How to crochet slippers with T-shirt yarn

These comfortable and stylish slippers feature a soft, cushioned inner sole and sturdy crossed straps, perfect for lounging around the house.

Skill Level: Intermediate Yarn:

Color A (for Inner Sole): Super Bulky (Category 6) or T-shirt Yarn (approx. 100-150 yards per pair) – Light Blue in image
Color B (for Outer Sole & Straps): Super Bulky (Category 6) or T-shirt Yarn (approx. 150-200 yards per pair) – Purple in image
A small amount of white worsted or bulky yarn for the sole edge (optional, for the white line shown) Hook:
9.0 mm (M/N) or 10.0 mm (N/P) crochet hook (or hook size needed to achieve desired fabric density for T-shirt yarn)
A smaller hook (e.g., 6.0 mm or 7.0 mm) for the sole edge if using thinner yarn. Notions: Yarn needle, scissors, stitch marker, fabric glue (optional, for securing straps).

Gauge: Not critical, but aim for a dense, firm fabric that holds its shape.

Finished Size: Adult Medium (US Women’s 7-9, Men’s 6-8). Instructions for adjusting size are included.

Abbreviations (US Terms):

ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
hdc: half double crochet
dc: double crochet
inc: increase (2 sc in the same stitch)
BLO: back loop only
st(s): stitch(es)
fo: fasten off

Pattern Notes:

The sole is constructed in two parts: an inner, flat sole (Color A) and an outer, thicker sole that forms the side walls (Color B).
The straps are worked flat and then sewn securely to the sole.
Adjust the initial chain length for the sole to fit your foot. A good rule of thumb is to chain about 2 inches shorter than your foot length.

Part 1: Inner Sole (Make 2 – 1 for each slipper, using Color A)

The inner sole is worked in oval rounds.

Starting Chain: Ch 18 (this should create a sole roughly 9-10 inches long for an adult medium. Adjust chain length for different sizes: longer for larger feet, shorter for smaller feet).

Round 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook. Sc in next 15 ch. 3 sc in last ch. Working down the other side of the chain: Sc in next 15 ch. 2 sc in last ch (this completes the oval). (36 sts)

Round 2: Inc in next st. Sc in next 15 sts. Inc in next 3 sts. Sc in next 15 sts. Inc in next 2 sts. (42 sts)

Round 3: (Sc in next st, inc) x 1. Sc in next 15 sts. (Sc in next st, inc) x 3. Sc in next 15 sts. (Sc in next st, inc) x 2. (48 sts)

Round 4 (Optional for wider feet or larger sizes): (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) x 1. Sc in next 15 sts. (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) x 3. Sc in next 15 sts. (Sc in next 2 sts, inc) x 2. (54 sts)

For a firmer, flatter sole, you can repeat your final sole round one or two more times without increases (just sc in each stitch around).

Sl st to first sc of the round. Fo. Weave in ends. Set aside.

Part 2: Outer Sole & Side Wall (Make 2 – 1 for each slipper, using Color B)

This part will create the bottom of the sole and the upward-curving sidewalls.

Starting Chain: Ch 18 (same as inner sole).

Round 1-4 (or whatever you did for Inner Sole): Work exactly as for the Inner Sole to create the flat base. (e.g., if you did 4 rounds for inner sole, do 4 rounds here). (54 sts if you did 4 rounds)

Working the Side Walls (to enclose the inner sole): Now we’ll work a few rounds into the BLO to create an upward edge, creating the base for the slipper.

Round 5: Sc in BLO around. (Number of stitches from your last sole increase round)

Round 6: Sc in BLO around.

Round 7: Sc in BLO around.

For a deeper slipper base, repeat Round 7 one or more times.

Sl st to first sc of the round. Ch 1. Do not cut yarn yet.

Part 3: Attaching Inner Sole & Creating Edge (Optional White Trim)

Now we will join the Inner Sole to the Outer Sole.

Place the Inner Sole (Color A) on top of the Outer Sole (Color B), aligning the edges. The wrong side of the Inner Sole should be facing the right side of the Outer Sole base.
With Color B still on your hook from Part 2: Working through both loops of the current round of the Outer Sole AND through the corresponding stitches of the Inner Sole (pick up stitches from both layers simultaneously), sc evenly around the entire perimeter, joining the two soles together. Sl st to first sc.
- This creates a thick, padded sole.

Optional White Edge Trim: If you want the white line visible in the image, you’ll add a surface slip stitch or a final round in white yarn.

Using White Yarn: Join white yarn with a sl st to any stitch on the top edge of the sole (where Color A and Color B meet).
Ch 1. Sc or sl st evenly around the top edge, going into the stitches created when you joined the two soles. (A slip stitch will be more subtle, a single crochet will be more defined).
Sl st to first stitch. Fo. Weave in ends.

Part 4: The Cross Straps (Make 4 – 2 for each slipper, using Color B)

These straps are worked flat and then shaped. The stitch appears to be standard single crochet, creating a dense, ribbed texture often seen with T-shirt yarn.

Starting Chain: Ch 10 (this will give you a strap width of about 3-4 inches. Adjust as desired).

Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across. (9 sc). Ch 1, turn.

Rows 2-15 (or until desired length): Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn.

The length of the strap needs to be long enough to reach across your foot and be sewn to the sides of the sole. For an adult medium, approximately 6-8 inches of length will be needed per strap. You might need more or fewer rows.
Test it by holding the strap over your foot to see if it reaches the side edges of your sole.

Fo, leaving a very long tail (at least 15-20 inches) for sewing.

Part 5: Assembly

This is the most crucial part for shaping the slipper.

Mark Strap Placement on Sole:
- Place the sole down with the toe pointing up.
- Find the approximate center of the sole at the toe end.
- Place a stitch marker or pin on each side of the sole, roughly 1-1.5 inches back from the toe tip (where the straps will begin).
- Place another set of markers/pins further back, towards the arch/mid-foot, on each side of the sole. These will be where the straps cross and attach.
Attach First Strap:
- Take one strap. Center one end of the strap over one of the front-side markers near the toe.
- Using your yarn needle and the long tail, securely sew this end of the strap to the sole. Stitch through both the strap and the sole layers, making sure the stitches are strong and hidden.
- Angle the strap diagonally across the foot towards the opposite side’s back-side marker (so if you started on the left front, angle towards the right back).
- Sew this end securely to the sole.
Attach Second Strap:
- Take the second strap. Center one end of this strap over the other front-side marker near the toe (where the first strap did not start).
- Sew this end securely to the sole.
- Angle this strap diagonally across the foot, crossing over the first strap, towards its opposite side’s back-side marker.
- Sew this end securely to the sole.
Secure the Cross-Over:
- Where the two straps cross in the middle of the slipper, use your yarn needle to sew them together with a few strong stitches. This will keep them from gapping. You can also add a dab of fabric glue between them for extra security if desired.
Repeat for the Second Slipper: Follow steps 1-4 for the second slipper. Ensure the straps are angled symmetrically so you have a left and a right slipper.