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KnittingDK (Double Knitting)
Terminology
Little Baby Booties
Tiny, quick-to-knit booties that make a heartfelt handmade gift. Just one 50g ball makes a pair.
Yarn needed
1 x 50g ball
~30g · ~90 metres
Time
An evening
EasyFinished size
Newborn to 3 months
What you'll need
- 1 x 50g ball of soft DK yarn (a machine-washable baby yarn is ideal)
- A pair of 3.25mm (UK 10 / US 3) knitting needles
- A wool/darning needle
- Ribbon or a knitted tie (optional)
Tension: 22 stitches and 30 rows to 10cm in stocking stitch on 3.25mm needles.
Abbreviations
kknit
ppurl
k2togknit two together (decrease)
yfwdyarn forward (makes an eyelet for the ribbon)
Step-by-step instructions
1. Cast on and knit the cuff (make 2)
- 1Cast on 30 stitches with 3.25mm needles.
- 2Work in k1, p1 rib for 16 rows to form the ankle cuff.
- 3Eyelet row: k1, *yfwd, k2tog* to last stitch, k1. This makes a row of little holes to thread ribbon through.
- 4Knit 2 more rows.
2. Shape the instep
- 1Knit the first 20 stitches, turn, and work just the centre 10 stitches in stocking stitch for 10 rows to form the top of the foot.
- 2Cut the yarn and rejoin to work across all stitches, picking up stitches along the sides of the instep — you should have around 38 stitches on the needle.
3. Sole and finish
- 1Work 8 rows in garter stitch (knit every row) for the sole.
- 2Cast off. Fold the bootie and sew the sole and back seam with the wool needle.
- 3Thread ribbon or a knitted cord through the eyelets and tie in a bow. Make the second bootie to match.
Top tip: These make lovely, quick gifts — knit several pairs in different pastel shades to keep on hand for new arrivals.