How to knit baby booties

Learn how to knit baby booties with this quick and easy design created by Monica Russel for Simply Knitting issue 142.

These plain-looking baby booties have a little secret: a pretty lace pattern on the soles. They’re simple to knit as they’re worked flat and then sewn up, so there’s no heel turning or Kitchener stitching to think about. This makes them ideal for knitting on the go, or as a speedy last-minute gift – and we think baby will love wearing them too!

The yarn originally used for this project, Patons Fairytale Merino Mix DK, has unfortunately been discontinued. If you're looking for an alternative, we would suggest you try the Sirdar Snuggly Dk yarn instead.

New parents will appreciate having some bigger hand-knits for baby to wear, as their little one will quickly grow out of their smallest clothes, so our pattern includes three sizes, from newborn to 12 months. It’s a good idea to go for a bigger size than they currently need – or, if you have enough time, why not make all three pairs?

Celebrate a new arrival with our cute knits for little ones. Knit a baby sunhat with our free pattern, or try our Matinee jacket knitting pattern.  For tiny babie, use our Free premature baby knitting pattern or our basic baby hat knitting pattern to keep them warm. Our Free elephant knitting pattern gives them a pal to cuddle up with. You can browse our best baby knitting patterns for more ideas, too.

Using the picot technique to cast off gives the top edge of these booties its sweet frilly look.

To knit baby booties you will need:

• Sirdar Snuggly Dk (45% Acrylic, 55 % Nylon, 50g/165m), 1 ball of Sorbet (509)
• A pair of 4mm knitting needles
• A tapestry needle

How to knit baby booties

Check out our knitting abbreviations for the terms used in this pattern.

Tension

Yarn used knits as DK to this tension: 22 sts and 30 rows to measure 10x10cm over st st using 4mm needles

Sizes

Newborn-3 months (3-6 months: 6-12 months)

Cast on your baby bootees

Cast on 27 (35: 43) sts using 4mm needles.

Row 1 (WS) Ktbl to end.

Row 2 K1, yo, K12 (16: 20), yo, K1, yo, K12 (16: 20), yo, K1. [31 (39: 47) sts]

Row 3 Knit.

Row 4 K1, yo, K14 (18: 22), yo, K1, yo, K14 (18: 22), yo, K1. [35 (43: 51) sts]

Row 5 Knit.

Row 6 K1, yo, K16 (20: 24), yo, K1, yo, K16 (20: 24), yo, K1. [39 (47: 55) sts]

Rows 7–17 Knit.

Shape baby booties toes

Row 1 Sl1, K14 (19: 23), k2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, sl1, yo, turn.

Row 2 K2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, yo, sl1 pwise, turn.

Row 3 K2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, sl1, yo, turn.

Row 4 K2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, yo, sl1 pwise, turn.

Row 5 K2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, sl1, turn.

Row 6 P2tog tbl, P5, p2tog, sl1 pwise, turn.

Row 7 K2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, sl1, turn.

Row 8 P2tog tbl, P5, p2tog, sl1 pwise, turn.

Row 9 K2tog, K5, sl1, K1, psso, knit to end of row. [21 (29: 37) sts]

Row 10 K7 (11: 15), P6, K8 (12: 16).

Knit 22 (24: 26) rows.

Cast off using the picot method as follows:

Cast off 2 sts, *return 1 st on needle to left-hand needle, cast on 2 sts using cable cast on, cast off 4 sts; rep from * to end of row.

Make up the baby booties

Using mattress stitch, sew up the sole seam, then the back seam reversing the seam 3½cm from the cast-off edge for the turn back.

How to knit baby booties: Pattern download

Want to keep using the How to knit baby booties pattern offline or on-the-go? Get your free PDF copy below.

How to knit baby booties PDF

More like the How to knit baby booties tutorial

Check out some of our other free knitting patterns on Gathered. For an alternative booties, see our baby booties knitting pattern. Check out our basic baby hat knitting pattern and our premature baby hat knitting pattern, too. Little ones will love our mermaid knitting pattern and our toy dog knitting patterns. Or maybe our pirate toy knitting pattern is the choice for your little one.