FREE PATTERN: Comfy Toddler Sandals

This pattern was requested by Toni, one of my new followers! She was saying that she can never find any sandal patterns for her 18-month old son...so Toni, this one's for you!

This project would be a good one for crocheters just starting to make baby booties - no fancy soles or decreasing for the toes - just basic stitches! I have included a bit of a photo tutorial to make it easier, as well.

I made these in boy colors, but with some cute girly colors, these would work great for girl's shoes too! 

This pattern fits toddlers around 18 months old - about a size 6 shoe size.

Here's the pattern:

Materials

100 yards worsted weight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice in Taupe) - color A

50 yards worsted weight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice in Barley) - color B
G (4.00mm) crochet hook
Tapestry needle
Scissors
2 buttons
Thread/needle to sew on buttons
Puffy fabric paint (optional but recommended)

Stitch Abbreviations
Ch - chain
Sc - chain
Dc - double crochet
Sl st - slip stitch
dc2tog - double crochet 2 together
sc2tog - single crochet 2 together
CA - color A
CB - color B

Stitch Explanations
dc2tog - (yarn over, insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through 2 loops) 2 times, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops.
sc2tog - (insert hook into next stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop) 2 times, yarn over and pull through all 3 loops

Notes
1. Always slip stitch loosely. When slip stitching the two soles together, you will be working in the slip stitches in the next step, and if they are too tight, it will be difficult. When slip stitching around the shoe at the very end, if you do it too tight, the shoe will cinch up and be curved inwards.
2. The numbers in the brackets are the stitch counts.

Soles
With Color B.
1: Ch 8, dc in 3rd chain from hook, dc in next, 2 dc in next, dc in next 3. [7]
2: Ch 2, turn. Dc in next, 2 dc in next, dc in next 3, 2 dc in next, dc in last. [9]
3- 10: Ch 2, turn. Dc across.
11: Ch 2, turn. Dc in next, dc2tog, dc in next 3, dc2tog, dc in last. [7]











Sc evenly around the perimeter of the rectangle until you have 55 sc's.

Repeat that with Color A so that you have 2 soles of the same size.











Stack Color A on top of Color B.

Join Color B in the top left corner of the 2 soles and slip stitch in each stitch around, going through both soles.

Fasten off, weave in ends. (To to this without showing where I fastened off, I use the tapestry needle to pull the tail from the bottom to the top, then pull it through the loop and weave it in.)








This is where it becomes different according to which sandal (left or right) you are making.

Left
Join Color A 1 stitch down from the top left corner (wider side is the top).
(Or just look at the picture :D)


1. Sc in next 41 slip stitches.























2. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each stitch across. [41]
(at this point you can take the tail from where you joined Color A and pull it tight, so you don't end up with an extra stitch)
3. Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in next 36, sc2tog. [38]
4. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each stitch across. [38]
5. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each stitch across. [38]
6-16. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 5. [5]

17. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next, sc2tog, sc in next 2. [4]
18. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next, ch 2, skip 2, sc in last. [4]
19. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next, 2 sc into ch-2 space, sc in last. [4]
Fasten off, weave in ends.

Join Color B at the base of the strap and slip stitch up the side of the strap, over the top, and back down the other side of the strap. Continue slip stitching in each sc around, and down the side of the "heel".

Fasten off, weave in ends. Sew button on.


Right

Join Color A 3 stitches down from the top right corner (wider part of the sole is at top)

(The picture explains it better than I can:D)

1. Sc in next 41. 

2. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each stitch across. [41]

(at this point you can take the tail from where you joined Color A and pull it tight, so you don't end up with an extra stitch)

3. Ch 1, turn. Sc2tog, sc in next 36, sc2tog. [38]

4. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each stitch across. [38]

5. Ch 1, turn. Sc in each stitch across. [38]

6-16. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next 5. [5]

17. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next, sc2tog, sc in next 2. [4]

18. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next, ch 2, skip 2, sc in last. [4]

19. Ch 1, turn. Sc in next, 2 sc into ch-2 space, sc in last. [4]

Fasten off, weave in ends. 

Join Color B at the base of the "heel" and slip stitch up the side. Slip stitch around the heel, up and around the strap, and down to the base. Fasten off, weave in ends. Sew button on.

The puffy fabric paint will help keep the soles less slippery - just follow the instructions on the paint.

 And there you have 'em! Hope that was what you had in mind, Toni!