Best foot forward
Take things up a notch in the style stakes with these gladiator sandals designed by Matt Spiers.
Put a crochet spin on the current trend for statement sandals with this gorgeous DIY embellished pair. The cleverly-linked motifs and chained laces with tassels make for showstopping footwear. You’ll just need a pair of strappy sandals with a central ring to attach the crochet to. Flat sandals g ve the perfect boho- chic vibe, but heels will work just as well if that’s more your style. Match the colour of your sandals to the crochet for a co- ordinating look, or glam it up with silver or gold. NOTES Only turn when specifically told, otherwise RS should always be facing. See Chart on p75. Numbers of motifs are given for each sandal, so you will need to repeat the motifs made for the second sandal.
TWO LEAF MOTIF !MAKE 8" Ch26.
Row 1 (RS) Starting in second ch from hook, *dc in next 2 ch (place marker in first of these 2 dc), (2dc in next ch, dc in next ch) twice, ch5, ss in top of last dc made, (dc in next ch, 2dc in next ch) twice, dc in next 2 ch, ss in marked st**, ch1, skip 1 ch; repeat from * to **, ss into first dc of Row 1, ch5, turn, skip ss at base of chains and ss into next ss (the last ss of second repeated section). Fasten off and weave in all ends.
INITIAL JOINING OVAL !MAKE 1"
Oval joins two of the Two- Leaf Motifs. Ch24, ss in first ch to make a ring, being careful not to twist the ch.
Round 1 (RS) Ch1, dc in next ch, 2dc in next ch, *ch1, turn, with WS facing (of both the Oval and the Two Leaf Motif), ss into ch-5 loop at top leaf of first Two- Leaf Motif, ch1, turn so RS facing, ss in top of last dc made**, (dc in next 2 ch, 2dc in next ch) twice, dc in next 2 ch, repeat from * to ** working into ch-5 loop on bottom leaf of first two-leaf motif, 2dc in next ch, dc in next 2 ch, 2dc in next ch, repeat from * to ** working into ch-5 loop on bottom leaf of second Two- Leaf Motif, (dc in next 2 ch, 2dc in next ch) twice, dc in next 2 ch, repeat from * to ** working into ch-5 loop on top leaf of second Two- Leaf Motif, 2dc in next ch, dc in next ch, ss in first dc.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.
SECOND JOINING OVAL !MAKE 3"
Work as Initial Joining Oval, but on the first and the last joins of the Oval, join also into
the ch-5 loops at the bottom of the first section made (see Chart).
SANDAL JOIN OVAL !MAKE 1"
Work as for Initial Joining Oval, but skip the first and last set of joins. On the other two joins, join also to the ch-5 loops of the last section made (see Chart), do not fasten off, turn.
Row 2 Ch1, dc into each of the last two stitches, inserting the hook into the loop of the sandal at the same time to join.
Fasten off and weave in ends.
LACES !MAKE 2"
You can test if you need to adjust this length by lacing up the sandals with a single piece of yarn first, allowing excess for tying a bow/knot.
Row 1 Leaving a starting tail of approximately 15cm, ch400 (or as many chains as required for a length of around 1.5m. Fasten off, leaving a tail of approximately 15cm. With WS facing, thread a lace through the two ch-5 loops of bottom motif nearest to sandal (you may find it easier if you use your hook to pull the lace through the loop), then evenly lace up crossing over each time.
TASSEL CAP !MAKE 4"
Ch4, ss in first ch to make a ring.
Round 1 Ch1 (does not count as st throughout), 8dc into ring, ss into first dc. [8 sts] Round 2 Ch1, dc in each st around, ss into first dc. [8 sts] Round 3 Ch1, *dc in next 2 sts, dc2tog* repeat twice, ss into first dc. [6 sts] Fasten off and weave in all ends. Thread the Tassel Caps onto the ends of the Laces so that the open end faces the end of the lace.
TASSEL !MAKE 4"
Cut five 20cm lengths of yarn. Fold the lengths in half together. Use the tail of the Lace to tie the Tassels at the fold as close to the end of the chain length as possible. Slip the Tassel Cap down over the knot. Trim the Tassel so that it measures 3cm from the bottom of the Tassel Cap, and use a needle to split and fray the Tassel threads.