May Crochet Baby Sandals

Keep tiny toes stylish and cool all summer long with these adorable, double-soled crochet baby sandals featuring a gorgeous textured puff stitch design.

There is nothing quite like the sight of tiny baby feet. But finding summer footwear that actually stays on those wiggly little feet can feel like an absolute nightmare. Store-bought baby shoes are often too stiff, too heavy, or slip off the second you turn your back.

I have been there more times than I care to admit.

Years ago, when I first tried making baby footwear, they always ended up looking like misshapen sacks rather than actual shoes. The soles were floppy, the straps were loose, and they offered zero structure for a baby who was just starting to sit up and explore. That is when I realized the secret lies in creating a sturdy, double-layered sole.

It changes everything.

Today, I am thrilled to share my favorite solution: the Fern Sandals. These sweet little shoes combine a robust, double-thickness sole with a lightweight, breathable upper that cradles delicate feet perfectly.

They look absolutely darling when paired with a matching Little Bow Peep Baby Dress.

Best of all, this project is incredibly fast to whip up. You can easily finish a complete pair during a single afternoon naptime, making them perfect for last-minute baby shower gifts or summer craft markets.

Why You'll Love This Pattern

• Double-soled structure: Overlapping two soles creates a firm, professional base that keeps its shape beautifully.
• Stays put: The clever ankle strap and toe-tie design ensure these sandals actually stay on active feet.
• Scrap-friendly: Uses tiny amounts of worsted and DK weight yarn, making it a brilliant stash-buster.

Materials You'll Need

• Yarn: Worsted weight / Aran yarn (Medium / Size 4) for the sturdy soles; DK / Light Worsted weight yarn (Light / Size 3) for the soft uppers.
• Hook: F (3.75 mm) crochet hook.
• Notions: Yarn needle for weaving in ends, stitch markers to keep track of placement.
• Yardage: Very minimal (less than 50 yards total of scrap yarn).

Gauge & Sizing

• Gauge: Use the finished sole measurements to check your tension.
• Sizes included: 0-6 months and 6-12 months.
• Finished measurements:
  • 0-6 Months: Sole measures 3 3/4 inches long by 2 inches wide.
  • 6-12 Months: Sole measures 4 1/4 inches long by 2 1/4 inches wide.

Abbreviations & Stitch Instructions

• ch: Chain
• sc: Single crochet
• hdc: Half double crochet
• sl st: Slip stitch
• sc2tog: Single crochet two together (decrease). Insert hook in first stitch, pull up a loop. Insert hook in next stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, pull through all three loops on hook.
• Puff st: Puff stitch. Yarn over, insert hook in specified stitch, pull up a loop. Yarn over, insert hook in same stitch, pull up another loop (5 loops on hook). Yarn over, pull through all loops, chain 1 to close.
• BLO: Back loops only. Work your stitches only into the rear loop of the stitch from the previous row.

Pattern Notes

• Skill Level: Advanced Beginner.
• This pattern is written in US crochet terms.
• The item is worked in the round for the soles, and flat (rows) for the uppers.
• Tension Tip: Keep your foundation chains uniform to ensure both soles match perfectly. If you struggle with consistency, check out my tips for making baby booties.
• Customization Tip: Use contrasting colors for the sole and the upper to make the puff stitch texture pop.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Crocheting the Soles (Make 4)

Size 0-6 Months

Using F hook and worsted weight yarn, chain 12. Chain uniformly to maintain gauge.

Round 1: Work 1 sc into the second chain from your hook. Work 1 sc in each chain across until you reach the last chain. Work 3 sc in that final chain. Do not turn your work. Continue working along the opposite side of your foundation chain, placing 1 sc in each chain across. Join with a slip stitch into the starting chain-1. (24 sc)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in each of the next 3 stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the next stitch. Join with a slip stitch to the top of the starting chain-1. (30 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 1, sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 10 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 10 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the next stitch. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc of the round. (34 stitches)

Round 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 6 stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch, 2 hdc in the following stitch, 1 hdc in each of the next 2 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch, 2 hdc in the following stitch, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 1 sc in each of the next 6 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the first sc. Fasten off. (40 stitches)

Size 6-12 Months

Using F hook and worsted weight yarn, chain 13.

