Easy to Knit Baby Booties – Free Pattern
There are tons of slipper and baby bootie patterns to knit and since I stash worsted weight yarn more than anything else that’s what I use to knit the booties. I’ve made tons of these baby booties because they are quick, easy and fun! The bootie is knitted flat in garter stitch and short rows are used to shape the foot. The seam on the bottom and running up through the cuff is nearly invisible. This pattern assumes you already know how to knit and are familiar with basic abbreviations.
Size: Newborn to 9 months
Yarn: 1 skein medium/worsted weight using size 7 needles.
Use size 8 needles with bulky yarn and size 6 or 7 needles with baby or sport weight yarn.
Gauge: 3-4 stitches per inch in garter stitch. To make the overall size smaller go down a needle size.
Instructions:
Cast on 34 sts and knit 12 rows. (garter stitch – every row is knit st) This forms the bottom and the toe.
Row 13: Knit 20 sts, K2tog, then turn. This begins the instep knit across center stitches. (short rows)
With yarn in front, slip a stitch, purl 6, purl 2 together, then turn.
Next row: with yarn in back, slip a stitch, knit 6, knit 2 together, then turn.
Repeat these two rows of sl st, P6, P2tog, turn and sl st, K6, K2tog, turn. Do this 8 times more. You’ll have worked approximately10 rows on these 6 center stitches, picking up 2tog on either end (24 sts) Count your sts as you go. On the last row, don’t turn and knit across to the end.
Cuff: Add a new color as I’ve done and work in K1, P1 ribbing for 20 rows. You can change colors after 18 rows for more contrast or knit 20 and then add your contrast color for 2 more rows. Bind off. I like the taller cuff but it really doesn’t make much difference as long as you knit loosely for a stretchy cuff. Of course, you can knit the cuff in garter stitch if you prefer.
Finishing: With wrong side facing out, bring the edges together and sew the seam across the bottom and up the cuff. Change colors accordingly if you’ve knitted the cuff in contrast yarn. This is great way to use up scraps. To make sure you’ve got enough scrap yarn for the contrast color, start the 2nd bootie on another set of needles and work in main color until you get to the 24 stitches as above. Then split your scrap yarn into 2 equal balls and see how far you get on each bootie cuff! Actually, you could use up even more scrap yarn by knitting both booties at the same time so they’ll match more or less.
Variation – If you’d like ties on your booties include an eyelet row before working the cuff.
K2, yo, P2, yo, P2 until you reach the last 2 sts. Ktog. This creates the holes to thread ribbon or I-cord. I don’t use ties because I find they come undone too easily and I-cord made from worsted is too bulky for my liking. Maybe I-cord from using crochet thread or fingering yarn would work better or a single crochet chain in matching worsted? Have fun experimenting!
ize: Newborn to 9 months
Yarn: 1 skein medium/worsted weight using size 7 needles.
Use size 8 needles with bulky yarn and size 6 or 7 needles with baby or sport weight yarn.
Gauge: 3-4 stitches per inch in garter stitch. To make the overall size smaller go down a needle size.
Instructions:
Cast on 34 sts and knit 12 rows. (garter stitch – every row is knit st) This forms the bottom and the toe.
Row 13: Knit 20 sts, K2tog, then turn. This begins the instep knit across center stitches. (short rows)
With yarn in front, slip a stitch, purl 6, purl 2 together, then turn.
Next row: with yarn in back, slip a stitch, knit 6, knit 2 together, then turn.
Repeat these two rows of sl st, P6, P2tog, turn and sl st, K6, K2tog, turn. Do this 8 times more. You’ll have worked approximately10 rows on these 6 center stitches, picking up 2tog on either end (24 sts) Count your sts as you go. On the last row, don’t turn and knit across to the end.
Cuff: Add a new color as I’ve done and work in K1, P1 ribbing for 20 rows. You can change colors after 18 rows and add a 3rd color or knit 20 and then add your contrast color for 2 more rows. Bind off. I like the taller cuff but it really doesn’t make much difference as long as you knit loosely for a stretchy cuff. Of course, you can knit the cuff in garter stitch if you prefer.
Finishing: With wrong side facing out, bring the edges together and sew the seam across the bottom and up the cuff. Change colors accordingly if you’ve knitted the cuff in contrast yarn. This is great way to use up scraps. To make sure you’ve got enough scrap yarn for the contrast color, start the 2nd bootie on another set of needles and work in main color until you get to the 24 stitches as above. Then split your scrap yarn into 2 equal balls and see how far you get on each bootie cuff! Actually, you could use up even more scrap yarn by knitting both booties at the same time so they’ll match more or less.
Variation – If you’d like ties on your booties include an eyelet row before working the cuff.
K2, yo, P2, yo, P2 until you reach the last 2 sts. Ktog. This creates the holes to thread ribbon or I-cord. I don’t use ties because I find they come undone too easily and I-cord made from worsted is too bulky for my liking. Maybe I-cord from using crochet thread or fingering yarn would work better or a single crochet chain in matching worsted? Have fun experimenting!
I’ve copied this free pattern to a one-page pdf file for easy reference. Click HERE.
About Author
