Hello darlings,
I have been crocheting for years and consider myself an experienced crocheted. However, there are still some things that I haven't been able to accomplish to my utter frustration. That's the case with baby shoes crochet patterns! I know, silly right? How these small little things can be more difficult than this blanket? I don't know! It's just one (of many) things I couldn't master! I mean I tried my hand on lots of patterns. Most of them were really well written and detailed too. But somehow I always ended up with shoes that didn't look like ...well shoes!
So I decided to stop reading patterns and start testing my free hand crocheting skills. And it worked! It really did! I made the cutest baby shoe I've ever made! Yes, I made ONE shoe. Now I needed to make the second one (preferably identical to the first). I did scribble some notes along the way of the first so thankfully I had something to go on. And here they are! Do you think they are cute (or am I just overwhelmed that they resemble shoes that I just thing they are)?
*3.0mm hook
I used a very soft variegated cotton baby yarn in lilac and white. You can probably use any kind of yarn suitable for babies though.
For the bows I used a solid color cotton yarn
Pair of scissors
I've written down the pattern to share with you. However I need to state some things beforehand. First of please be kind. I did test the pattern in a second set of shoes (the one in magenta color you'll see in the step by step photos) but I didn't have any other tester, so if you find any mistake please let me know. Secondly I can't take full credit for this pattern since I am pretty sure all the patterns I've read in my tries before this have somehow found their way into this pattern. So if you recognize a piece or two from another (free) pattern you are correct. Lastly, I only made this for a 0-3 months size, I am pretty sure that if you use a larger hook and thicker yarn and increase the foundation chain you can make other sizes too.
This pattern is written in US crochet terms
Ch: chain
Hdc: half double crochet
Dc: double crochet
Trc: treble crochet
Sl st: slip stitch
Blo: back loop only
Tog: together
MC: magic circle
Shoe sole
This part is worked in the round but I've written it in rows since I honestly found it to be easier to follow.
Row 1: Ch 15 and turn
R2: Hdc in the 2nd ch from hook, hdc to the next 12 ch, 3hdc in the last ch. Don't turn, you will be working in the other side of your foundation chain.
R3: Hdc in the first ch of the other side of your foundation chain. Hdc in the next 12 ch, 2hdc in the last ch. Don't turn. (You will continue in this spiral way for the sole of the shoe.)
R4: Hdc in the first st, 2 hdc in the second, hdc in the next 12 sts, 2hdc in the next st, hdc in the next
R5: 2hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 13 sts, 2hdc in the next st, hdc in the next
R6: 2hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 14 sts, 2 hdc in the next, hdc in the next,
R7: 2hdc in the first st, hdc in the next 13. You should have a total of 38 stitches all around. Continue to shoe sides without cutting off the yarn.
Shoe sides
This is also worked in the round but this time I've written it as such.
Round 1: hdc in blo in all 38 stitches.
Round 2-3: hdc around. Continue to shoe top without cutting off the yarn.
Shoe top
Round 1: hdc in the first 14 st and ch4. Now do a cluster stitch made of 1trc in blo in each of the following 13 sts together (trc13tog blo) you should have 14 loops in your hook, yarn over, pull through, ch3 and hdc in the next st of the shoe side. Hdc in the next 8 sts, sl st in the last st to complete the round.
Round 2: Sl st in the next 13 sts, ch7 and sl st on the other side of the shoe 2 sts after the ch3 hdc point. Cut the yarn and weave in the ends.
Bow
MC, ch3, 3dc, ch3, sl st in the mc ch3, 3dc, ch3, sl st in the mc, pull through a long tail of yarn and cut. Wrap the yarn in the middle to form a bow and saw it on the shoe top.
And in case you're wondering why I choose to photo-shoot these cute little girl baby shoes with this Viking play-mobile as background, the answer is simple:
Every warrior princess deserves a pair of cute shoes!
Doesn't she?
Let me know if you try out the pattern. I really want to know if my pattern-writing skills have improved over time :)
For a list of my other free crochet patterns click here.
