The same Grandma who taught me to knit also taught me to crochet. And I can not express enough how grateful I am for this skill. If you can neither knit nor crochet and would like to learn I would recommend starting with crochet. It is just so easy. No stitches to drop or long needles holding hundreds of stitches. Just one hook, one loop and a handful of basic stitches and you are away.
I rekindled my crochet skills about 15 years ago when I lived in Wanaka for the winters and made ‘beanies’ to fit snugly under my snowboarding helmet. Crocheting was a great way to endure the long cold nights in front of the fire. These days I have honed my skills to make baby booties and hats. And with a whisper of winter in the air I wanted to make my son Teo (16 months) a pair of snugly slippers he can wear around the house. Not all of our floors are insulated (yet) and the poor wee guy is the closest to the ground. At least I can keep his feet warm.
As Teo is still a little wobbly on his feet I wanted the soles to have some sticking ability. I knew wool soles would be too slippery on our rimu floors. We had several pairs of baby slippers with sheepskin soles so set out to replicate these. I headed to our local sheepskin shop (we do live in the land of the sheep down here), and right there next to the counter was a box of 2nd’s sheepskin innersoles (adult size) at $4 a pair. Perfect. Once home I made a game out of drawing around our feet so I could get the imprint of Teo’s foot. I then made a cutout of his foot, making it a uniform shape (no left and right, just one shape for both feet) and adding a 5mm (1/4 inch) buffer to account for the holes. I traced this onto to the sheepskin (getting two little soles out of one adult inner sole) and cut it out. And as the fur was quite long I trimmed this back a little to remove some of the bulk.
The next conundrum was how to make the holes in the suede soles. The lady at the sheepskin shop told me I would need a leather punch that would cost a minimum $50.00. Not convinced this was my only option I headed to Spotlight to look for a hand punch (pictured above). I was told at the store it wouldn’t be strong enough (the packet stated it was for making confetti) and I tossed up whether to spend $11.00 on potentially something that wouldn’t work. But sheepskin suede is quite soft so I threw caution to the wind and took the chance. As I prepared to make my first hole I braced myself for failure… it worked, popping through the suede with no effort at all. So I got popping, spacing the holes approx. 5mm apart and 3mm from the edge (38 holes in total in each sole). I wasn’t too strict about this, just making sure they were evenly spaced.
Then I started crocheting. Now I have to be honest here, I did struggle with the pattern. At first I tried making them with my rather limited knowledge and every time I got as far as shaping the top of the foot I got stumped. After several many attempts I was starting to wonder if I would make the boots in time for winter (there was lots of eye rolling from my other half). Enter the power of Goggle and I came across these rain boots that looked similar to what I was trying to achieve but with a separate crocheted sole. Bingo, I would skip the sole and crochet straight onto the sheepskin soles.
Crochet Slipper Boots with a Sheepskin Sole
Below is the pattern I followed. I adapted it a little to the original rain boot to fit my sons foot. If you know the basic crochet stitches (single crochet and half double crochet) you will be able to make these. I have included several links to YouTube videos for instructions on some of the stitches.
Please note: As the number of holes will be different for each individual foot (I made 38 holes in each sole), I haven’t added the exact stitch numbers instead the instructions for shaping the top of the foot. The pattern that follows can be applied to a slipper boot with a sole length of 11 – 13cm. If you want to make these for bigger feet you will need to experiment with the number of single crochet rows at the base, and the repeats in the shaping pattern. For example, I also made a pair for my 3-year-old daughter (15cm length/ 42 holes in the sole) and added an extra row of single crochet at the base of the slipper (3 rows in total). These are quick to make so if you have to undo a few rows it is not a biggie to get the right fit. Next up will be an adult size pair for me.
You will need:
50g ball 8ply wool – I doubled up two x 4 ply balls of reused wool
3mm hole punch (I used Fiskars Soft Grip Hand Punch)
4mm crochet hook for crocheting onto the base
5mm crochet hook
Abbreviations:
SC = single crochet
CH = crochet chain
HDC = half double crochet (watch here)
HDC2tog = half double crochet two together (watch here)
( )x 3 = repeat 3 times.
Attach sole:
Row 1: Hold the sheepskin sole so the fur is facing up. Starting at the middle of the heel, SC into each hole of the sheepskin sole. You want to end up with a pattern as on the bottom of the boot pictured above. To achieve this: with a loop on the hook, poke the crochet hook through the hole, yarn over then pull the loop and hook through the hole (you will now have two loops on the hook), yarn over and pull the yarn through both loops. Repeat all the way round. Finish with a slip stitch to join the row. CH 1.
Row 2: SC into both of the loops on top of the furry side of the sole. Working round. Slip stitch to join the row. CH 1.
