in CC. (Total of 4 rows in CC).
8. Change back to Main Color (MC – White): On the last loop of the last HDC of the last CC row, drop CC and pick up MC. Ch 1, turn.
9. Row 19 (MC): HDC in BLO in each HDC across. (14 HDC). Ch 1, turn.
10. Repeat Row 19 for 10 more rows in MC. (Total of 11 rows in MC after the purple stripe).
    • Your flat piece should now have white, purple, and white stripes, with a ribbed texture. It should measure approximately 8.5-9 inches (21-23 cm) long and 4 inches (10 cm) high. FO, leaving a long tail for seaming.

Part 2: The Sole (Main Color – White)

The sole is worked in continuous rounds to create an oval shape.

1. Ch 14.
2. Round 1: HDC in 3rd Ch from hook (counts as 1st HDC). HDC in next 10 Ch. 5 HDC in last Ch. (Work around the end of the chain). Working along the other side of the starting chain: HDC in next 10 Ch. 3 HDC in the very last Ch (this is the same ch as your very first HDC). Sl St to top of beginning Ch 3 to join. (29 HDC)
3. Round 2: Ch 2 (does not count as a stitch). 2 HDC in first HDC. HDC in next 10 HDC. 2 HDC in next 5 HDC. HDC in next 10 HDC. 2 HDC in last 3 HDC. Sl St to top of beginning Ch 2 to join. (38 HDC)
4. Round 3: Ch 2. 2 HDC in first HDC. HDC in next 13 HDC. 2 HDC in next 5 HDC. HDC in next 13 HDC. 2 HDC in last 4 HDC. Sl St to top of beginning Ch 2 to join. (48 HDC)
   • This completes the sturdy sole. FO, leaving a long tail for sewing.

Part 3: The Layered Bow Embellishment (MC & CC)

Make 2 bows (one for each slipper), as pictured. This is a two-layered bow with pearls.

A. Larger Bow (Main Color – White):

1. Ch 16.
2. Row 1: DC in 4th Ch from hook (counts as 1st DC). DC in each Ch across. (14 DC). Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), turn.
3. Row 2: DC in each DC across. (14 DC). FO, leaving a long tail for assembly.

B. Smaller Bow (Contrast Color – Purple):

1. Ch 12.
2. Row 1: DC in 4th Ch from hook (counts as 1st DC). DC in each Ch across. (10 DC). Ch 3 (counts as 1st DC), turn.
3. Row 2: DC in each DC across. (10 DC). FO, leaving a long tail.

Assemble the Bow:

1. Lay the larger white rectangle flat. Place the smaller purple rectangle on top, centered.
2. Using the long tail from the smaller purple bow, pinch the center of both rectangles. Wrap the tail tightly around the pinched center a few times to cinch both rectangles and form a layered bow shape. Secure with a knot on the back.
3. Stitch the 5-7 small white pearls/beads securely to the center of the bow, covering the wrapped yarn.

Video tutorial

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Finishing Your Slipper:

1. Weave in all initial loose ends on the main body piece and the sole.
2. Seaming the Main Body:
   • Take your long flat striped piece. Fold it in half lengthwise (bringing the short ends together).
   • Using your tapestry needle and the long tail, whip stitch or mattress stitch the short ends together to form a tube/cylinder. This seam will be the center back of the slipper.
3. Shaping the Toe:
   • With the cylinder seam at the back, flatten the tube so the seam is centered.
   • Pinch the opposite end (the front/toe end). Using a tapestry needle and a new piece of MC yarn, weave the yarn through the top of the stitches along the front edge (where the toes will be). Pull tightly to gather and close the toe opening. Stitch securely to reinforce the toe.
4. Seaming the Sole:
   • Align the bottom edge of your main body cylinder with the perimeter of your crocheted sole. The seam of the body should align with the center back of the sole.
   • Using your tapestry needle and the long tail from the sole, securely whip stitch or mattress stitch the main body to the sole, working all the way around the oval. Ensure even distribution and a neat seam.
5. Attach Bow:
   • Position the completed layered bow decoratively on the front top of the slipper, over the gathered toe section, as shown in the image. Securely stitch it in place.
6. Make a Second Slipper: Repeat all steps to create a matching pair!

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And there you have it! Adorable, cozy, and handmade baby slippers with a cheerful striped design and an elegant bow! They’re sure to be a treasured item for your little one or a thoughtful gift!

Happy crocheting!