Interested in becoming a published crochet designer? Check here for tips and tricks!
Ever since I designed my first pair of baby booties for publication I have not been able to get enough of them. First I created a pair of Basic Baby Booties and now I am working on several more designs. I used Lion Brand 24/7 Cotton for my first pair but decided to try a different yarn for this design. I had two skeins of Red Heart Baby Hugs Light left over from another project I did with these yarns and thought it would be perfect for these shoes – I was right! These turned out even more adorable (in my opinion).
I keep thinking I’m going to create more baby boy items, though, and they always seem to take a turn towards more feminine. Like these – after I was almost done I decided they needed something and created the T-straps, giving them a Mary Jane feel. Maybe I’ll get around to creating a boy design soon (if you don’t know me I have no girls – three boys, the youngest of which is a toddler!). I hope you enjoy this pattern!
Be sure to check out the Sweetheart Baby Shoes, too!
Sweet Sophisticated Mary Janes
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Red Heart Baby Hugs Light (100% acrylic 318 yards [290 meters]/127 grams): Ink (MC 1 ball), Dolphin (CC, 1 ball)
Hook: US size F (3.75mm)
Notions: Yarn needle, stitch markers
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 0-6 (6-12) months, 3 ½ (4)” sole length
Shown in size 0-6 months.
Gauge: 20 sts and 22 rows = 4” [10 cm] in sc
Notes: Rounds are not joined unless noted. Place stitch marker in first st of each round to keep track. If only one number is given that number applies to both sizes.
Special Techniques Used:
To work an invisible join when joining sc: Cut yarn and pull through center of last st made. (Do NOT fasten off the regular way). Insert hook from right to left in 2nd st to left and pull yarn through. Insert hook from right to left in the middle of the last st made (the one you pulled the yarn through initially) and pull yarn down through the middle of this stitch. [See the video HERE!]
To work an invisible join when joining slip sts: Cut yarn and pull through center of last st made. (Do NOT fasten off the regular way). Insert hook from right to left under both loops of next slip st to the left and pull yarn through. Insert hook from right to left in the center of the last slip st and pull yarn down through center of last slip st. [See the video HERE!]
PATTERN
SOLE (make 2 of each color)
Ch 10 (12).
Row 1: 3 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sc 3 (4), hdc 2, dc 2 (3), 7 dc in last ch. Working on opposite side of ch, dc 2 (3), hdc 2, sc 3 (4) – 24 (28) sts.
Row 2: Work 2 sc in each of next 3 sts, sc 8,(10) 2 sc in each of next 5 sts, sc 8 (10) – 32 (36) sts.
Row 3: *Sc 1, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * two more times, sc 8 (10), repeat from * five times, sc 8 (10) – 40 (44) sts.
Row 4: *Sc 2, 2 sc in next st; repeat from * two more times, sc to end – 43 (47) sts.
Make an invisible join. Weave in ends.
Join Soles
Holding 2 soles together (one of each color) with RS facing out and CC on top, join MC in any stitch, going through both soles. Sl st around edge to join soles. Make invisible join. Weave in ends.
For the left-handed tutorial, click here
BODY
With MC, join yarn at center heel st.
Round 1: Ch 1, sc in each slip st; join to first sc with slip st – 43 (47) sts.
Round 2: Ch 1, sc 13 (15), *sc2, sc2tog; repeat from * three more times, sc 14 (16); join to first sc with slip st – 39 (43) sts.
Round 3: Ch 1, sc, sc2tog, sc 11 (13), *sc, sc2tog; repeat from * three more times, sc 10 (12), sc2tog, sc; join to first sc with slip st – 33 (37) sts.
Round 4: Join CC, slip st 11 (13), hdc2tog, dc3tog 2 times, hdc2tog, slip st to end.
Make invisible join. Weave in ends of MC.
Draw ends of CC to back of shoe and tie in tiny bow. Cut off excess.
STRAPS
With CC, join yarn in second slip st to right of first hdc2tog (see photo).
Row 1: Ch 2, dc in second dc3tog (this stitch should appear to be in the very center of the shoe), ch 2, join with slip st in 2nd slip st to the left of last hdc2tog.
