Last summer, I ruined my favorite pair of sandals at a beach bonfire. Sand, saltwater, and a little too much dancing did them in completely. I stood in my closet the next morning, staring at the sad remains, and thought, "What if I could just make my own?" That moment sent me down a rabbit hole of crochet footwear experiments. After three prototypes and a lot of measuring, I finally created these boho gladiator sandals. They are everything I wanted: lightweight, stunning, and surprisingly comfortable for warm weather adventures.
These Ocean Blue Boho Crochet Gladiator Sandals combine circular motifs with a touch of golden sunshine at the center. The design features a gorgeous lacy openwork pattern that looks intricate but is actually built from simple repeating circles. If you have ever wanted to try crochet footwear, this is a wonderful place to start.
Why You Will Love This Crochet Sandal Pattern
This crochet pattern creates a stunning pair of gladiator-style sandals that attach to a leather or faux leather sole. The upper portion features joined circular motifs in a deep teal blue with contrasting golden yellow centers. The result is a bohemian, eye-catching accessory perfect for summer outings, beach trips, or festival wear.
The construction is modular, meaning you will crochet individual motifs and then join them together. This makes the project portable and allows you to work on it in small sessions. Each motif takes roughly 15 to 20 minutes once you get the rhythm down.
Skill level: Intermediate. You should be comfortable working in the round, joining motifs, and following a repeating pattern. If you have made granny squares before, you can absolutely do this.
Materials Needed for Your Crochet Gladiator Sandals
Gathering the right supplies before you begin will make this project smooth and enjoyable.
Yarn:
Cotton yarn is essential here. It provides structure, washes easily, and will not stretch out with wear the way acrylic might. Look for a mercerized cotton if you want extra sheen and durability.
Hook:
Additional Supplies:
Gauge and Sizing
Gauge: Each completed motif should measure approximately 2.5 inches in diameter.
Sizing: This pattern is written for a women’s size 7 to 8 US foot. To adjust sizing, you can add or remove motifs along the foot length and ankle height. The sandal sole you purchase should match your actual foot size.
Before starting, I recommend measuring your foot and comparing it to your chosen sole. The crochet upper has some stretch, but proper sole sizing is important for comfort.
Abbreviations and Stitch Definitions
Let me walk you through every stitch you will use. Even if you know these well, a quick review never hurts.
Ch (chain): Yarn over, pull through the loop on your hook. This creates a foundation or adds height.
Sl st (slip stitch): Insert hook, yarn over, pull through both the stitch and the loop on your hook in one motion. Used for joining and moving across stitches without adding height.
Sc (single crochet): Insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (two loops on hook), yarn over and pull through both loops. A short, dense stitch.
Dc (double crochet): Yarn over, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (three loops on hook), yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull through remaining two loops. A taller stitch that creates nice drape.
Tr (treble crochet): Yarn over twice, insert hook into stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop (four loops on hook), [yarn over and pull through two loops] three times. An even taller stitch used in the outer rounds of each motif.
Magic ring: An adjustable starting loop that allows you to pull the center closed tightly. If you prefer, you can substitute ch 4 and sl st to join as a ring.
Step by Step Crochet Pattern Instructions
Circular Motif (Make 10 Total for Both Sandals)
You will need 5 motifs per sandal. Each motif begins with the golden center and then transitions to teal blue for the outer rounds.
Round 1 (CC, golden yellow):
Make a magic ring.
Ch 3 (counts as first dc throughout), work 11 dc into the ring.
Sl st to top of beginning ch 3 to join.
Pull magic ring closed tightly.
(12 dc)
Round 2 (CC):
Ch 3, dc in same st.
2 dc in each st around.
Sl st to top of ch 3 to join.
Fasten off CC. Weave in end.
(24 dc)
Round 3 (MC, teal blue):
Join MC with a sl st in any st.
Ch 4 (counts as dc plus ch 1), skip next st.
*Dc in next st, ch 1, skip next st.*
Repeat from * to * around.
Sl st to third ch of beginning ch 4 to join.
(12 dc, 12 ch-1 spaces)
Round 4 (MC):
Ch 3.
In same ch-1 space, work (dc, ch 2, 2 dc). This creates your first shell.
*Skip next dc, in next ch-1 space work (2 dc, ch 2, 2 dc).*
Repeat from * to * around.
Sl st to top of ch 3 to join.
(12 shells)
Round 5 (MC):
Sl st into next dc and into ch-2 space.
