Ladies’ Ballet Slippers

Since tackling my very first baby bootie, I’ve been working on a steady upward climb leading toward the larger sizes.

However, coming up with a uniform pattern for larger sizes is REALLY tricky when you only have one size (your own) to draw from! I’m the only lady in my house…

So, what can you do when you need to come up with a pattern that’s tested and works and is simple enough to follow? You look through the free offerings online, of course. There are literally hundreds–if not thousands, of free pickings to search through and my philosophy when it comes to things like this is, why reinvent the wheel?

So, in order to simplify things for all of us, I went on a hunt for the simplest pattern I could find to build on–and that was provided by Bernat.

Their pattern for Spa Slippers is the perfect building block to transform into ballet slippers! However, beware that there is a TON of counting involved. Sadly, counting is something that just comes with the territory when you scale things up. Make sure you carve out a block of time to work these when you won’t be distracted by the phone, the kids, the door, or anything else that will run you off the rails.

Follow the pattern exactly for the SOLE. The pattern is written to fit ladies’ shoe sizes S (5-6), M (7-8), and L (9-10).

Important Pattern Notes:  In the pattern you will see an odd abbreviation: Rem loop. It translates to Remaining loop.

Bernat Spa Slippers
MEASUREMENTS – To fit Ladies’ shoe sizes S (5-6), M (7-8) and L (9-10).

SOLE (make 2) –
With MC, ch 26 (M28-L30).

Rnd 1: (RS). 1 dc in 4th ch from hook. 1 dc in each of next 21 (M23-L25) ch. 5 dc in
last ch. Working into rem loop on opposite side of foundation ch, 1 dc in each
of next 21 (23-25) ch. 3 dc in last ch. Join with sl st in top of ch 3. 52 (M56-
L60) dc.

Rnd 2: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. 2 dc in next dc. 1 dc in each of next 21
(M23-L25) dc. 2 dc in each of next 5 dc. 1 dc in each of next 21 (23-25) dc. 2
dc in each of last 3 dc. Join with sl st in top of ch 3.

Rnd 3: Ch 3. 1 dc in same sp as last sl st. 2 dc in each of next 3 dc. 1 dc in each of
next 4 dc. 1 hdc in each of next 4 dc. 1 sc in each of next 9 (M11-L13) dc. 1
hdc in each of next 4 dc. 2 hdc in each of next 10 dc (heel). 1 hdc in each of
next 4 dc. 1 sc in each of next 9 (M11-L13) dc. 1 hdc in each of next 4 dc. 1
dc in each of next 4 dc. 2 dc in each of next 6 dc. Join with sl st in top of ch 3.
Fasten off (toe).

When you have finished, you should have a basic slipper sole like this one.

Before moving on, double check that your sole is the correct size. Even though I followed the Bernat pattern exactly, I still wound up with a size too small. I think that has everything to do with how tightly I crochet and the fact that the original pattern does not have any gauge information listed.

My suggestion is to take how you crochet into consideration before starting and size your hook up to an H or even an I if you crochet tightly like me!

Now, onward to the toe top. As of this writing, the ballet slipper pattern is yet untested for the size S (5-6) and L (9-10). As I work them out and make a pair of each, I’ll update the blog to reflect what I’ve found and to correct the pattern where needed.

My head tells me that this pattern will work universally with all sizes but until I test it myself (or get feedback from anyone out there willing to test and report back), I can’t give you a guarantee.

Ladies’ Ballet Sippers

Materials Needed:

• Size G (4 mm) crochet hook–or hook needed to get correct size
• Any color medium worsted weight yarn (I use Red Heart Super Saver.)
• Tapestry needle
• Two complete soles from the Bernat Spa Slipper Pattern

Stitches used:

• sl st: slip stitch
• sc: single crochet
• dc: double crochet

Decrease stitches used:

• dc2tog: Yarn over, insert the hook into the first stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through 2 loops on the hook, repeat from * for next stitch, yarn over and draw through all remaining loops on hook.
• sc2tog: Insert the hook into the first stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over and draw up a loop, yarn over and draw through all remaining loops on hook.

Ballet Slipper Toe Top

Attach your yarn with a sl st in the back heel of your sole. Ch 1.

Rnd 1:  Working in Back Loops only for this rnd, sc in each st around, sl st in top of beginning ch 1.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 1 dc in each st around, sl st in the top of beginning ch 2.

Rnd 3: Ch 2, dc in the next 5 stitches,  **Pull your loop out and find your center line at the toe. (To find that center line, you will follow the line of your foundation chain up. Your line should fall naturally between the center two stitches that mark the exact middle of your slipper.) Once you find your center line, you will want to count 20 stitches from the center of your toe top toward the side you are working. Once you find that 20th stitch, place a stitch marker through it.** 1 dc in each st to the marker, dc2tog 20 times, 1 dc in each st around to the beginning ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch 2.

Rnd 4: Ch 2, dc in the next 5 stitches, **Repeat exactly what you did in Rnd 3 only this time you will find 10 STITCHES from the center of your toe top toward the side you are working. Once you find that 10th stitch, place a stitch marker through it.**  1 dc in each st to the marker, dc2tog 10 times, 1 dc in each st around to the beginning ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch 2.

Rnd 5: Ch 2, dc in the next 5 stitches, **Repeat exactly what you did in Rnds 3 and 4 only this time you will find 6 STITCHES from the center of your toe top toward the side you are working. Once you find that 6th stitch, place a stitch marker through it.** 1 dc in each st to the marker, dc2tog 6 times, 1 dc in each st around to the beginning ch 2, sl st in top of beginning ch 2.

Rnd 6: ch 1, sc in the next 5 stitches, **Repeat what you’ve already done in your last three Rnds finding the 3 STITCHES from the center of your toe top toward the side you are working. Once you find that 3rd stitch, place a stitch marker through it.** 1 sc in each st to the marker, sc2tog 3 times, 1 sc in each st around to the beginning ch 1, sl st in top of beginning ch 1.

Finish off and weave in your ends.

When you’ve completed your project, you should have an adorable ballet slipper! Add a strap to turn them into cute Mary Jane’s. The possibilities are endless!

If you make a pair and want to contribute to pattern corrections–or just show off your handy work, come visit us at HodgePodge on facebook.

Tagged: Adult Slippers, ballet slippers, Bernat, Booties and Slipper Patterns, Crochet, Crochet Fashions, HodgePodge Crochet, Shop HodgePodge Crochet