Few handmade items are as precious and practical as crochet shoes for babies. They’re soft, stylish, and perfect for keeping little toes warm and protected. Whether you’re a beginner learning your way around the hook or an experienced crocheter looking for your next project, baby shoes are a quick and charming craft that never goes out of style.
This guide will take you step-by-step through creating adorable crochet baby shoes—including materials, patterns, sizes, tips, and customizations.
👟 WHY CROCHET BABY SHOES?
- 🧵 Quick to make – Usually under 2 hours
- 💝 Perfect gift – Ideal for baby showers, newborn photos, and holidays
- 🎨 Customizable – Choose from many styles: booties, sandals, sneakers, loafers, or boots
- 👶 Comfortable – Soft yarn makes for cozy, breathable footwear
- 🌱 Eco-friendly – Reusable, washable, and handmade with love
🧶 MATERIALS NEEDED
🧵 Yarn
- Cotton or soft acrylic yarn
- DK or light worsted weight is best
- Cotton is breathable and holds shape well
- Acrylic is soft and stretchy for comfort
🪝 Crochet Hook
- 3.0 mm – 4.5 mm, depending on your yarn weight
- A smaller hook creates a tighter, more structured shoe
✂️ Other Tools
- Tapestry needle (for sewing parts and weaving ends)
- Stitch markers (optional, for tracking rounds)
- Small buttons, snaps, ribbons, or laces (optional for closures or decoration)
- Non-slip sole pads or puff fabric paint (for walkers)
📏 BABY SHOE SIZING CHART
| Age | US Size | EU Size | Sole Length |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0–3 months | 1 | 16 | 3.25″ (8.25 cm) |
| 3–6 months | 2–3 | 17–18 | 3.5″ (9 cm) |
| 6–9 months | 4 | 19 | 4″ (10 cm) |
| 9–12 months | 5 | 20 | 4.5″ (11.5 cm) |
📐 Measure the baby’s foot if possible and adjust your hook or yarn weight to match.
👣 BASIC CROCHET BABY SHOE PATTERN (UNISEX)
This is a classic slipper-style baby shoe—simple, soft, and beginner-friendly.
🪡 Part 1: Crochet the Sole
Round 1:
Ch 10 (adjust for size).
Sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (8 sc), 3 sc in last ch.
Turn and work on the other side of the chain: sc in 7, 2 sc in last. Join with sl st. (20 sts)
Round 2:
Ch 1. Sc in 8, 2 sc in next 3 sts (toe), sc in 8, 2 sc in next 2 sts (heel). Join. (26 sts)
Round 3 (Optional):
Continue increasing at the toe and heel if you want a larger sole (usually up to 30–32 sts for 6–12 months).
🧦 Part 2: Build the Upper Shoe
Round 4:
Ch 1, sc in back loop only around to form the edge. Join. (No increases)
Rounds 5–6:
Ch 1, sc in each st around. This begins shaping the sides of the shoe.
👟 Part 3: Shape the Toe
Round 7:
- Sc in 9 sts, sc2tog across next 8 sts (decreasing the toe area), sc in last 9 sts. Join.
Round 8:
Repeat decreases at the toe area for another round if needed.
Round 9:
Sc evenly around. Fasten off.
🧵 Part 4: Add Strap or Decoration (Optional)
- Mary Jane Strap: Join yarn at side, ch 10, sl st to opposite side to form strap.
- Loafer Style: Fold down top edge and add buttons or a band.
- Lace-Up Sneaker: Use yarn chain or ribbon for laces.
👟 STYLES OF CROCHET BABY SHOES
Here are a few popular styles you can try once you’re comfortable with the basic pattern:
👟 1. Sneaker-Style Baby Shoes
- Use white for soles and color for uppers
- Add tongue and chain laces
- Ideal for sporty babies!
🥿 2. Mary Jane Baby Shoes
- Rounded toe with strap across the top
- Sew on a cute button or bow
🥾 3. Boot-Style Shoes
- Extend upper rows to mid-ankle
- Add folded cuffs or ribbing
🩴 4. Summer Sandals
- Open toe and heel
- Use lighter yarn and add cute flower appliqué
🧺 FINISHING & CARE
- Weave in ends securely using a tapestry needle
- Optional: Sew in a felt or soft fabric insole
- Add puff paint dots to bottom for grip if baby is walking
🧼 Washing Tips:
- Hand wash or gentle machine cycle
- Use baby-safe detergent
- Air dry flat
💡 TIPS FOR SUCCESS
- Keep your tension even—this is key to matching shoes
- Make both shoes in one sitting to ensure symmetry
- Use stitch markers to track decreases and rounds
- Don’t overstuff with yarn—less is more for tiny feet
Video tutorial:
🧶 CONCLUSION
Crocheting baby shoes is not only adorable—it’s deeply meaningful. You’re crafting something handmade, thoughtful, and often treasured for years. With just a hook, some yarn, and a little time, you can create soft, cozy footwear to keep tiny toes warm and stylish.
From basic booties to sneaker-style kicks, the options are endless—and you can easily add your own creative flair. Once you start, you may find yourself making them in every color!
