16 March 2012

Flip Flop → Crocheted Flat Tutorial

I have another wonderful Pinterest inspired project today, recycling a pair of old flip flops into and adorable pair of flats. When I saw this tutorial on pinterest I was really intrigued. I just happen to have a pair of black flats that need replacing. I also happened to have cheap pair of flip flop that have only been worn to the beach like twice. This became the perfect opportunity for me to try to crochet my own pair of shoes. It was actually pretty easy. The most time consuming part was preparing the flip flip to be crocheted on.   I do have to say that soft yarn + flip flop soles = very comfortable shoes. These would be a cute edition for a spring ward robe especially if one were to make them in a  pastel  or bright and cheery color. I need more cheap flip flops....

I know it's been along time since I've shared a crocheted project with you. Unfortunately, I don't have a pattern to show exactly what I did to crochet the shoe. Fortunately, you can probably use most slipper patterns by just skipping the sole of the slipper and building the rest of the slipper on the flip flop sole.  So sorry, I don't have a pattern, but I will at least show you how to get started by preparing your flip flop to be turned into a shoe.  

First of all, you need an old and/or cheap flip flop, a yarn needle, and yarn.
Then, you need to cut the sandal off of the sole.
Next we need to take a sharp pointy object and poke holes all the way around the sole. A yarn needle might work for this, but I buy pretty dull yarn needles so mine wasn't very effective and I had to find something a little sharper. I made my holes about 1/4 inch a part and half way down the sole. The holes need to be deep enough from the top of the sole that the yarn doesn't tear through. If you are using a pattern for a slipper, be mindful of stitch count. This will dictate you many holes you need on your sole and how far apart they should be.
Now, you can put your yarn needle to use. Using the holes you already made sew a blanket stitch around the sole. Here is a good blanket stitch tutorial. This will give a nice foundation on which you can build your shoe.
Now, crochet that shoe on. I really wished I had a pattern for you, but I make things up as I go and it becomes hard to write it into a pattern. When I finished the shoe I made a chain long enough to wrap around the sole and hot glued it down around the sole to cover up where the yarn and the sole met. I think it helped to make the shoe look a little more finished. I'll probably find some cheap shoe inserts to help hid the holes and left over sandal pieces from my feet. 

113 comments :

  1. So cute! I will for sure have to try this. Thank you for the idea!

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  2. Oh my gosh! These are pretty much the coolest shoes ever! I am so going to make some of my own! Thanks for sharing! :)

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  3. Very cute! I love this idea!

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  4. These are now a favorite recycle fashion ! They are just adorable!!

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  6. Very awesome idea! I just may try this!

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  7. Have you considered using the sticky backed foam sheets as inserts? They are super cheap and would do the same thing, I think. I need to get to town to get some so I can try it!

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    1. I picked up my inserts for 50 cents a pair at Walmart, but the sticky backed foam would sound like a genius idea, and would probably make it easier for you have your inserts match your shoe color.

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  8. Sweet! I'll have to try this.
    Kathy

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  9. Was that multi-colored fur on your old flip flops?! Glad you recycled them into something so neat! I can't wait to try this! Happy to have found you and be your newest follower :o) -Sarah @ Repeat Crafter Me

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    1. Yes, it was a multi-colored fur type yarn. The flip flops rubbed my feet funny so I had to wrap something soft around them. I didn't have anything else to to with that yarn, So I figured why not. I thought it was hideous but it was comfortable.

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  10. These are FABULOUS! Thanks so much for linking up to Pinned it, Made it #10! You got the most views this week :) Pop by and grab your button.

    Jennifer
    http://findingmywayintexas.blogspot.com/

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  11. Insanely clever! I'm going to have to try these...

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  12. Missed this on Pinterest, but glad I saw it on Taking A Time Out Thursday link party! Thanks for sharing your tutorial!

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  13. So gosh darn cute!!! I am so making this when i am done with the project I am working on now! Yeah! Thanks! :)

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  14. These are so adorable! One question, are the slick? With some of the yarn being on the bottom of the sole?

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    1. They are no more slick than the flip flop itself. There is actually no yarn on the bottom of the sole. I inserted the needle halfway down the side of the sole and pushed out the top of the sole. The stitched on yarn is just along the top edge of the sole, if that makes sense. If you look at the picture were I poked the holes in the sole you can see that I didn't go through the bottom of the sole. If you have any more questions or need any help feel free to email me at acraftycook@gmail.com

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    2. Would a steel crochet work to put hole in Flip Flop? I am concern that I will break a hole. What happen then.