Round 1: Work 1 sc into the second chain from your hook. Work 1 sc in each of the next 6 stitches, then 1 hdc in each of the next 4 stitches. Work 3 hdc in the final chain. Do not turn. Work along the opposite side of your foundation chain, placing 1 hdc in each of the next 4 chains, and 1 sc in the remaining 7 chains. Join with a slip stitch to the starting chain-1. (26 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 1, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 5 stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in each of the next 4 stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 1 sc in each of the next 5 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch. Join with a slip stitch to the starting chain-1. (33 stitches)

Round 3: Ch 1, 1 sc in the next stitch, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 12 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 12 stitches, 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in the next stitch. Join with a slip stitch to the starting chain-1. (38 stitches)

Round 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in each of the next 10 stitches, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch, 2 hdc in the following stitch, 1 hdc in each of the next 3 stitches, 2 hdc in the next stitch, 2 hdc in the following stitch, 1 hdc in each of the next 5 stitches, 1 sc in each of the next 11 stitches. Join with a slip stitch to the starting chain-1. Fasten off. (43 stitches)

Assembling the Soles

For each sandal, take two matching soles and overlap them. Slip stitch through both layers all the way around to join them securely. You will have 40 slip stitches for the smaller size, and 43 slip stitches for the larger size. This creates a beautifully thick, cushioned sole.

Crafting the Toe Section (Upper)

Note: Use DK weight yarn for the upper. Slip stitches and chains do not count toward the final stitch counts at the end of rows. Numbers in brackets represent the larger size: 0-6 months (6-12 months).

Mark 7 (9) slip stitches symmetrically on the toe end of your sole.

Row 1: Join your DK yarn with a slip stitch to the first marked stitch (inserting your hook from the inside of the sole). Work 1 sc in each of the next 5 (7) stitches. Slip stitch to the next marked stitch on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (5 (7) sc)

Row 2: Skip the first slip stitch. Work 2 sc in the next stitch, then repeat *(1 sc, 2 sc)* a total of 2 (3) times. Chain 1, slip stitch into the next empty stitch on the sole, chain 1 again, and turn. (8 (11) sc)

Row 3 (Size 0-6 Months Only): Skip the first slip stitch and chain-1 of the previous row. Work 2 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc. Chain 1, slip stitch to the same stitch where you joined the previous row's starting chain, slip stitch to the next empty stitch on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (12 stitches)

Row 3 (Size 6-12 Months Only): Skip the first slip stitch and chain-1 of the previous row. Repeat *(1 sc, 1 sc, 2 sc)* a total of 3 times, then work 1 sc in each of the last 2 stitches. Chain 1, slip stitch to the same stitch where you joined the previous row's starting chain, slip stitch to the next empty stitch on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (14 sc)

Row 4 (Both Sizes): Skip 2 slip stitches and the chain-1 of the previous row. Work 2 sc in the next stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 10 (12) stitches, and 2 sc in the next stitch. Chain 1, slip stitch to the same stitch where you joined the previous row's starting chain, slip stitch to the next empty stitch on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (14 (16) sc)

Row 5 (Both Sizes): Skip 2 slip stitches and the chain-1 of the previous row. Work 1 sc in each of the next 14 (16) stitches. Chain 1, slip stitch to the same stitch where you joined the previous row's starting chain, slip stitch to the next 2 empty stitches on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (14 (16) sc)

Row 6: Skip 3 slip stitches and the chain-1 of the previous row. Repeat *(puff stitch in the next stitch, skip 1 stitch)* a total of 7 (8) times. You should have 7 (8) puff stitches. Chain 1, slip stitch to the next 2 empty stitches on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (7 (8) puff stitches)

Row 7: Work 1 sc in the first chain-1 space (the gap beneath the chain-1). Repeat *(1 sc on top of the puff stitch, 1 sc in the next chain-1 space)* a total of 7 (8) times. Slip stitch to the next 2 empty stitches on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (15 (17) sc)

Row 8: Skip 2 slip stitches and the first sc of the previous row. Repeat *(puff stitch in the next stitch, chain 1, skip 1 stitch)* a total of 7 (8) times. After the final puff stitch, chain 1, slip stitch to the next 2 empty stitches on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (7 (8) puff stitches)

Row 9: Repeat Row 7. (15 (17) sc)

Row 10: Repeat Row 8, but at the end of the row, slip stitch to only 1 empty stitch on the sole, chain 1, and turn. (7 (8) puff stitches)

Row 11: Slip stitch in the back loops only (BLO) of each stitch across. Slip stitch to the same stitch where you joined the previous row's starting chain. Fasten off. (15 (17) slip stitches)

Crocheting the Heel Section (Ankle Side)

Mark 9 (11) slip stitches symmetrically on the heel end of the sole.

Row 1: Insert your hook from the back of the sandal and slip stitch to the marked stitch on the right. Work 1 sc in the same stitch as your slip stitch, then work 1 sc in each of the next 8 (10) stitches. Turn. (9 (11) sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, 1 sc in the same stitch as your chain-1, then 1 sc in each of the next 8 (10) stitches. Turn. (9 (11) sc)

Row 3: Ch 3 (the starting chain-2 counts as your first hdc). Skip the next stitch. Repeat *(puff stitch in the next stitch, skip 1 stitch)* a total of 3 (4) times. Work 1 hdc in the final stitch. Turn. (3 (4) puff stitches)

Row 4: Ch 1, 1 sc in the same stitch as your chain-1, 1 sc in the next chain-1 space. Repeat *(1 sc on top of the puff stitch, 1 sc in the chain-1 space)* a total of 3 (4) times. Work 1 sc on top of the starting chain-2. (9 (11) sc)

For Size 0-6 Months: Fasten off here and proceed to the lace instructions.

