5. Moccasin-Style Suede-Sole Slippers with Jute Cord Ties
What This Idea Means
Combining rustic woodland design with durable natural materials, these booties feature a pre-punched genuine suede leather base joined directly to a textured moss-stitch crochet upper, tied off with raw jute or leather cord.
Materials Needed
- 50 g DK-weight 100% Unmercerized Pima Cotton in Warm Desert Sand
- Pair of pre-punched oval baby suede leather soles (3.5 or 4 inches)
- 2.75 mm (US C/2) and 3.50 mm (US E/4) crochet hooks
- 1 yard of 2 mm genuine round leather cord or soft waxed jute twine
How to Make It
- Sole Connection: Use the 2.75 mm hook to pick up stitches through the pre-punched holes in the suede sole using single crochet.
- Upper Transition: Switch to the 3.50 mm hook and work three rounds of herringbone half double crochet (hhdc) upward around the sole perimeter.
- Moccasin Tongue: Crochet a separate U-shaped instep tongue in textured seed stitch.
- Whipstitch Assembly: Join the tongue to the front foot walls using visible whipstitching with matching cotton yarn for an authentic moccasin finish.
- Ankle Collar: Work two rounds of textured single crochet around the back heel and sides of the ankle.
- Lacing: Weave the leather cord through the side collars and over the tongue, knotting the ends securely.
Tips and Variations
- Suede Care: Use pre-treated washable suede or vegan micro-suede bases to allow gentle hand-washing.
- Fringe Detail: Add a 1-inch tiered yarn fringe around the ankle collar for a classic bohemian moccasin look.
- Raw Wool Upper: Substitute cotton with rustic unspun Icelandic wool for cozy winter styling.