How to make "flip flop soles"

This is just a quick tutorial on how to prepare a cheap pair of flip flops to receive your crochet.

Materials

*I hook
*Cotton Yarn- I used Peaches & Cream (medium weight size 4)

*Cheap Flip Flops- I got flip flops for $0.98 a pair at Wal-Mart (these are one size larger than my granddaughter wears-smallest they had- I bought a pair one size larger for the adult pair I'm making as well-I don't want tight shoes) 

*Puffy Paint - I use this to fill hole on sole

*Sharp scissors (to cut flip flops & jute)

*optional- drill with a small bit to put holes in sole (this can be accomplished with a needle as well, but I felt it was a little less labor intensive to pre-drill holes)

*large eye needle to sew jute to sole

*Twisted Jute Twine (see pic!)

*something to measure with & a Sharpie- to mark holes 

This is the jute I used

Directions:

Cut the toe from the flip flop and...

...cut the back straps at an angle and turn outwards.
*Leave the back straps in place*

Mark around bottom of sole in 1/2" increments

*BE SURE the dot count is the same!  I had 35 dots on each of these soles*

Optional- drill through marked holes

Add caption

*you can use a needle if you're tough ;)

Similar to a "chain stitch"
1: using jute- insert needle through hole from inner sole to outer and return through next hole
2: loop around end of jute and return needle through hole you just came through, do NOT pull too tight
3: bottom of shoe view- this stitch will create a "solid" line of sts
4: push needle from outer sole to inner sole through next hole
5: insert needle through previous loop
6: return needle through hole it just came through
7: push needle from outer sole and through previous loop
*continue around, join with a knot (will be hidden under work)

Left- inner sole;  right- outer sole

Bottom of moccasins, puffy paint in toe hole- be sure to let dry before working with sole/wearing

 OPTIONAL:

Attach your favorite crochet slippers by making 2dc in each jute st around inner sole (this number will vary by size of sandals).  Fit your favorite slippers into  the dc and stitch in place!

You can make your jute sts just around the toes of your sandals and make slides!  Have fun with your creations!

I would love to see your creations! Visit Mommy Made Crochet Facebook and share your pics!

Adult Moccasin Sneak Peak

I've been working on getting a pattern for adult sizes and I think I finally got it!

***PATTERN Coming soon***

Cotton Moccasin Shoes with Flip Flop Soles (children's 11/12 flip flop)

I get creative slumps where I can't decide what to make and I look all over for inspiration. I was tooling through Pinterest and saw some cute moccasin slippers, but Florida is kinda warm for slippers... so I thought about thick felt bottom slippers, kinda durable but again really too warm for slippers.

Flip Flops are $0.98 at Wal-Mart and that's what most people in Florida wear...cotton breathes...Jute is durable.... *lightbulb flickers on

Adult size : Adult Crochet Moccasin Shoes

Cotton Moccasins

 *My granddaughter will be getting these soon!

Materials

*I hook
*Cotton Yarn- I used Peaches & Cream (medium weight size 4)

*Cheap Flip Flops- I got flip flops for $0.98 a pair at Wal-Mart (these are one size larger than my granddaughter wears-smallest they had- I bought a pair one size larger for the adult pair I'm making as well-I don't want tight shoes) 

*Puffy Paint - I use this to fill hole on sole

*Sharp scissors (to cut flip flops & jute)

*optional- drill with a small bit to put holes in sole (this can be accomplished with a needle as well, but I felt it was a little less labor intensive to pre-drill holes)

*large eye needle to sew jute to sole

*Twisted Jute Twine (see pic!)

*something to measure with & a Sharpie- to mark holes 

This is the Jute Twine I used

Abbreviations:

ch: chain

sl st: slip stitch

sc: single crochet

mirror sc: a style of crochet that gives row work the appearance of rounds Mirror sc video (you can use regular sc if you prefer or you can learn this great stitch!)

sc2tog: single crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)

BLO: crochet in back loop only

Rsc: reverse single crochet reverse sc video

Third Loop: you will sew the toe in place through these loops third loop

Hdc: half double crochet

Hdc2tog: half double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)

Dc:  double crochet

Note: 

Unless noted otherwise: ch at end of each row and join rounds with a sl st.  If pattern reads "sc, sc2tog, 2sc" it would be read as, " single crochet, single crochet 2 stitches together, 2 single crochet in the next stitch", directions are to be repeated to end of row/round unless otherwise noted.  

This is an original design by me, Anna Wilson, and I share it freely with all you crafty crocheters!  You may do whatever you like with your finished Moccasins: sell them at farmer's markets, wear them, gift them, fly to the moon with them or take over the world with them!! But I ask that you not reproduce/sell this pattern.  

