Classic Espadrilles

Classic Espadrilles by MariyaStany

Project Overview

Classic Espadrilles are crocheted slippers designed by independent designer MariyaStany. This intermediate-level crochet project combines sport weight yarn with jute twine to create comfortable, wearable footwear featuring structured soles and a finished upper. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and offers a practical introduction to constructing fitted garments using fundamental crochet techniques.

What Is Being Made

These espadrilles are slip-on style slippers constructed with two primary components: a reinforced sole made from jute yarn and a crocheted upper made from sport weight cotton-blend yarn. The finished slippers feature optional decorative leather or wooden labels. The design accommodates multiple sizes, with sole construction requiring varying amounts of materials depending on the desired fit.

Materials Required

• Yarn: Sport weight yarn at 160 meters per 50 grams (174 yards per 50 grams). The pattern specifies YarnArt Jeams, a blend of 55% cotton and 45% polyacrylic, though alternative yarns of similar weight are acceptable. Approximately 30–40 grams of cotton yarn is needed for the upper portion.
• Jute Twine: 2 mm jute yarn in a 3-ply construction, totaling 110 meters per 100 grams. For a complete pair of soles, 120–140 grams of jute yarn is required, with the exact amount varying by size.
• Crochet Hooks: US-C (2.5 mm) hook for working with cotton yarn and US-E/4 (3.5 mm) hook for jute yarn. Metal hooks are recommended for durability and smooth stitching.
• Optional Embellishment: Leather or wooden labels for decoration.

Crochet Techniques and Stitches

This intermediate project employs essential crochet stitches and techniques to construct the espadrilles. The pattern uses the following foundational stitches:

• Single Crochet (sc): A basic short stitch used for tight, dense fabric.
• Half Double Crochet (hdc): A medium-height stitch providing moderate density and drape.
• Double Crochet (dc): A taller stitch creating a more open fabric structure.
• Chain (ch): The foundation stitch used to create the base of the work.
• Slip Stitch (sl): A joining stitch used to connect rounds or secure yarn.
• Increases (inc): Technique for expanding stitch count within rows or rounds.
• Decreases (dec): Method of reducing stitch count by crocheting two stitches together.
• Skip Stitch (sk): Technique for skipping designated stitches to shape the fabric.

Construction Method

The espadrilles are constructed beginning with the soles using jute yarn and the US-E/4 (3.5 mm) crochet hook. The pattern provides specific guidance on row transitions to prevent shifting at the beginning of rows, offering multiple methods (referenced as fig.1 and fig.2) for starting each row. This attention to detail ensures neat, professional-looking seams and consistent shaping throughout the sole construction. The upper portion is subsequently worked using the sport weight cotton-blend yarn with the smaller US-C (2.5 mm) hook, allowing for a finer, more refined finish that contrasts with the sturdy jute sole.

Skill Level

Classified as intermediate difficulty, this project requires familiarity with basic crochet stitches and the ability to follow multi-step instructions. Crafters should be comfortable with stitch abbreviations, increases, decreases, and working in both rows and rounds. The project builds practical skills in garment construction and working with specialty materials like jute twine.