Easy Crochet Pattern For Adorable Baby Mary Janes

Baby shoes are adorable, and these crocheted Mary Janes are no exception. The shoes are made with two colours of yarn and are worked in continuous rounds. The pattern is available in sizes ranging from newborn to 18 months, and there are also instructions for making the shoes two-toned. The designer recommends using a G hook and worsted weight yarn, and the pattern includes a list of abbreviations and a gauge.

Choosing the right yarn and hook size

Yarn Selection:

• Yarn Weight: For crochet baby Mary Jane shoes, it is recommended to use medium weight yarn, also known as worsted weight or aran weight yarn. This type of yarn is labelled as a "4" on the yarn label, indicating its weight category. Medium weight yarn will provide the right balance of warmth and breathability for baby shoes.
• Yarn Fiber: Opt for soft acrylic yarn or a blend that includes acrylic. Acrylic yarn is easy to work with, durable, and machine washable, making it ideal for baby projects. You can also consider cotton blends or wool for added softness and comfort.
• Yarn Amount: The amount of yarn required will depend on the size of the shoes you are making. For instance, the pattern provided by Whistle and Ivy for 3-6-month-old babies requires approximately 44 grams of yarn. It is always a good idea to have a little extra yarn on hand in case of mistakes or adjustments.

Hook Size Selection:

• Hook Size Recommendation: The recommended hook size for medium weight yarn is typically an I/9 (5.5 mm) hook. However, you may need to adjust the hook size based on your tension and the specific yarn you are using.
• Gauge: To ensure your shoes turn out the correct size, it is essential to check your gauge before starting. The pattern from AllFreeCrochet.com suggests a gauge of 13 stitches and 14 rows measuring 4 inches using two strands of yarn and single crochet stitches. Work up a small swatch to match this gauge before beginning your project.
• Adjusting Hook Size: If your stitches are too tight and you are not meeting the gauge, try using a larger hook size. Conversely, if your stitches are too loose, switch to a smaller hook size. Remember that the hook size can significantly impact the final size of your crochet baby Mary Jane shoes.

By carefully selecting the right yarn and hook size, you can ensure that your crochet baby Mary Jane shoes will be comfortable, well-fitting, and adorable for your little one!

Basic stitches: single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet

Single crochet (SC) is one of the six basic crochet stitches and is a beginner-friendly stitch that's easy to learn and fun to crochet. It is versatile and can be worked in rows, joined rounds, or spiral rounds, and in different parts of the stitch for ribbing stitches. It can also be used to make edges, borders, and seams.

To make a single crochet stitch:

• Insert the hook into the next stitch, yarn over, and pull up a loop.
• Yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook.

Half double crochet (HDC) is a type of stitch that falls in between a single crochet and a double crochet in height. Instead of working off two loops at a time, you draw the yarn through three loops on the hook. It produces a fairly tight fabric similar to one made with a single crochet stitch.

To make a half double crochet stitch:

• Do 15 chain stitches to create the foundation chain.
• Chain two more stitches to create the turning chain.
• Yarn over the hook and insert your hook in the third chain from the hook.
• Yarn over the hook and gently pull the wrapped hook through the centre of the chain stitch, carrying the wrapped yarn through the stitch. You should have three loops on your hook.
• Yarn over the hook and draw your yarn through all three loops on your hook.
• Begin in the next chain of the foundation chain.
• Work one HDC stitch in each successive chain across the foundation chain.
• You will have 16 HDC stitches at the end of Row 1 (counting the turning chain as one HDC stitch).
• Chain two and yarn over the hook to start Row 2.
• Skipping the first stitch of the row directly below the turning chain, insert your hook in the next stitch.
• Repeat the preceding steps in each of the next 14 HDC stitches.
• Work one HDC in the top chain of the previous row’s turning chain.
• You should have 16 HDC stitches in Row 2 (counting the turning chain as one HDC).

Double crochet is a taller stitch than single crochet. It is formed by a "yarn over," which is wrapping yarn from back to front before placing the hook in the stitch.

To make a double crochet stitch:

• Holding the foundation chain in the desired position, yarn over and insert the hook into the fourth chain from the hook.
• Yarn over and pull through the chain. You should have three loops on the hook.
• Yarn over and pull through the first two loops on the hook.
• Yarn over again and pull through the remaining two loops. One double crochet has been made.
• Work one double crochet in each chain to the end.
• At the end of double crochet rows, chain three stitches to achieve the same height as a double crochet. This is called a turning chain and it counts as the first double crochet on the next row, so the first double crochet is actually worked in the second stitch.

Increasing and decreasing stitches

Increasing Stitches

To increase the number of stitches in a round, you can use a variety of techniques, such as:

• Single Crochet Increase (sc inc): This is the most common method for increasing stitches. To do this, you simply work two single crochets into the same stitch. This will add an extra stitch to your round.
• Half Double Crochet Increase (hdc inc): Similar to the sc inc, you work two half double crochets into the same stitch.
• Double Crochet Increase (dc inc): As with the previous methods, you work two double crochets into the same stitch.

Decreasing Stitches

To decrease the number of stitches in a round, you can use techniques such as:

• Single Crochet Decrease (sc dec): This is done by working a single crochet over the next two stitches, effectively decreasing the stitch count by one.
• Half Double Crochet Decrease (hdc dec): This is similar to the sc dec, but you work a half double crochet over the next two stitches.
• Double Crochet Decrease (dc dec): Again, this is similar to the previous methods, but you work a double crochet over the next two stitches.

