Mermaid Flip Flops for KIDS! Crochet Pattern

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Make this summer MERMAZING for the kiddo in your life! These mermaid flip flops are fun and easy to make, and you can adjust the pattern to accommodate different flip flop sizes for kids. The pattern also doesn’t use much yarn at all, and you can use your favorite pair of flip flops if you already have some on hand (I found the ones used in this pattern at the Dollar Store, so you don’t have to break the bank, either)!

(Pin it for later!)

Since this design is so magical, I knew I would need to use a sparkly yarn in my pattern! I turned to an old favorite, and one I use for all my mermaid projects (see my Mermaid Hat and Mermaid Scarf patterns to learn more!). Meet Caron Simply Soft Party, a gorgeous medium weight yarn that comes in pretty jewel tones and contains a metallic sparkle thread running throughout! You can find some in “Purple” (the color I used for these flip flops) on Amazon HERE!

This design will look cute on any flip flops, but since I’m so happy with my choice to get mermaid-themed flip flops, I had to share some of these super cute ones I found that would work well for this project! How cute would these Little Mermaid flip flops be with crocheted scales and a fin on them?! I found them on Amazon – check them out HERE!

The pattern uses the Crocodile Stitch, which I feel is a pretty essential stitch to know if you love making mermaid themed crochet items!! The scales just come out so beautifully three dimensional with this stitch. But don’t worry, if you’ve never done it before, this pattern has lots of photos to guide you through it step by step!

Ready to dress up those sweet feet with some mermaid magic? Then let’s get started!

Supplies
* Caron Simply Soft Party in desired color (“Purple” used in cover photo)
* Size E-4 / 3.5 mm crochet hook for Kids’ Medium (13/1) and Large (2/3) flip flops; Size D-3 / 3.25 mm crochet hook for Kids’ Small (11/12) [Hook size can be moved up or down to accommodate different Flip Flop sizes.]
* Kids’ Flip Flops in desired size
* Yarn Needle
* Scissors

Abbreviations
*= indicates the beginning/end of a section that is to be repeated
BLO = BLO
Ch = chain
Croc St = crocodile stitch
Dc = double crochet
Sc = single crochet
St = stitch
Rem = rem
Rep = repeat

Size
Varies; Mermaid Scales measure about  3.75 inches wide (at widest point) by 2 inches in length (before fin) for Kids’ Medium (13/1) and Large (2/3) flip flops

Gauge
Exact Gauge is not essential to this project.

Notes
* Scales are worked from bottom tip upwards, in alternating rows of 2dc cluster/dc rows, and croc st/sc rows. One increase occurs each row (either a 2dc cluster/dc increase, or croc st/sc increase).
* At the end of each crocodile stitch row, work will already be turned from creating last croc st. At the end of each 2dc cluster row, work will not be turned until after the first half of the croc in the following row is made. Therefore, instructions do not include a “turn” at the end of each row.

Here is a diagram of the order in which the double crochet stitches of the crocodile stitch are worked:

Instructions
Mermaid Scales
Row 1 – Ch 4, Dc in 4th ch from hook – counts as 2dc cluster (Fig.1). Ch 1 (1 dc)
Row 2 – Croc st around two posts (dc from last row, and ch from Ch 4 of last row), working up towards the top of second post while creating second half of croc st (Figs. 2-4). Ch 4 (Fig. 5). (1 croc st)

Row 3 – Dc in same st – counts as 2dc cluster (Fig. 6). Ch 1. Dc in center of croc st below (Fig. 7), ch 1. In outer edge of last croc st, [dc, ch 1, dc] (Fig. 8) (2dc cluster made). Ch 1 (2 2dc clusters made, 1 dc)
Row 4 – Croc st around first 2dc cluster, turning work while creating second half of croc st (Figs. 9-11). Sc in next dc, croc st around last 2dc cluster (Figs 12 & 13). Ch 4 (2 croc sts, 1 sc)

Row 5 – Dc in same st, ch 1. Dc in center of next croc, ch 1. In next sc, [dc, ch 1, dc]. Ch 1, dc in center of next croc, ch 1. In outer edge of last croc, [Dc, ch 1, dc]. Ch 1 (3 2dc clusters, 2 dc)
Row 6 – *Croc st around first 2dc cluster, turning work while creating second half of croc st. Sc in next dc.* Rep from * to * once more. Croc st around last 2dc cluster. Ch 4 (3 croc sts, 2 sc)

Edging
Working around sides of piece in BLO (Fig 14), *sc in first 3 sts of next croc, ch 2 (Fig 15)*; rep from * to * 4 times, making final 3 sc in first sts of first croc st from Row 6. Do not ch 2 at the end of last rep.
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Fin
Piece is worked in BLO (Fig 16)

Ch 7.
Row 1 – Sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each st across. Ch 1, turn (6 sc)
Row 2 – Sc in next 5 sts, leave rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (5 sc)
Row 3 – Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (Fig 17) (5 sc)
Row 4 – Sc in next 4 sts, leave rem st unworked. Ch 1, turn (4 sc)
Row 5 – Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (4 sc)
Row 6 – Sc in next 3 sts, 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (Fig 18) (5 sc)
Row 7 – Sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn (5 sc)
Row 8 – Sc in next 4 sts, 2 sc in last st. Ch 1, turn (6 sc)
Row 9 – Sc in each st across (Fig 19) (6 sc).
Sc 3 sts evenly across top of Fin, making last sc in first sc of first Row (Fig 20).
Fasten off, leaving long tail for sewing.

Straps

Attach yarn around right strap and ch 1 (Figs 21 & 22). Sc 12 around each strap (Figs 23 – 27). Fasten off.

Finishing
Weave in all ends except long tail left from finishing off Mermaid Scales. Sew sts of Straps along the edges of Mermaid Scales (Fig 28). Sew fin to bottom peak of Scales (on top of plastic piece that goes between toes). Weave in ends.

Here are the finished Mermaid Flip Flops!

Thanks so much for crocheting these Mermaid Flip Flops along with me! If you love fun patterns like this one, please be sure to subscribe to my email list and follow me on social media to stay up to date. I have lots more patterns coming soon!

COPYRIGHT:
This pattern is owned by Crafty Kitty Crochet (Melissa Moore). Any reselling or distribution of this pattern is prohibited. Sale of items made using this pattern is welcomed, but I do ask that credit/a link be provided back to my site, craftykittycrochet.com.