Directions:

Prepare the Flip Flops:

Cut the toe from the flip flop and...

...cut the back straps at an angle and turn outwards.
*Leave the back straps in place*

Mark around bottom of sole in 1/2" increments
*I had 35 dots on each sole*

Optional- drill through marked holes
*you can use a needle if you're tough ;)

Similar to a "chain stitch"
1: using jute- insert needle through hole from inner sole to outer and return through next hole
2: loop around end of jute and return needle through hole you just came through, do NOT pull too tight
3: bottom of shoe view- this stitch will create a "solid" line of sts
4: push needle from outer sole to inner sole through next hole
5: insert needle through previous loop
6: return needle through hole it just came through
7: push needle from outer sole and through previous loop
*continue around, join with a knot (will be hidden under work)

Left- inner sole;  right- outer sole

Begin crochet: 

Toe: make 2

ch 9 (with color of your choice, I used a variegated yarn)

1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (8) *ch1 turn at end of each of row unless otherwise noted

2: mirror sc  

3: sc (8)

4: mirror sc (8)

5: 2sc. sc6. 2sc (10)

6: mirror sc (10)

7: sc (10)

8: mirror sc (10)

9: sc (10)

10: mirror sc (10)

11: sc (10)

12: mirror sc (10)

13: sc, change color in last st (if you want too) (I leave a long tail of variegated for sewing to shoe)

14: mirror sc (10)

15: BLO- sc (10)

16: rsc across, f.o. weave in end.

Side upper:

with cotton color of your choice (I join yarn near inner foot, back strap hole)

1: 2dc through each of the top two loops on the sole around, join with a sl st (70) 

2: ch1, sc around, join with a sl st (70)

3: ch1, sc around to center back heel- sc2tog, continue sc to row end; join with a sl st (69)

4: ch1, sc around to center back heel- sc2tog, continue to sc to row end- (68) drop this part of work, careful not to unravel

attach toe:

mark off 36 stitches evenly for front of shoe place markers, pin toe in place: color change row to markers ***sew toe in place before continuing pattern  Attach toe by stitching through 3rd loop of shoe round 4 and toe edge

Sew through third loop- marker to marker

continue shoe:

pick up yarn loop from round 4

5: sc around to heel, find center 10 stitches of heel and begin with hdc2, hdc2tog x3, hdc2, sc to end of row. (65) f.o. weave in ends.

Finishing:

Cut some small pieces of yarn (approx 4 inches) and loop through skipped front loops of toe row 15 for fringe.

I used puffy paint to fill the holes left from the toe strap.  You could probably use caulk, but I had puffy paint ;)

Bottom of moccasins, puffy paint in toe hole

Purple fringe!

I'm starting a pair of larger shoes (as seen in the pics that feature chartreuse flip flops- I hope it works out!

Have fun and happy hooking!

Anna

Update:

Anna got her moccasins and she loves them!!!  She is fighting a virus making it's rounds through  our town :( She is chillin' here with some Scooby Doo now :)

My sweet Noo Noo, best  model ever, always beautiful!

You really made these for me? Thank you Ya Ya!

Boye 4 in 1 Crochet Tool Review and Giveaway!

Boye 4 in 1 Crochet Tool Review and Giveaway!   <== follow link for review and enter for a chance to win!



A great review about a traveling crochet tool! Now to convince that hubby to take me to the city to find one...

Beginner Crochet (or brush up your skills!)

Interested in learning to crochet?  Here's a link to my YouTube channel with some of the basic stitches you need to start on your new hobby!

Have friends who want to learn crochet, send them a link!

Are you left handed and want to try but haven't found a teacher?  I "mirrored" my videos in hopes of tackling the task of teaching a "lefty".  (My niece and son are both left-handed-I know it's hard to find left-hand directions)

More videos to come in the future!



Hooked on Crochet  Be sure to subscribe!


Happy hooking!

My Garden

Usually I post about crochet but I want to share some of garden with you today :)

I love my garden, I have found gardening to be very therapeutic for me <3

A wildflower, I don't know what kind

Bleeding Heart (about a month ago)

Canna

Gloriosa lily (vining lily)

Gulf Frittilary caterpillar on the passion vine a host plant for this species

Passiflora incarnata
(passion vine, maypop)

Pileated Woodpecker

Sunset and storms last week

Van the Cat *crochet pattern

Van the Cat

Van the Cat is dear to my heart and a labor of love.  My kittles are always watching me work.  As I sat around trying to decide on my next pattern I looked at Mr Bigglesworth and thought a cat would be nice!
***Pattern is untested as I type, if you find any errors I would greatly appreciate a heads up!***

Mr Bigglesworth (Bigs) and Van the Cat

My sweet kittles Alice was started awake by the flash :3

Materials:

F hook (or hook needed to obtain a tight fabric)
0 steel hook (for nose)
ww yarn in your choice of colors (I used Red Heart Super Saver in White, red & black )
Small amt of black (for mouth)
pink embroidery floss for nose
24mm safety eyes  (You can always embroider this!)
20mm doll joints (you can use safety eyes, or sew in place!)
tapestry needle (to attach limbs etc)
fiberfill


Abbreviations:

MR: magic ring
sl: slip
st: stitch
ch: chain
sc: single crochet
sc2tog: single crochet 2 together
sc3tog: single crochet 3 stitches together
hdc: half double crochet
5 dc bobble: insert hook into st draw up a loop, pull through 2 loops, repeat 4 more times in same st, yo draw through all loops on hook
f.o.: finish off
BPSC: back post sc
FPSC: front post sc

Note:
I use American terminology.  Be sure to read through the pattern before you begin.  If the pattern reads, "sc, 2sc, sc2tog" it would be read as "single crochet, 2 single crochet in next stitch, single crochet the next 2 stitches together".   Unless a specific repeat amount is written (ex: x3) you will repeat instructions given until end of each round. I like to use "invisible decreases"- use FLO, it helps the fabric lie smoother.  Stuff your project as you progress.  Unless noted otherwise Van the Cat is worked in amigurumi style in the round without joining. Make sure you mark your rounds, a scrap piece of contrasting yarn works great!
 Any Van the Cat's you make from my pattern are yours to do with as you please.  I ask that you please not distribute or represent my pattern as your own.  If you feel like sharing, please direct people to my blog :)  I like visitors!

Arms: x2

using F hook & color of your choice, change colors whenever you want, make your Van the Cat to your liking!  Stuff firmly as you work, I stuff a little lighter towards top of arm.

1: Mr 6 (6)

2: 2sc (12)

3: sc, 2sc (18)

4: sc2, 2sc (24)

5-7: sc (24)

8: sc12, 5dc bobble, sc11 (24)

9: sc (24)

10: sc2, sc2tog (18)

11: sc, sc2tog (12)

12-14: sc (12)

15: sc3, 2sc (15)

16-18: sc (15)

19: sc4, 2sc (18)

20-22: sc (18)

23: sc8, 2sc (20)

24-28: sc (20)

29: sc3, sc2tog (16)

30: sc (16) I placed the joint between rows 29/30 of arms they will attach to body between rows 65/66

31: sc2, sc2tog (12)

32: sc, sc2tog (8) f.o. leave a long tail, you may find you can't manipulate the joints well if you finish last round, if this is the case leave a a small amt of yarn extra and f.o. at round 31, after you have joint in place finish crochet rnd 32 :) leave open end until later on

Feet: x 2

Toes: make 3 per foot do NOT f.o. 3rd toe

1: Mr 6 (6)

2: sc, 2sc (9)

3: sc (9) f.o. toes 1 & 2

Begin foot/leg- see photos below if you need help with rnd 4

4: sc4, sk last 5 sts, sc4 in next toe, sk last 5 sts, sc9 in last toe, (I pick up a loop in 1st sc space of this toe as if doing a decrease to avoid sewing areas between toes closed) sc5 in next toe, (pick up loop in 1st sc space of the toe) sc 5 to marker. (27) you will have created a single round from 3 toes

5-6: sc (27)

7: *sc6, sc2tog* x3, sc3 (24)

8-9: sc (24) be sure to stuff as you work!

10: sc4, sc2tog (20)

11-13: sc (20)

14: sc3, sc2tog (16)

15-16: sc (16)

17: sc8, BPSC 8 (16)

18: FPSC 8, sc 8 (16)

19: sc9, hdc6, sc (16)

20-21: sc (16)

22: sc3, 2sc (20)

23-24: sc (20)

25: sc4, 2sc (24)

26-30: sc (24)

31: sc5, 2sc (28)

32-34: sc (28)  f.o. leg one continue with leg 2

Look at your cat feet, add a stitch or two to keep feet flat or you can leave loose, they will naturally bend a bit on their own.  Find the sides of the legs and line up the inner thigh center stitches, a count of mine may not help you as tension can have us in different places.  I place a piece of yarn as a marker to indicate these sts.

35: sc to first marker, sk remaining sts of this leg and begin to crochet in first leg, sc28, (pick up a loop in 1st st of this leg and continue to next leg) sc in sk sts of leg 2 to marker. (56)

36: sc6, sc2 (64)

37: sc (64)

38: sc7, 2sc (72)

39-49: sc (72)

50: sc7, sc2tog (64)  make sure you're stuffing firmly!