For Size 6-12 Months Only: Ch 1, work 1 sc directly into the first chain-1 space. Repeat *(1 sc on top of the puff stitch, 1 sc in the chain-1 space)* a total of 4 times. Fasten off. (9 sc)

Adding the Shoe Laces

Size 0-6 Months (Right Sandal)

Chain 26 (should measure about 5 inches). Working from the back of the shoe, slip stitch into the top of the starting chain-2 from the previous round. Work 1 sc in the first chain-1 space, 1 sc on top of the puff stitch, 1 sc in the next chain-1 space, sc2tog across the next puff stitch and chain-1 space, 1 sc on top of the puff stitch, and 1 sc in the last chain-1 space. Slip stitch in the last stitch. Chain 9 tightly. Rotate the shoe so the toe faces you, slip stitch to the center of the toe section from the top down, then chain 35. Fasten off.

Size 0-6 Months (Left Sandal)

Chain 35. With the toe facing you, slip stitch to the center of the toe section. Chain 9 tightly. Rotate the sandal so the heel faces you. Working from the back, slip stitch into the top of the starting chain-2 of the previous round. Work 1 sc in the first chain-1 space, 1 sc on top of the puff stitch, 1 sc in the next chain-1 space, sc2tog across the next puff stitch and chain-1 space, 1 sc on top of the puff stitch, and 1 sc in the last chain-1 space. Slip stitch to the last stitch, chain 26, and fasten off.

Size 6-12 Months (Right Sandal)

Chain 26. Working from the back of the shoe, slip stitch into the last sc of the previous round where you fastened off. Work 1 sc in the same stitch as your slip stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, sc2tog, and 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches. Chain 10 tightly. Rotate the shoe so the toe faces you, slip stitch to the center of the toe section from the top down, then chain 36. Fasten off.

Size 6-12 Months (Left Sandal)

Chain 36. With the toe facing you, slip stitch to the center of the toe section. Chain 10 tightly. Rotate the sandal so the heel faces you. Working from the back, slip stitch into the last sc of the previous round where you fastened off. Work 1 sc in the same stitch as your slip stitch, 1 sc in each of the next 2 stitches, sc2tog, and 1 sc in each of the next 4 stitches. Chain 26 and fasten off.

Finishing

Weave in all remaining yarn tails securely. I love hiding the tails between the two layers of the soles for a completely seamless finish!

Easy Variations & Custom Ideas

• Gladiator Style: If you love a taller strap look, try my Gladiator Sandals variation for a trendy, strappy look that wraps higher up the calf.
• Flip Flop Alternative: For an even quicker summer project, you can easily adapt the double-sole base into a pair of Crochet Flip Flops.
• Contrast Edging: Work the slip stitch join of the two soles in a bright contrasting color to create a sporty faux-welt look.
• Add a Bow: Crochet a tiny accent bow using my Velvet Bows pattern and stitch it securely to the toe strap.
• Wooden Button Accent: Instead of a long tie lace, shorten the ankle strap and add a small functional wooden button for a rustic touch.
• Colour ideas: Try pastel pink with cream soles, or a nautical navy blue with white uppers.
• Yarn substitutions: Any sturdy cotton worsted weight yarn works beautifully for the soles to give them extra structure, while bamboo-blend DK yarns make incredibly soft uppers.

Common Troubleshooting & Fixes

• Problem: The soles are curling up like little bowls.
  Fix: This usually happens if your foundation chain is too tight. Remake the chain using a slightly larger hook, or consciously loosen your tension. You can also steam-block the soles before joining them.
• Problem: The two soles are different sizes.
  Fix: It is incredibly common for our tension to change from one day to the next. I highly recommend crocheting all four soles in one sitting to ensure your tension remains perfectly consistent.
• Problem: The ankle strap is too short to tie comfortably.
  Fix: Simply increase the number of starting chains for your laces. You can easily add 5 to 10 extra chains to the ties without affecting the rest of the pattern.
• Problem: The upper section looks loose and floppy.
  Fix: DK yarns can vary in thickness. If your upper feels too loose, try switching to a smaller hook (like a 3.5 mm) for the toe and heel sections to keep the stitches nice and snug.

Care Instructions

Hand wash these sweet sandals in cool water using a gentle baby-safe detergent. Shape them with your fingers while damp, and lay them flat on a clean towel to air dry. Avoid machine washing or tumble drying, as this can cause the puff stitches to lose their beautiful texture.

Final Thoughts

There is nothing more rewarding than seeing a little one wearing something you made with your own two hands. These Fern sandals are a joy to crochet, and they make the ultimate summer accessory. Grab your hook, dive into your scrap basket, and let's make some magic!