These darling crochet gladiator barefoot sandals for baby are easy, stretchy and stylish! They use very little yarn and are a super cute accessory for summer. Pair them with leggings or a cute little summer dress, they go with everything!
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Designing cute little baby accessories has always had a piece of my heart. This baby gladiator crochet barefoot sandals design was first published about 6 years ago. The original design used cute buttons to attach around the foot. I had a few people express concern that the buttons are unsafe for infants, which is a valid point. With Cubbie being the perfect age to model them, it seemed like the perfect time to get them done!
The design came together nicely and she was such a sweet model for me!
Oh those chubby toes!
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One of my favorite things about the new pattern is the use of knitting-in elastic thread. I stumbled on it several years ago and I love the finished, stretchy effect. It takes a bit of practice to master, But you can certainly do it!
BABY CROCHET GLADIATOR BAREFOOT SANDALS – FREE CROCHET PATTERN
I hope you enjoy this pattern! But please remember, the content contained herein is a copyrighted work, tediously designed by myself. Distribution of this pattern (or parts of it) in any way, digital or physical, or use of this pattern (or parts of it) to create your own patterns beyond personal use is strictly prohibited. You are welcome to sell what you make from this pattern, but please do not use any of my photos in your listings.
Abbreviations: US Terms
Ch – chain
Sc – single crochet
Dc – Double Crochet
Hdc – Half Double Crochet
Sl st – Slip Stitch
St – stitch
READY TO MAKE YOUR CUTE BABY SANDALS?
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CROCHET GLADIATOR BAREFOOT SANDALS – ELASTIC STYLE
Gauge: (Gauge Pattern)
Large Hook: 14 sc = 4″
Small Hook: 10 sc = 2″
What you need: (affiliate links)
– 6mm, 3.75mm hooks
– Shine Worsted Yarn in Willow / Comfy Worsted Yarn in Flamingo
– Knitting-In Elastic (get from Amazon or direct for Prym.com)
– Darning Needle
Prefer the button detail? Scroll down to get the older version of the pattern!
TIPS FOR USING ELASTIC YARN THREAD:
– The hook will be larger than you would normally use with this weight of yarn. This allows your stitches to be larger, and looser, so the elastic has farther to stretch.
– Keep your yarn loose and your thread tight. If you let the thread become loose, it will not provide any stretch in your finished item
– Your finished chains will look scrunched up when not in use, this is normal! They will look nicer when worn and will have a lovely stretch to them. The more scrunched up it is, the more stretch it will have.
Notes: Use your larger hook to work the chains. Always switch back to smaller hook to work the dc and sc stitches. Give yourself slack on your elastic while working the sc and dc stitches.
Watch a video demonstrating how to use elastic thread here.
6- 12 MONTHS
SANDALS: (Begin with 6mm Hook)
Worked from the toe up:
1. Ch 20. Sl st into first ch (going through both loops( forming loop (being careful not to twist it).
2. (switch to 3.75mm hook) Ch 2. Make sure you are working through both loops on the chain. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. (Switch to 6mm hook) Ch 17. Being careful not the twist the chain, sl st with first st, forming a loop, going across the back.
3. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Turn. (3 sts)
4. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Turn. Ch 22. Being careful not to twist the chain, join with the first st, making sure the loop comes across the front.
5.Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Turn. (3 sts)
6. Ch 1. Sc in same st. Sc in next 2 sts. Ch 22. Join with a sl st with the first sc, making sure the loop goes across the back.
7. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Turn. (3 sts)
8. Sc in same st. Sc in next 2 sts. Ch 22. Join with a sl st with the first sc, making sure the loop goes across the front.
9. Ch 2. Dc in same st. Dc in next 2 sts. Turn. (3 sts)
10. Sc in same st. Sc in next 2 sts. Ch 22. Join with a sl st with the first sc, making sure the loop goes across the back.
Tie off.
FRONT PIECE:
(Use 3.75mm Hook)
1. Ch 3. Work a Dc foundation of 15 sts. Turn. (15 sts)
2. Ch 1. Sc in each st across. (13 sts)
Tie off, leave a long tail.