51-55: sc (64)

56; sc6, sc2tog (56)

57-58: sc (56)

59: sc5, sc2tog (48)

60-61: sc (48)

62: sc4, sc2tog (38)

63-64: sc (38)

65: sc3, sc2tog (30) joint will go between 65/66

66-69: sc (30)

70: sc3, sc2tog (25)

71: sc (25)

72: sc6, sc2tog, sc17 (24)

73-74: sc (24)

75: sc, 2sc (36)

76: sc5, 2sc (42)

Find side of head, place a marker in the center side sts (3 markers- inc/dec markers x2 and rnd marker)

77: sc to st before first marker, 2sc x3 (place marker in first sc of 1st 2sc, you will use this marker to indicate where increases and decreases are-continue to mark rounds!) sc to st before next marker, (move marker as with first increase) 2sc x3, sc to beginning of round (rnd marker)  (48)

78: sc (48)

79: sc to fist inc/dec marker: 2sc, sc x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc, 2sc x3, sc to rnd marker (54)

80: sc (54)

81: sc to inc/dec marker: 2sc, sc2 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc2, 2sc x3, sc to rnd marker (60)

82: sc (60)

83: sc to inc/dec marker: 2sc, sc3 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc3, 2sc x3, sc to rnd marker (66)

84: sc (66)

85: sc to inc/dec marker: 2sc, sc4 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc4, 2sc x3, sc to rnd marker (72)

86: sc (72)

87: sc to inc/dec marker: 2sc, sc5 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc5, 2sc x3, sc to rnd marker (78)

88-90: sc (78)

91: sc to inc/dec marker: sc2tog, sc5 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc5, sc2tog x3, sc to rnd marker (72)

92: sc to inc/dec marker: sc2tog, sc4 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc4, sc2tog x3, sc to rnd marker (66)

93: sc to inc/dec marker: sc2tog, sc3 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc3, sc2tog x3, sc to rnd marker (60)

94:sc to inc/dec marker: sc2tog, sc2 x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc2, sc2tog x3, sc to rnd marker (54) 

95: sc to inc/dec marker: sc2tog, sc x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc, sc2tog x3, sc to rnd marker (48)

96: sc to inc/dec marker: sc2tog, x3, sc to next inc/dec marker: sc2tog x3, sc to rnd marker (42)

97-98: sc (42)

99: sc5, sc2tog (36) Place eyes now if using safety eyes between rnds 92/93 (I think) look for best spot!

100: sc4, sc2tog (30) keep stuffing!  Stuff the neck firmly to help hold shape

101: sc3, sc2tog (24)

102: sc2tog (12)

103: sc, sk 1 st (6) f.o.

Nose: with embroidery thread and size 0 steel hook

ch6

1: in 2nd ch from hook sc and in the next 4 ch (5) ch1 turn

2: sc2tog, sc, sc2tog (3) ch1 turn

3: sc3tog, ch1 f.o. leaving a tail to attach nose to face

Tail

with F hook and color of choice  stuff tail lightly as you progress

1: Mr4 (4)

2: 2sc (8)

3-42: sc (8) f.o. leaving a long tail for attaching to body  

Ears x2

with F hook and color choice Do NOT stuff

1: MR 4 (4)

2: 2sc (8)

3: sc (8)

4: 2sc, sc (12)

5: sc (12)

6: 2sc, sc2 (16)

7: sc (16)

8: 2sc, sc3 (20)

9: sc (20)

10: 2sc, sc4 (24)

11: sc (24) f.o. leaving a long tail for attaching ears to head

Collar

with F hook in color choice

ch35

1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and across (34) f.o. leaving a tail to sew collar to cat

Finishing

Cut 12 pieces of yarn approximately 6 inches long for hair tufts in ears and cheeks (3 per location) I used my tapestry needle to separate the yarn and trimmed to desired length after on Van.  I used a latch hook style knot to attach the hair.  

Sew tail to back of cat in location you like best.  

Attach the collar around neck of Van with a a few stitches.  

Sew smile on Van using black embroidery floss or yarn.  

Go nuts, give him whiskers or a mustache or anything you like!

Rnd 4 photo help:

Rnd 4: sc4

Rnd 4: sc 4 in next toe

Rnd 4: sc 9 in last toe

Rnd 4: pick a loop in first sc space

Rnd 4: continue to sc 5 in next toe 

Rnd 4: completed 1st st on 2nd toe

The black yarn in my "marker".  I place it before the first st of rnd 2 and carry back and forth as I complete each rnd, an easy way to quickly count rnds!

End of rnd 7

As I said above this pattern was written as I made Van and may have errors, if you need help or find an error please contact me I will be glad to help and fix any problems!

As always Happy Hooking!

Change colors whenever you like or not at all!

Thanks for visiting!