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  15. Too cute! Just pinned this - thanks for sharing at Mom On Timeout!

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  16. Extra cool. I need to find some old ones laying around here! thanks for sharing!

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  17. Hi there, awesome site. I thought the topics you posted on were very interesting. I tried to add your RSS to my feed reader and it a few. take a look at it, hopefully I can add you and follow.


    flip books

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  18. Very Cool Idea! I love these shoes! I am going to make some of my own! Thanks for the great idea!

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  19. I think you should wear the holes in the soles with pride. Not just anyone can make shoes out of a pair of flip flops!

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  20. What type of yarn did you use?

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    1. I just used a cheap worsted weight yarn. I think it was Red Heart Super Saver yarn. I'd imagine any 3 or 4 weight yarn would work pretty well.

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  21. Customized shoes is a good idea as a present for a birthday. You can give this with your personal touch because you are the one who will do this for them. Thanks for sharing this to us.

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  22. I'm going to make these for my daughter to wear on her choir tour this summer. They are required to wear white flats and these would be adorable! Thanks for sharing! Hope I can figure it out!

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  23. This just solved my delimna of how to attach these all crochet sandals I made for teh kids to some flip flops, great Idea, thanks....I still have a third pair to make, I think I might try it this way......

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  24. These are so cute! When I skip the sole part of the shoe pattern, how would I start to crochet it on the flip flop?

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    1. The tutorial shows how to do the blanket stitch. From there I would just join some yarn with a slip stitch where your stitch and start following the instruction to the pattern you're using.

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  25. thanks you for upload this cute n lovely crochet . :)

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  26. This is a lovely idea I can't wait for my flip flops to brake to give it a shot. You would want to use an awl or an ice pick if you have it for making those holes. Would love to know how long they last. I would think I would walk over the thread on the bottem and ruin it pretty quick, maybe a leather strip for your 1st stitch would last a bit longer. Still a great idea.

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    1. I wouldn't thing that it would wear out too fast. I don't have any yarn on the bottom of the sole making contact with the ground. If you look at the pictures you will see that when I poked my holes I poked from the side of the sole (not the bottom of the sole) through to the top of the sole. They yarn is only wrapped around that top edge of the sole. I did that so that the yarn wouldn't come in contact with the ground.

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  27. Wonderful idea!! I was looking for something like this! thanks for sharing!

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  28. Super smart, economical and ecofriendly.

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  29. This is so brilliant! I found you on Pinterest, and linked back to this page on my blog this morning. If you want to check it out: http://tinyurl.com/7dkltep

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  30. Very creative, I too am going to try to make these!

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  31. ME ENCANTA LA IDEA!!VOY HACER UN PAR DE ESTAS BADANAS

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  32. oh my word soo clever!

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  33. Thank you for pinning this great idea. I was just about to crochet another pair of slippers for my hunting son (who loves camo). He wore out the crocheted slipprrs I made for him last year and he requested another pair...but with your terrific idea I am sure they will last longer this year.

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  34. Thank you for pinning this great idea. I was just about to crochet another pair of slippers for my hunting son (who loves camo). He wore out the crocheted slipprrs I made for him last year and he requested another pair...but with your terrific idea I am sure they will last longer this year.

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  35. I did this a few days ago for my 8 year old daughter. I prepared her flip flop buy drill holes all the way through the shoe with my bench drill press. I then single crocheted all the way around the sole with the bottom of the sole facing up. I added a row of dcs next so that when I trned the shoe right side out the double crochets covered the rubber sides of the flip flop...omitting the need to hot glue the chain on. Also, instead of taking out the strap plugs I cut the two side ones way down and then used gorilla glue to put the front one back in...because it doesn't have the advantage of the extra slanted rubber like the sides do. For the top of the slipper I just followed another slipper pattern I had...omitting the sole, but following the number of crochets needed to go around the foot.
    I love this idea and it's a very comfortable shoe for my flat footed daughter. I'll be making more to give as Christmas gifts this year!

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  36. Is there any tutorial on how to make this shoes step by step?

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    1. Unfortunately, all I have is the pictures above that show how to attach the yarn to the sole for a base of something to crochet on. I didn't use a pattern for the actually crocheting. I just made it up as I went along. However, you could probably use many crochet slipper patterns on this sole, by skipping the crochet instructions for the sole of the slipper and using this sole instead. You do need to mindful of stitch count though, and how many stitches you need around the flip flop base.

