Free Baby Bootie Knitting Patterns

These snuggly booties are knitted in one piece -- so they're as easy to make as they are adorable! They make a great gift for a new baby, and they're a terrific first project for a beginning knitter.

Techniques

Binding off -- BO

Casting on -- CO

Knit 2 stitches together -- k2tog

Mattress stitch

Simple cast-on

Weaving in yarn tails

Size

About 3 to 6 months, or best fit. Finished foot length: 41/2 inches (11.5cm)

Gauge

24 stitches/48 rows=4" (10cm) in garter stitch

What You'll Need

Yarn: 100 yards medium-weight wool yarn (about 110 yards/50g)

We used: Jo Sharp Handknitting Yarn (100% wool) #309 cherry, 1 ball

Needles: US size 5 (3.75mm)

Notions: Tapestry needle; 1 yard (1m) ribbon to match (for ties)

Note: Use simple cast-on method to make increases.

Make the Booties

Cast on 46 stitches.

Rows 1 and 2: Knit.

Row 3: Knit 22, increase 1, knit 2, increase 1, knit 22. (48 stitches)

Row 4 Knit.

Row 5: Knit 22, increase 1, knit 4, increase 1, knit 22. (50 stitches)

Row 6: Knit.

Row 7: Knit 22, increase 1, knit 6, increase 1, knit 22. (52 stitches)

Row 8: Knit.

Row 9: Knit 22, increase 1, knit 8, increase 1, knit 22. (54 stitches)

Rows 10-12: Knit.

Row 13: Knit 22, increase 1, knit 10, increase 1, knit 22. (56 stitches)

Rows 14-16: Knit.

Row 17: Knit 22, increase 1, knit 12, increase 1, knit 22. (58 stitches)

Rows 18-30: Knit.

Row 31: Knit 14, increase 1, knit 10, increase 1, knit 10, increase 1, knit 10, increase 1, knit 14. (62 stitches)

Row 32: Knit.

Row 33: Bind off 13 stitches, knit to end of row. (49 stitches)

Row 34: Bind off 13 stitches, knit to end of row. (36 stitches)

Rows 35-46: Knit.

Row 47: Knit 2, knit 2 together, [knit 4, knit 2 together] 5 times, knit 2. (30 stitches)

Row 48: Knit.

Row 49: Knit 1, knit 2 together, [knit 3, knit 2 together] 5 times, knit 2. (24 stitches)

Row 50: Knit.

Row 51: Knit 1, knit 2 together, [knit 2, knit 2 together] 5 times, knit 1. (18 stitches)

Row 52: Knit.

Row 53: Knit 2 together to end of row. (9 stitches)

Finishing

Cut yarn about 18" (46cm) from end of work. Thread yarn tail on tapestry needle and insert through remaining 9 stitches. Pull yarn firmly, closing toe stitches together. With same yarn and needle, seam instep edges together from toe to beginning of bind-off. Don't seam bind-off edges.

Insert needle and thread to wrong side of work, and weave through several stitches to secure. Cut another 18" (46cm) of yarn from main ball; thread on tapestry needle. Fold bootie in half, and with right sides facing, sew back seam together using mattress stitch. Thread all yarn ends to wrong side of work, and weave through several stitches to secure.

Repeat all steps for second bootie.

Ties: Cut 1 yard (39.5cm) ribbon into 2 equal lengths. Thread 1 piece on tapestry needle; weave through stitches around ankle of bootie. Tie ends into a bow in front. Repeat for second bootie.

If you are knitting for a little baby girl, why not try the next free pattern.

For more helpful knitting tips and interesting patterns, try:

These soft-and-silky booties are as cute as a classic pair of Mary Janes. Knit in the softest cashmere blend, they make a perfect foot covering for baby.

Size

0-6 months

Foot length: Approximately 3 inches (7.5cm)

Ankle: Approximately 4 inches (10cm) circumference with strap buttoned

What You'll Need

Yarn: Sport weight yarn, 137 yards [125m]

We used: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% merino wool, 33% microfiber, 12% cashmere; 137 yards [125 meters] per 50g skein): #605 (blue), #506 (yellow), #601 (pink), 1 skein per pair

Needles: US size 3 (3.25mm)

Notions: Stitch holder; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons, about 1/4-1/2" (6-1.3cm); sewing needle and thread to match yarn

Gauge

24 stitches and 52 rows=4" (10cm)

Making the Left Bootie

Cast on 31 stitches.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.

Row 2: Knit 1, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 1. (35 stitches)

Row 3: Knit.

Row 4: Knit 2, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 3, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 2. (39 stitches)

Row 5: Knit.

Row 6: Knit 3, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 5, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 3. (43 stitches)

Row 7: Knit.

Row 8: Knit 4, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 7, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 4. (47 stitches)

Rows 9-17: Knit all stitches.

Row 18: Knit 15, (work slip slip knit decrease) 4 times, knit 1, (knit 2 together) 4 times, knit 15. (39 stitches)

Row 19: Knit.

Row 20: Knit 9, beginning with next 2 stitches bind off 21 stitches, knit across remaining 9 stitches. (This includes 1 stitch already on right needle after the bind-off.)

Put first set of 9 stitches on holder.

Rows 21-23: Knit 9 stitches on needle.

Bind off all 9 stitches; cut yarn.

Rejoin yarn where you started binding off 21 stitches. Cast on 12 stitches using cable cast-on method.

Row 21: Knit across 12 new stitches and 9 from holder. (21 stitches total)

Row 22 (buttonhole row): Knit 18, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 1. (21 stitches on needle)

Row 23: Knit.

Bind off all stitches.

Making the Right Bootie

Work same as for left bootie through row 20. Put first set of 9 stitches on holder.

Row 21: Knit 9 stitches on needle; turn work and cast on 12 stitches at end of row using cable cast-on method.

Row 22: Knit 21 stitches (beginning with the 12 new stitches).

Row 23 (buttonhole row): Knit 18, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 1.

Row 24: Knit all 21 stitches.

Bind off all stitches on needle. Cut yarn leaving 40 (10cm) tail to weave in later. Rejoin yarn to stitches on holder.

Rows 21-23: Knit 9 stitches on needle.

Bind off all stitches.

Finishing

Fold bootie with wrong sides together, and using the invisible seam for garter stitch, sew together back of bootie.

Bottom edges: With wrong sides together, whipstitch cast-on edges together.

Buttons: On the outside of the bootie, opposite the strap side, attach button with sewing needle and matching thread (used doubled), stitching through the holes in the button (or over a button shank) several times. Weave sewing thread through several stitches to secure. (Note: Small buttons may pose a choking hazard, so be sure to stitch securely to bootie.)

Weave in all yarn ends to wrong side of work.

For more helpful knitting tips and interesting patterns, try:

Contributing designer: Lucie Sinkler