Row 3: SC entire row. Slip stitch to join the row. CH 1. (Note: If making a bigger slipper add an extra row or two of SC here to accommodate bigger toes.)
Top of foot shaping pattern: Note the exact number of stitches to the toe will vary for each individual slipper. I single crochet (SC) to just before the curve of the toe begins then count out the number of stitches I need to disperse evenly over the toe. i.e. 14 stitches for row 4.
Row 4: SC to curve of toe. (HDC2tog, 1HDC)x4, HDC2tog. SC to end of row. Join with a slip stitch. CH 1.
Row 5: SC to curve of toe. (HDC2tog, 1HDC)x3, HDC2tog. SC to end of row. Join with a slip stitch. CH 1.
Row 6: SC to curve of toe. (HDC2tog, 1HDC)x3, HDC2tog. SC to end of row. Join with a slip stitch. CH 1.
Row 7: SC to curve of toe. (HDC2tog, 1HDC)x2, HDC2tog. SC to end of row. Join with a slip stitch. CH 1.
Ankle:
Row 8-10: HDC entire row. Join with a slip stitch. CH 1.
Row 11: SC entire row. Join with a slip stitch and fasten off.
Tidy up loose ends and you are ready to wear. Good luck, I would love to hear if you make these or something similar. And please comment below if you have any queries about the pattern. This is my first time writing a crochet pattern so hoping it all makes sense.
P.S. In case you are wondering, yes the soles are pink. That is what you get when you buy 2nd’s. Though I suspect they won’t be pink for long.
Save
oh these are sweet. I made a similar adaption to a pattern last winter and put sheepskin soles onto this multi colour granny slipper pattern http://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet/Multi-Color-Granny-Slippers-from-Bernat I love them, so cosy!
Thanks Sam. I will check out this pattern.
I was very interested to see the slipper boots. I made some exactly the same, about 20 years ago, for my first grandchild. I still have one in my sewing box, as a pattern in case I make another one sometime. They worked very well because they didn’t slip on the floors.
Hi Prue, I am sure I am not the first person to make these booties. I know, the suede sole is awesome to keep the toes warm and not slipping. I think I will make these every year as my children grow as they are very easy to adapt the sizing.
I’ve just started a pair for my 2 year old daughter. I’ve seen these slippers at the market. In Canada, there’s a handmade brand dialled Padraig slippers. Love then but always thought I could make them myself. Planning to crochet a flower to stitch on top! Thanks for the inspiration!
The flower sounds lovely on the top. Happy crocheting 🙂
I am in canada as well and I am having trouble funding sheepskin for the soles. Where did you get yours?
Hi Melinda, I actually live in New Zealand (I studied and lived in Canada 10 years ago) and got mine from a local sheepskin store – we have a lot of sheep in New Zealand! Sorry I can’t be more help with sourcing sheepskin. Maybe if you ask your local wool store or online wool shop?
I live outside Vancouver. I buy my soles at MICHAELS craft shops or my local knitting store in the motions section.
Hi Melinda,
I also live in Canada and I just bought some sheepskin sheerling from Halford’s. They have an online store if you would like to check it out http://www.halfordsmailorder.com . They also sell the Padraig Slippers there, which is what led me to this page. I too thought I could make them myself with a little guidance and with them selling for $36 and up, I know I can make them myself for less. 🙂 Hope this helps.
These ar darling! I am just beginning a pair for my nearly two year old, then on to an adult pair for my sisters Christmas pressie! Thanks for the guidance. 🙂
Did you end up making an adult version? Would love a bigger pattern! Just gorgeous!
HI Jenny, not yet. It is Summer in New Zealand now so won’t try again for a few more months. I think you could use the same concept with adding extra rows to accommodate bigger feet. Good luck.
Thank you ! I had been struggling with this for a few days now. You helped me figure it all out just in time for the holidays.
I love the Padraig boots available but I thought I can easily make my own! You just saved me the time of figuring out a pattern. It is all here for us. Thanks for sharing it with us fellow do it yourselfers! 🙂
Thanks Jenni, I hope they come out well for you. It is summer hear now but I am looking forward to making the next size up for my children this winter.
Hi Nicola, I was just wondering what you do with the ones your children have grown out of? Thanks!
I was just looking at the red ones today and wondering whether to give them away… will check with friends & family first as they may have their eye on them!
hi love, im originally from shetland I can knit but not sure about crochet its surely/ hopefully in my blood. fingers crossed.. very excited to make some been trying to learn how to do it for 10 odd years so my plan is now or never thank you for taking the time to post pattern. very excited to subscribe follow you . my mum and my step dad visit nz a lot they have just been to nelson. I hope to visit nz someday too x x x any who question how much grams of wool do you recon Id need for uk size 9 feet think its European 43?? size ???? thanks for your time love and light xx
Where did you find the sheepskin?