Ch 4 (counts as tr), work 2 tr in same space.
Ch 2.
*3 tr in next ch-2 space, ch 2.*
Repeat from * to * around.
Sl st to top of ch 4 to join.
Fasten off MC. Weave in ends.
(36 tr total, 12 ch-2 spaces)
Your completed motif should have a lovely sunburst appearance with the golden center peeking through the lacy teal outer rounds.
Joining the Motifs
Lay out your motifs to plan placement before joining. For each sandal, you will need:
To join motifs:
Hold two motifs with wrong sides together.
Working through both layers, join MC in a ch-2 space.
Sc through both ch-2 spaces to join.
Ch 1, sc through next tr of both motifs, ch 1.
Continue joining through 3 to 4 tr groups (approximately one quarter of each motif’s edge).
Fasten off and weave in ends.
The join should be secure but not overly tight. You want the sandal upper to have flexibility.
Ankle Strap
The ankle strap provides closure and keeps the sandal secure on your foot.
Row 1:
Join MC to the top edge of the ankle motif.
Ch 1, work 30 sc evenly along the top curved edge.
Turn.
(30 sc)
Row 2:
Ch 1, sc in each st across.
Turn.
(30 sc)
Rows 3 through 6:
Repeat Row 2.
(30 sc)
Row 7 (strap extension):
Ch 25.
Turn, skip first ch, sc in each ch back toward main strap.
Sl st to join at corner of strap.
Fasten off.
This extended piece will wrap around and secure with the buckle hardware.
Toe Loop
Create a small loop to anchor the sandal between your first and second toe.
Ch 12.
Sl st to form a ring.
Work 15 sc around the ring, covering the chain completely.
Sl st to join.
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for attaching.
Attaching the Crochet Upper to the Sole
This step transforms your crochet pieces into wearable sandals. Take your time here.
Step 1: Using a leather punch or awl, create evenly spaced holes around the perimeter of your sandal sole. Space holes approximately half an inch apart, about a quarter inch from the edge. You will need roughly 40 to 50 holes per sole depending on size.
Step 2: Position your joined motifs on top of the sole. The toe motifs should cover the front of the foot, midfoot motifs cover the arch area, and the ankle motif sits at the heel.
Step 3: Thread a tapestry needle with a long length of MC yarn. Beginning at the toe, whipstitch the crochet upper to the sole by going up through a sole hole, through the edge of a motif, and back down through the next sole hole.
Step 4: Attach the toe loop between the toe motifs, positioning it to sit comfortably between your toes.
Step 5: Continue stitching around the entire perimeter until the upper is fully secured.
Adding the Buckle
Fold the strap extension through the buckle bar. Stitch the end back onto itself to secure. Position the buckle at your preferred tightness for comfortable wear.
Tips for Success
Blocking: Lightly block each motif before joining. This evens out your stitches and makes joining much easier. Wet blocking works well for cotton.
Sole selection: Look for soles with a slight cushion for comfort. Completely flat soles can feel harsh after extended wear.
Reinforcement: For extra durability, you can line the inside of the crochet upper with a thin fabric before attaching to the sole. This prevents stretching over time.
Color variations: This pattern looks beautiful in so many color combinations. Try white with coral centers, black with gold, or sage green with cream.
Care Instructions
Hand wash your crochet sandals in cool water with mild soap. Reshape the motifs while damp and allow to air dry completely before wearing. Avoid machine washing or drying, as this can damage both the crochet work and the leather sole.
Store your sandals stuffed with tissue paper to help them maintain their shape during the off-season.
Final Thoughts on This Boho Crochet Sandal Pattern
Creating your own crochet gladiator sandals is such a rewarding project. You end up with a completely unique pair of shoes that nobody else will have. Every time I wear mine, someone asks where I got them. The look on their face when I say "I made them" is honestly priceless.
This crochet tutorial walks you through every step, from the sunburst motifs to the final buckle attachment. Whether you are making these for yourself or as a handmade gift for someone special, the effort is absolutely worth it. The combination of that deep ocean blue with the sunny golden centers feels like summer captured in yarn.
I hope you love making these as much as I loved designing them. Thank you so much for choosing this pattern for your next project.
If you make these sandals, I would absolutely love to see them! Tag me on Instagram or share a photo on Facebook. Seeing your finished projects genuinely makes my day.
Save this pattern to your Pinterest boards so you can find it when you are ready to start, and please drop a comment below if you give these a try. I always love hearing how projects turn out for you and seeing the color combinations you choose!
