yay recycling!

I wasn’t going to put this tutorial up until I had a full pair to model and show off, but I’m not able to knit today, so I figured I’d write this up while it was still fresh in my mind anyway. (I’ll add more pictures later today.)

I had 2 problems: I couldn’t find a pair of hot pink flats that I could afford, and I had a couple pairs of flip flops that are well past their prime, but I felt guilty letting them clog up the local landfill. (Our thrift store throws out used flip flops, and with good reason. Ick.) The obvious solution was to combine the two and make myself some shoes!

I can’t take credit for the idea, but the pattern is all mine.

A note about the pattern:
I could charge for this, but I’m providing it out of the goodness of my heart and the love of the knitting community at large. Please DO NOT sell this pattern or shoes made from it! I will find you, and that would be ugly. ♥

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KNITTED ESPADRILLES

You will need:
An old pair of flip flops
Worsted-weight yarn (I used good ol’ reliable Red Heart)
Knitting needles size 8, and 1 dpn of approximately the same size (for the bind-off)
Big upholstery needle
2-ply jute twine
Crochet hook size G or H
Strong waterproof glue
Straight pins
2 yards (or more) 1/4″ ribbon

SIZING AND FIT

Because you knit to the length of the sole, and the shoe is meant to be tied on, these will fit any size foot. If you have a narrow foot and want the shoes to fit tightly, you will want to cut the flip flops down to size – I have an average size foot, and these are pretty wide at the heel. Also, this is a very shallow shoe, and will not stay on the foot without the ankle ties – depending on your tolerance for things shifting around on your foot, you may want to try adjusting the width of the side panels.

PREPARATION

Cut the uppers off the flip flops. Wind off a generous small ball of yarn – you’ll need that later, when the top is divided.

KNITTING THE UPPER

CO 8 stitches. Purl 1 row.
Row 2: K1, M1, k across to last st, M1, k1 (2 sts increased)
Row 3: P
Repeat rows 2 & 3 until you have 24 sts.
Work 4 rows even in stockinette st.

Divide upper (RS): K8, join second ball of yarn, BO 8 sts, K8. From now on, you’ll be working the 2 sides at the same time, from separate balls of yarn.

On the next 2 rows (one WS, one RS), decrease 1 st on the inner edge of each side – 6 sts each side.
Continue straight in st st until you’re approximately 2″ from the center back of the heel (measured on the sole).
Increase 1 st on the outer edge of each side, RS rows only, twice – 8 sts each side.
Continue in st st until the side pieces meet at the center back of the heel, lightly stretched.

Holding the sides parallel, WS together, join with a 3-needle BO.

EDGING

Attach the yarn at the center back seam. Working in reverse sc (left to right), work a round of sc around the opening of the upper, skipping the “corner” sts where the upper divided for the sides. Join with a sl st at the end of the round, ch 6, sl st in same st, fasten off. (You just made the loop that holds the ribbon ties.)

ASSEMBLY

Thread the upholstery needle with a length of yarn. Anchor the center of the upper toe to the center of the sole toe, knot, and cut yarn.

Reattach yarn at the back seam of the upper, and begin sewing the upper to the sole at the center heel, easing the upper to fit. It’s surprisingly easy to stitch through foam. I found it was best to stitch at an angle, from the upper downward – you don’t really want to be walking on your stitches, as you’ll wear the yarn right off in no time, so try not to sew straight down through to the bottom of the sole.

TRIM AND FINISHING

Using the jute, ch until you have enough sts to wrap all the way around the sole without overlapping, plus 2. Hdc in the 3rd ch from hook, and in each ch to the end. Fasten off.

Starting from the center of the heel, spread glue in about a 2″ section at a time, covering the stitches that attach the upper to the sole, and apply the jute trim – base chain side up – securing with straight pins as you work. Allow to dry, checking on it about halfway through, and pressing firmly to make sure the trim is attached as flat and smoothly as possible.

When thoroughly dry, carefully remove the pins.

Cut the ribbon into two 3-foot pieces, angling the ends. Pull through the heel loops, secure with an overhand knot.

Voila!

~ by Casey on 2 April 2007.