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    2. May I ask a question? How many strand of yarn, do you use for blanket stitch? I use 1 but it seen like it thin. I don't want to break my holes. I'm new at this. I make a pair using the Tennis Sock sipper from Annie Attic, they came out nice.

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    3. I only use one strand of yarn.

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  37. You can use a leather neddle its curved and sharp

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  38. You can use a leather neddle its curved and sharp

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  39. I love this idea i will be doing it i was looking for soles i would crochet on but i like this better

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  40. I love this!!! You should share some links to your patterns at www.theyarnbox.com!

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  41. OK - Totally love what you have done - I have to wear something in the house and crocheted slippers wear out toooo fast. As for where to get the flip flops - let me tell you every May Old Navy has their $1 flip flop sale - and they have some of the most beautiful colors. I get them for everyone but me - this year - I'm picking out flip flops for me so I can have a nice color choice to match whatever I'm wearing - and just wear them around the house.

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  42. All you American Girl moms out there could use this technique with the thick crazy foam as the sole for doll shoes. Trace around the doll foot onto the foam, then crochet around to fit.

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    1. Did this for an American Girl doll...for people feet I would recommend using the flip flops since we actually have to walk on them!

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    2. I really want to try this project! But I need a pattern... or an idea of how to modify a pattern to start crocheting from the sole. Can anyone share a pattern they used? Thanks!

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  43. Now I can wear my flip flops FOREVER!!! lol

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  44. Amazing and brilliant! I am excited to try this. Thank you.

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  45. I just used a metal size 4 double pointed knitting needle to make my holes.
    Didnt read the part about going thru the side tho. went thru the bottom, but they are only for house slippers so they should be alright. Great way to upcycle those 1 dollar Old Navy flip flops.

    We also have a womans shelter in town where everyone needs to wear socks or slippers at all times so maybe i will donate a few pairs to them.

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  46. $1 Flip Flops at Old Navy today

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  47. I wish I lived near an Old Navy. Darn rurual area!

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  48. This is the best opinion to make our old flip-flops useful and look stylish. I will definitely use this trick with my old slippers.

    chappals for men

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  49. This is great . I bought some premade slipper soles and did not like the pattern that came with it all. This will work great. thanks

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  50. I came across this searching for boot covers, and I must say I think they look awesome. I have flipflops I was going to throw away, but not now. Thanks for the idea.

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  51. I wish there was a pattern cause these are awesome

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  52. I have flip flops but none I want to cut up. Went to Dollar Tree to buy a pair and decided to get a foam garden kneeling pad instead. I traced around the flip flops as a pattern and cut the kneeler to make the soles. Worked great and no plugs in the bottoms.

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  53. Thanks for the wonderful idea.. https://healthandhobby.wordpress.com/

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  54. Here is a link to a cute slipper pattern that would work well on these soles,it is in Russian but google translate works on it. http://postila.ru/post/15213818

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  55. How do you keep the yarn from ripping through the flip flop? I tried this a few nights ago and by the time I had done 10 rows, the blanket stitch row was starting to rip through

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  56. This was so disappointing. I am a beginner & was ready to tackle a cute more difficult project. The description implies there is a tutorial. Am I missing something?
    Thanks.

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  57. http://www.notlistening.co.uk/2013/04/mashion-meauty-no7-flip-flops-debate.html?showComment=1555439469920#c461079580698322530

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  58. An fascinating discussion is value comment. I think that it is best to write extra on this matter, it won’t be a taboo topic however generally people are not enough to talk on such topics. To the next. Cheers כפכפים ילדות נוצצות איפנמה

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  59. I think you were one of the FIRST to do this. I think this was posted almost 12-13 years ago? I wish you would get credit for it. I won't name them, but there are at least 2 people, one of them that made a big contract with a big yarn company- that pretty much used your organic idea as their own. I know this because their posts originated about 8 years ago. Such a bummer when I see that happen! I will make sure to redirect people here to see where it all began! Amazing creativity! Thanks!

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I'm sorry, but I've turned word verification on again. I hate trying to decipher the words just as much as anyone, but I'm getting way too much spam. I tried doing comment moderation as people suggested but the number or spam comments I had to sift through was ridiculous. I appreciate your comments and didn't want them to get lost among the spam. Hopefully, I can reduce the amount of spam and turn the word verification off soon.

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