CONSTRUCTION:
Be sure to weave in all ends of the sandal before sewing on the front piece.
On the front piece, weave in the beginning tail.
Place the front piece on the front of the sandal. Using the long tail, sew all around the outside of the front piece, sewing it to the sandal Be sure you sew it as close to the edge of the front piece as possible.
BAREFOOT SANDALS – BUTTON STYLE
What you need:
– F hook
– Worsted Weight Acrylic Yarn
– 10 Small Buttons
-Super glue or clear nail polish (to seal the button threads)
Gauge: 9 sc = 2″ (Gauge Pattern)
Click here for a video tutorial
6 MONTHS
This piece is all one round, but I have divided it into 6 STEPS for ease of use: The middle foundation, and 5 straps.
1. Ch 15. Hdc into 2nd ch from hook. Hdc 13 down the ch. (this is the foundation middle part, where you will sew your buttons when you are done)
2. Ch 25. Sl st into 5th ch from hook. Sl st all the way down the chain. Work 3 sc into the top st on the other side. Sc in next 2 sts. (this will form an L shape)
3. Ch 23. Sl st into 5th ch from hook. Sl st all the way down the chain. Sc into next st on the foundation strip. Sc in next 2 sts.
4. Ch 21. Sl st into 5th ch from hook. Sl st all the way down the chain. Sc into next st on foundation. Sc in next 2 sts.
5.Ch 21. Sl st into 5th ch from hook. Sl st all the way down the chain. Sc into next st on foundation. Sc in next 2 sts.
6. Ch 21. Sl st into 5th ch from hook. Sl st all the way down the chain. Sc into next st on foundation. Sc in next st. Sl st into the middle st on the foundation strip.
CONSTRUCTION:
With all your straps dangling, you must sew on your buttons to make it look like a sandal. Your top strap will go off to the right, and the rest of your straps will go off to the left. Sew all 5 buttons so the straps can wrap around baby’s foot and line up evenly. Take extra care to make sure the buttons are sewn on very well, and don’t leave baby unattended while wearing these shoes. Seal the threads of each of the buttons with super glue or clear nail polish.
Push each button through the end of each strap, where you created a button hole by skipping stitches before sc back into the chain. I like to leave the bottom two buttons done up to for quicker on and off of the sandals.
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xoxo,
Originally posted on One Artsy Mama
I just made these & they are super cute! Thank you!!
Wonderful! You are welcome!
I just made several of your patterns and I love them. I have three friends expecting grandchildren, and I can’t wait to give them these adorable baby booties.
That is wonderful, that’s so much for saying so! Thanks for taking the time to brighten my day :)
For a larger size do I need to add more to the chain? Did you say make straps longer?
I haven’t designed larger sizes, so I can’t say for sure. You would definitely need to make the straps longer, but probably by only 1 or 2 chs for each size up.
i have a new Great-Grandaughter and I will be making them tonight. Thank you so much.
You’re welcome! And congrats!
Hello! I am looking to make these for a 13 month old, wearing a size 4 shoe…. Does anyone have any suggestions on how long I should chain?
I just downloaded your pattern for baby Barefoot Gladiator sandals; the Whistle and Ivy logo is covering much of the instructions on both pages making the pattern useless. I’ve tried downloading the pdf file and just printing it directly; both ways get the same results. Help! thanks
Try opening in Adobe Reader or tapping “reader view”
Hello can you make these for 8month or older
Denise
Sure, make the straps a bit longer.
ok thanks that is what I thought just wanted to check
No problem! Questions are always welcome!
I like these in the picture, but your pattern isn’t completely acurate to what is shown. I don’t learn by videos. Your pattern is only calling for 4 straps total when you show 5 and until I altered what the pattern said, there were big gaps being left where you connect back to the foundation from the sl sts. You may want to edit this. Cute concept tho.
Hi Katherine,
I am sorry you are having trouble! You may have missed a step though. Step one is the front part down the foot (with all the buttons) and steps 2-6 are each a strap (5 total).The very top one wraps around the foot the opposite way of the other 4. And I am not sure what you mean by gaps? You want space between the straps, is that what you mean? I know you don’t learn through videos, but I hope you watch it, it might clear up a few things! Let me know if you need more help.
