Baby Booties
An oval sole, a back-loop turn for the sides and a shaped toe. Stays on better than you’d expect.
- Yarn
- DK (3) soft superwash wool or cotton.
- Hook
- G-6 (4 mm)
- Sizes
- 0–6 months: sole 3.5 in (9 cm). Each 2 extra foundation ch add about 0.5 in.
- Example gauge
- 16 sts and 12 rnds = 4 in (10 cm) in hdc
- Yarn needed
- About 70 yd (65 m) DK for a pair.
US terms. The UK name follows in brackets the first time each stitch appears. Turning chains don’t count as stitches unless a step says so. See US vs UK crochet terms and crochet abbreviations.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Foundation chain | 11 ch for 3.5 in; add 2 per extra 0.5 in | 11 ch | Size Charts |
| Sole round 1 | 8 + 5 + 7 + 4 | 24 hdc | By hand |
| Sole round 2 | 8 + 10 + 7 + 8 | 33 hdc | By hand |
Materials
- DK (3) yarn (see yarn needed)
- G-6 (4 mm)
- Tapestry needle
Gauge swatch
Work the sole; it should measure about 3.5 in long.
Instructions
Sole
Join every round with a sl st (UK ss) to the first st; the ch at the start of each round does not count as a stitch.
Rnd 1: Ch 11. Hdc (UK htr) in 3rd ch from hook and next 7 ch (8), 5 hdc in last ch. Working along the other side of the chain: hdc in next 7 ch, 4 hdc in the same ch as the first hdc. Join. (24)
Rnd 2: Ch 1, hdc in next 8, 2 hdc in each of next 5, hdc in next 7, 2 hdc in each of next 4. Join. (33)
Sides
Rnd 3: Ch 1, hdc in back loop only of each st. (33) Rnd 4: Ch 1, hdc in each st. (33)
Toe
Rnd 5: Ch 1, hdc in next 8, hdc2tog (UK htr2tog) 5 times, hdc in next 15. (28)
Rnd 6: Ch 1, hdc in next 8, hdc2tog twice, hdc in next 16. (26)
Cuff
Rnd 7: Ch 2, dc (UK tr) in each st. Rnds 8–9: Ch 2, *FPdc (UK FPtr) around next st, BPdc (UK BPtr) around next st; rep from *. Fasten off.
Finishing
- Weave in ends very securely.
- No buttons or pom-poms on baby booties.
Designer’s notes
- Larger size (6–12 months, 4 in sole): Rnd 1: Ch 13. Hdc in 3rd ch from hook and next 9 ch (10), 5 hdc in last ch, hdc in next 9 ch, 4 hdc in the same ch as the first hdc (28). Rnd 2: Hdc in next 10, 2 hdc in each of next 5, hdc in next 9, 2 hdc in each of next 4 (37). Rnds 3–4: 37 sts. Rnd 5: Hdc in next 10, hdc2tog 5 times, hdc in next 17 (32). Rnd 6: Hdc in next 10, hdc2tog twice, hdc in next 18 (30). Then work the cuff as written.
- Make the sole in a contrast colour so the shaping shows.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: rounds (1–9).
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Tools for this pattern
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.