Love this post!!!!!!! It has came in handy.
Thank you so much for sharing this pattern/idea with us! I made my first pair yesterday and I love them! Many more to go, with different stitches and colours possibilities are endless! 🙂
These are adorable, How would they fare on wooden floors? Do you think a beginner could make them? (never crocheted before).
Hi Chelsea, They are perfect for wooden floors that is why I made them with the sheepskin sole. No slipping for little walking feet. They are relatively easy to make but you would need some basic crochet skills, if you have a friend who crochets you could ask them to help get you started.
Thanks Nicola! Did you get the sheepskin from the Sheepskin and Footwear Factory shop in Nelson?
Hi Chelsea, yes correct I did. They had a bin of seconds by the counter. I just cut them out to fit.
You crochet and knit as well? SO glad I found this blog! 🙂
Hi Nicola, I made an adult pair based on this pattern – thanks so much for the inspiration! It was only the third thing I’ve crocheted after teaching myself earlier this year so It was a bit of trial and error, but I got there in the end 🙂 I’m making a pair for my sister now!
Hi,
Currently visiting NZ this month, do you know of any local stores where I could get cheap soles like the ones you used. Currently in Whangaparaoa area 🙂
Hi Laura, sorry I only know of the place in Nelson. Maybe try googling the area you are in and sheepskin stores?? Good luck!
No worries, I ended up going to the warehouse and bought a small sheepskin rug that im going to cut up 🙂
From your post, I got the idea of making an adult pair. I fiddled a bit with rows and number of stitches, but they turned out pretty good, thanks , The Padraig slippers mentioned in previous posts, has a leather sole with a smaller sheepskin sole glued on the inside. The holes are punched into the leather and not the woolly sheepskin. I had trouble with the sheep wool getting in the way when punching the holes and crocheting. I will try the Padraig way.
I bought the sheepskin from a wool and market shop where the owner has a sheep farm. She let me buy a piece of sheepskin. She is located in Port Hope, Ontario for those in Ontario Canada. Romney Wool sells pieces of leather.
I enjoy your post, and am making the baby booty for a new neice.
Thanks again for posting this.
Thank you, thank you, thank you! I am a learning to crochet because I wanted to make booties for my baby with sheepskin soles for grip. I have watched a lot of helpful videos but this is the perfect amount of pattern plus flexibility to cater for the random number of holes I have punched in the first sole. I am only on row four, but I as I have been on row three for weeks: this is progress!
Good luck! Once you have the first one finished the second will be a lot easier 🙂 They are lovely little slippers I still have this red pair stored away for when my sister has children one day.
For some reason the pictures aren’t coming through…I’m curious if there’s anyways I could get this blog post emailed to me?
i am wanting to attach yarn and knit the booties would i attach the same way and follow a pattern based off of ammount of needed stitches
This is still by far my favourite pattern, for the simple fact that I don’t have to count anything and it works beautifully! I didn’t truly appreciate this point until I tried repeatedly to count stitches with mummy brain, only to have to redo countless patterns. This is so simple I can do it in any state of mind!!
Thanks for the message Missus Sel, I am glad you had success with the pattern. I haven’t made them for a while now as my little ones have grown out of sheepskin soled slippers – then again you are never too big for snuggly crochet slippers ;-D
Hello all! I am so excited to get started on my Christmas crafting! I was wondering if anyone could share their adaptation of this youth pattern to help make adult sizes. I am new at crocheting and could use a guide. Thank you so much in advance 🙂
Very cute. These are all the rage now here. I am going to try my hand at making a pair. Thank you.
Hi there,
These are wonderful! I am trying to make a pair but I find that every time I get near the end, I notice that the cuff ends up being more towards the right instead of being centered. Did you ever experience this? Do you have any idea what I am doing wrong?
Any advice would be much appreciated:)
Thanks!
Katie
Hi Katie, I haven’t had that problem but I also haven’t made these for several years now so not sure what could be happening. Sorry I can’t be more help :-/
Do you have a pattern for adult size?
No sorry, I created these for my son when he was little.
Do you turn after each row? Or just crochet around and around?
Thank you for your pattern. I have the wool and acquired a men’s sheepskin coat at the thrift store . I make knitted slippers out of Cowichan style sweaters I buy cheap and undo. I buy old leather coats and cut out soles for my slippers. When my children were small I did crochet vests for them and afghans . I can’t wait to try these , first it will be little ones then I hope to make adults. Wool is so warm compared to synthetics and your feet do not sweat.
HI I’m not sure if this blog is still running but I am having difficulty understanding how to do the top shaping. Where you said you count stitches to evenly disperse over toe, I’m not sure what you mean. Hoping I can get some help with this thanks🙂