So, I had the same problem when working through the written pattern. I watched the video and you have to just slip stitch all the remaining stitches in your chain. Also, on step 4 you sc 2 not ch 2. It worked a lot better after i made those adjustments!
Thanks for letting me know! It’s fixed.
I love these was trying to post a picture of the ones I am making
Thanks! I would love to see! Put them on my Facebook page, it might be easier.
https://www.facebook.com/WhistleAndIvy
Why every time I try to download your free pattern it comes up with a big black box that says whistle and ivy and I can’t see the pattern? Just wondering if this is just an issue with my devices or if it happens to others. I love your work and would love the patterns to make for my little munchkin.
Hi Christie,
Thanks so much! The watermark is light gray when displayed correctly so try opening in Adobe Reader or try tapping “reader view.”
You say it takes minutes to make, but approximately how long from start to finish does it take to make for you?
About 15 minutes.
WOW! both including the buttons?? In a crochet group we’ve been going back and forth. I figured 30 mins for 2 including the buttons.
Well, I have never timed myself, but it’s a quick project. You will just have to try them and find out, I guess ;)
Your logo covers the whole pattern. I can’t read it
The logo is a light gray watermark. Try opening in Adobe Reader or tap “reader view.”
Hi! My sister-in-law asked me to make these adorable sandals for my niece. I can’t quite tell from the photos, and couldn’t find it mentioned in this post or the pattern: do you use regular worsted weight yarn, or a thinner yarn?
Thanks!
Hi!
I use medium weight. It is such a simple pattern, though, I think you could use whatever you want and make small adjustments.
Perfect. Thanks, Bethany!
Hi Bethany!! I made the barefoot gladiator sandals and was wondering if you have a pattern for newborn size? I love your website you make these patterns so easy to follow.
I don’t! I made these with my niece, and I never got around to making more sizes with my baby. The only way for me to write it, is if I have a newborn to try it on. Sorry!
Hi Bethany! I just made these following the video tutorial and LOVE them! Super cute, easy (I’m a beginner), and fun! Have you made any since responding to the original question of newborn sizes – or any other sizes for that matter? I would love to make some for my big footed 12 month old. :) Thanks so much!
I haven’t! These are a bit tricky to size, and I don’t dare write a pattern without testing them on a newborn, which, unfortunately, mine isn’t a newborn anymore! I regret not jumping on that a few months ago, but it was a bit of a blur and I sadly missed that short window :(
Hi Bethany
I have just discovered your site and love it!!! Have just had a little girl so am going crazy with the flip flops and especially the gladiator sandals…they are amazing!!!
I would love to make the gladiators for some toddlers (and even myself) but am hopeless at altering patterns. Any tips on how to make this pattern in larger sizes?
Thanks for sharing your ideas and the tutorials are super helpful too.
Sincerely,
Sommer
Thank you so much, Sommer! I hope to get to it in a few months, but you could take one of my toddler patterns and use the sole as a guide, and then just put more stitches in between the straps. Make sure to make the straps longer as well! Hope this helps :)
Thanks for reading! And thanks for your kind words.
Oh these are just adorable! I love everything about them.
Thank you so much, Wendy!
I am not a crocheter, but I do knit. I’m about to become a great grandma any minute now, and I’d love to make the new baby these sandals. Is there any knitting instructions available for baby sandals? Anne Seibel.
Sorry, I crochet but I don’t knit!
Oh my goodness, Bethany, how adorable. Have you shared this at my blog hop yet? Come on over!
Thanks so much, Sinea :)
Love this…Featuring you tomorrow at Work It Wednesday! Wonderful job! Hope to see your next project tomorrow;-)Xo
Thank you so much!!
Love em, Bethany! And your new site design looks GREAT. Nice job!
Thanks Alexis! :) :)
These are soooooo adorable! Pinned :) Thanks for sharing at The Makers!
Thanks so much!!!