How to Knit Baby Booties

Even if you've been knitting for awhile, knitting baby booties can be a bit overwhelming. There are so many patterns, and how do you shape it properly so it fits that little foot? Master how to knit baby booties without getting overwhelmed by the many patterns available.

1. Decide what size stitches you want to use. Do you want to knit a thinner bootie with smaller stitches (which will take longer), or a thicker bootie with larger stitches (which will be faster to make)?
   • If you want to knit a thin bootie with small stitches, look for patterns using baby fingering yarn or sport weight yarn.
   • If you want to knit a thicker bootie with large stitches, look for patterns using worsted weight yarn.
2. Choose what kind of seam you want the bootie to have. Do you want to work it all in one piece, seamless, or would you rather make a flat fabric that you sew up afterwards?
   • A seamless pattern will use double-pointed knitting needles. (Note that seamless booties are more difficult to make than ones with seams.)
3. Pick which style of baby bootie you're looking for. Do you want a lacy baby bootie to dress up a girl? Do you want a bootie that mimics a tennis shoe? Or do you want to knit a baby bootie that looks like something else?
4. Decide if you want the bootie to be all yarn, or if you want to use ribbon or buttons as well. Bear in mind that any baby bootie pattern with buttons will probably involve sewing.
5. Run an image search for knit baby bootie patterns that match what you have in mind. For example, "knit Mary Jane bootie pattern."
6. Follow the image links to find the patterns that produced the product.
7. Knit the baby booties that match what you want to make, following the pattern's instructions.

• If your pattern calls for baby fingering or sport weight yarn, you can use thick cotton thread, instead.
• Remember that you can play with colors. Most booties are white, but there is a plethora of colors available. You can make the soles of the booties a different color, or make a bootie with stripes, or leave them all 1 color.
• If you can crochet, use the crochet cast-on and the basic cast-off, which will hide which side you start on and which one you end on.
• Cut a tail of at least 3 in (7.5 cm) when finishing off the project. Babies are prone to wiggling, and you don't want them to pull that thread out.

• Always check your gauge, to make sure your measurements will match the original patterns. If your sample gauge is too large, try smaller needles or finer yarn. If your sample swatch's gauge too small, try larger needles or yarn.