Fasten off. Weave in ends.
I have really been enjoying creating baby bootie patterns and hope you’ve enjoyed this one. Don’t forget to check out my library of free crochet patterns, too!
So sweet !!
Anna
Thank you! 🙂
Very precious booties, can’t wait to make them. ?
Thanks Janie! 🙂
Love these <3
Thank you! ?
Thank you for the pattern – these are adorable!!!!
You are so welcome!! 🙂 Glad you like them!
Love these, thanks for sharing. What caught my eye on these is the T strap you added makes it look like an owl face which is very popular these days. So maybe you should add the word “owl” to this page so it will come up in more searches. Much respect, God bless.
I never thought of that Merrie but it’s a great idea! 🙂
Hi
Thanks for the lovely pattern ,
I am having trouble with my stitch count, when you start the body with ch1 do you sc in the same st as the ch1 and for all other rounds or never sc in the ch1 for all rounds??
Thanks so much in advance for your help
Hi Natalie! I did not sc in the first stitch with the ch-1. Does this help out the stitch count?
Yes ! Thank you, i realised my mistake, i was also including the slip st as a st….i think i’ve got it now ? The shoes are adorable ??
Yay! Glad it is working out. The slip st throws a lot of people off – sometimes it still gets me, too!
Hello! Super cute Mary Janes. I currently making them and I have a question. The MC is used to join the two soles together, correct? So why is it finished off after the slip stitches when the MC is then used to do the body? And as the body is being worked, will the RS be inside the shoe? Thanks!
Hi Donna!
I tried not cutting the yarn since you use the MC right after but I couldn’t do the Invisible Join without cutting it. When you work the rounds of the body of the shoe the right side is facing out. Let me know if you have any other questions! ?
Do you have a pattern for adult slippers? My sister is going through chemo and radiation and her feet hurt a lot I am making her slippers and would love to make these for her, she had a small foot but not a baby size .
Hi Robin,
I haven’t made any adult slippers yet. There are lots of cute patterns out there – you can check ravelry or pinterest for some cute adult patterns. Here is a great round up of free patterns, too – check it out at Whistle & Ivy.
Do you have an adult pattern? My sister is going through chemo and radiation at the same time and her feet hurt a lot. I would love to make these adorable slippers for her.
Can I get the boodes fully made
Hi Keke – I don’t make things to order but I do have the original pair seen in these photos. If you are really interested, send me an email via the “contact me” link.
Hi Amanda, I am just returning to crocheting after many years, and are attempting to make your free sweet sophisticated Mary Janes , but on round 2 of the shoe body I end up with 40 stitches not 39, help please they are such gorgeous shoes. I watched your video on how to do the sole, and wondered if you had a video of how to do the body of the shoe. Thanks
Hi Maureen,
A lot of times when I see someone with an extra stitch it is usually because they are crocheting into the slip stitch from the previous round. Are you using a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of each round? I used to not do that and would find myself adding a stitch here or there. Now I use a stitch marker and I can easily see that even though the slip stitch looks like a stitch, I should skip over it. I don’t have a video of this particular shoe up yet. I’m working on more videos – I just have to be out of the house so my three little boys don’t interrupt. 🙂
too too cute ty
I would definitely like to try making an adult version of these!
Great crochet idea. so impressive and useful design for everyone.
Hi,
I was wondering how you make larger sizes for older babies/toddlers. I’m wanting to make this for a 12-18mth old (~10cm foot). I notice in general there are lots of patterns for shoes but often don’t go up to the size I want eg only 0-3mth available or up to 12mth only etc.
Would love if you could explain how to adjust the patterns to make bigger sizes.
Thanks
This could be done but it would require changing the math. A longer starting chain and then more sc on each side to account for the larger length. Most of the times when larger patterns are made they start at the toe and work backwards instead of making a sole first.
I feel like a total idiot, but I cannot figure out how you’re starting the slip stitch to join the two soles. I understand how to end them with the invisible stitch, but is there a way to start it without the yarn coming across the back of both sides? Is there a video for this somewhere?
Actually, I found the entire video. Thanks so much!