Applying Increases and Decreases to the Mary Jane Shoes Pattern

When working on the sole of the shoe, you will be increasing stitches to shape the rounded part of the sole. For example, in Round1 of the 0-6 Months size, you will be working 2 sc in the next 5 sts, which will increase the stitch count and create the rounded shape.

When working on the upper part of the shoe, you will be decreasing stitches to shape the shoe and create a snug fit. For instance, in Round 6 of the 3-6 Months size, you will be working sc2tog (single crochet two together) to decrease the stitch count and shape the shoe.

By following the pattern and applying these increasing and decreasing techniques, you will be able to create a pair of adorable crochet baby Mary Jane shoes!

Joining the sole and upper

To begin, you will need to slip stitch the soles together. Place one of each colour of the sole together, with the wrong sides facing and your accent colour on top. Make sure to line up the stitches. With two strands of your main colour, slip stitch through both layers of stitches from the last round.

Now, you will need to locate the starting stitch for Round1 of the Upper. Locate the centre of the heel by laying a hook or needle along the foundation chain of the sole. It should point between two stitches. Starting with the one to the right, count six stitches from the centre and attach your main colour under both loops by making a slip stitch. Make the first sc (single crochet) of Round 1 in the next stitch. When you get to the end of the round, make the last sc in the same space as your starting slip stitch.

Now, you can start on the Upper. The Upper is worked in parts.

For the 0-3 months size, attach your main colour in the 6th slip stitch from the centre of the heel and make the first sc of Round 1 in the next slip stitch.

Round 1: Sc 1, hdc 8, sc 5, hdc 1, dc 10, hdc 1, sc 4, do not join (30)

Round 2: Sc 1, hdc 8, sc 5, hdc 1, hdc2tog, *dc2tog* 3 times, hdc2tog, hdc 1, sc 4 (25)

Round 3: Sc 13, hdc 1, *dc2tog* 4 times, hdc 1, sc 2 (21)

Round 4: Sl st 1, sc2tog, sc 5, sc2tog, sl st 3, ch 6, skip 6 stitches and sl st in 7th stitch, sl st 1, make an invisible join; weave in ends

For the 3-6 months size, attach your main colour in the 6th slip stitch from the centre of the heel and make the first sc of Round 1 in the next slip stitch.

Round 1: Sc 1, hdc 8, sc 6, hdc 1, dc 10, hdc 1, sc 5, do not join (32)

Round 2: Sc 1, hdc 8, sc 6, hdc 1, hdc2tog, *dc2tog* 3 times, hdc2tog, hdc 1, sc 5 (27)

Round 3: Sc 2, hdc 8, sc 5, hdc 1, *dc2tog* 4 times, hdc 1, sc 3 (23)

Round 4: Sl st 1, sc2tog, sc 5, sc2tog, sl st 4, ch 6, skip 6 stitches and sl st in 7th stitch, sl st 1, make an invisible join; weave in ends

For the 6-9 months size, attach your main colour in the 6th slip stitch from the centre of the heel and make the first sc of Round 1 in the next slip stitch.

Round 1: Sc 1, hdc 15, dc 12, hdc 6, do not join (34)

Round 2: Hdc 9, sc 6, hdc 2, hdc2tog, *dc2tog* 3 times, hdc2tog, hdc 2, sc 5 (29)

Round 3: Sc 2, hdc 8, sc 5, hdc 1, *dc2tog* 4 times, hdc 1, sc 4 (25)

Round 4: Sc2tog, hdc 7, sc2tog, sl st 4, ch 7, sk 7 stitches and sl st in 8th, sl st 2, make an invisible join; weave in ends

For the 9-12 months size, attach your main colour in the 6th slip stitch from the centre of the heel and make the first sc of Round 1 in the next slip stitch.

Round 1: Sc 1, hdc 16, dc 12, hdc 7, do not join (36)

Round 2: Hdc 9, sc 7, hdc 1, dc 1, *dc2tog* 5 times, dc 1, hdc 1, sc 6 (31)

Round 3: Sc 2, hdc 8, sc 6, hdc 1, *dc2tog* 4 times, hdc 1, sc 5 (27)

Round 4: Sc2tog, hdc 7, sc2tog, sl st 5, ch 7, sk 7 stitches and sl st in 8th, sl st 3, make an invisible join; weave in ends

Adding the strap and button

Now that you have the upper and lower portions of the shoe ready, it is time to add the strap and button. This is what makes these shoes Mary Janes!

Attaching the strap

The strap is what makes these shoes Mary Janes. You can make the button functional or decorative, depending on your preference. If you are making the button functional, be sure to seal the threads with super glue or clear nail polish so that there is no risk of the button coming off.

For the right shoe, slip stitch 12 stitches. Chain 9. Single crochet into the fifth chain from the hook. Single crochet in the next four stitches. Slip stitch into the next stitch on the shoe. Slip stitch in the next 14 stitches.

For the left shoe, slip stitch in the next 23 stitches. Chain 9. Single crochet into the fifth chain from the hook. Single crochet in the next four stitches. Slip stitch into the next stitch on the shoe. Slip stitch in the next three stitches.

Sewing the button

Attach a small button on the opposite side of the strap with a needle and thread. Make sure it is very secure, and seal the button's threads with a dot of super glue or fingernail polish over where they cross on the button.

Frequently asked questions