Knitting shoes for baby step by step

Keep tiny toes warm and cozy with these charming knitted baby booties! Featuring a comfortable ribbed instep and a classic garter stitch body, these booties are both practical and adorable. The drawstring tie ensures a snug fit, keeping them securely on even the wiggliest feet.

This pattern is designed to be knitted flat and then seamed, making it a great project for knitters of all skill levels, including those new to making baby items.

Skill Level:

Easy

Materials:

Yarn: DK weight (Light Worsted / #3) baby yarn (approx. 30-50g per pair). The example uses a lovely bright blue.
Needles: 3.5 mm (US 4) straight knitting needles or circular needles (for working flat)
Tapestry needle (for seaming and weaving in ends)
Scissors
Stitch marker (optional)

Abbreviations (US Terms):

CO: Cast On
K: Knit
P: Purl
st(s): stitch(es)
RS: Right Side
WS: Wrong Side
garter stitch: every row knit
ribbing: alternating knit and purl stitches (e.g., K1, P1 rib)

Gauge:

24 stitches and 48 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in garter stitch

(Important: Please check your gauge! Accurate gauge is crucial for baby items to ensure they fit the intended size. If your gauge is different, adjust your needle size up or down accordingly.)

Pattern Notes:

These booties are knitted flat as a single piece and then seamed.
The majority of the bootie is worked in garter stitch (knit every row) for a simple, textured look and stretch.
The ribbed section on the instep provides shaping and a snug fit over the top of the foot.
A simple knitted i-cord or chain of stitches will be used for the drawstring.
This pattern is for size 0-3 months. Suggestions for adjusting the size are provided at the end.

Pattern Instructions

Part 1: The Sole and Lower Heel

Using 3.5 mm (US 4) needles and your chosen DK weight yarn,

CO 36 stitches.

Work in garter stitch (knit every row) for 32 rows. (This section forms the sole of the bootie and the lower back of the heel. The piece should measure approximately 6.5 cm / 2.5 inches wide and 6.5 cm / 2.5 inches long.)

Part 2: Shaping the Heel and Beginning the Instep Opening

This section creates the “U” shape for the heel and the opening for the top of the foot.

Row 33 (RS): K 13 stitches, bind off 10 stitches, K to the end of the row (13 stitches remaining on your right needle, 13 stitches on your left needle). (26 sts total now on needles)

Row 34 (WS): K across all 26 stitches.

Row 35 (RS): K across all 26 stitches.

Repeat Row 34 and Row 35 for a total of 6 more rows (Rows 36-41). (You should now have a rectangular piece of garter stitch with a “U” shaped cutout in the center.)

Part 3: The Instep (Ribbed Section)

Now we will create the distinctive ribbed section that goes over the top of the baby’s foot. You will pick up stitches to bridge the gap created in the previous step.

Row 42 (WS): K 13 sts (these are the stitches on the left side of the “U” opening), pick up and knit 10 stitches along the bound-off edge of the “U” (this closes the gap), K 13 sts (these are the stitches on the right side of the “U”). (36 sts total now on needles)

Now, we will begin the ribbing pattern on the central 10 stitches:

Row 43 (RS – Ribbing Set Up): K 13 sts, (K1, P1) 5 times, K 13 sts.

Row 44 (WS): K 13 sts, (P1, K1) 5 times, K 13 sts.

Repeat Row 43 and Row 44 for a total of 10 rows of ribbing (5 repeats of the 2-row pattern). (This ribbed section will be approximately 2 cm / 0.75 inches long and will form the top of the foot.)

Part 4: The Toe

Now we transition back to garter stitch to complete the toe.

Row 53 (RS): K across all 36 stitches.

Row 54 (WS): K across all 36 stitches.

Repeat Row 53 and Row 54 for a total of 16 rows (ending on a WS row). (This section will be approximately 3.5 cm / 1.5 inches long and will form the top and front of the toe.)

Part 5: Finishing

Bind off all 36 stitches loosely.

Assembly:

Fold and Seam: Lay your knitted piece flat. Carefully fold the piece in half lengthwise, bringing the cast-on edge up to meet the bound-off edge.
Toe Seam: Using your tapestry needle and a long length of your yarn, seam the bound-off edges together from the very top (the end of the toe section) downwards for about 1.5 – 2 inches. This forms the front of the bootie, including the top of the toe. Use the mattress stitch for a neat, invisible seam, or a simple whip stitch.
Heel Seam: Now, starting from the cast-on edge (the sole), seam the side edges of the garter stitch section together to form the back of the heel. Continue seaming until you reach the beginning of the picked-up stitches/instep section.
Instep/Side Seam: Continue seaming the side edges along the ribbed section and the remaining garter stitch section, which will form the sides of the bootie over the baby’s foot.
Create Drawstring: Using the same yarn, create a simple knitted i-cord about 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) long, or crochet a chain of about 60-70 stitches. Alternatively, cut a length of ribbon or braided yarn.
Weave Drawstring: Starting from the side seam at the base of the ribbed section, weave the drawstring through the fabric of the bootie, either between the stitches or through existing holes if your knitting creates them, aiming for an even spacing around the ankle. Pull it through to meet the other end at the front center.
Tie and Adjust: Tie the drawstring into a bow at the front.
Weave in Ends: Securely weave in all remaining loose ends.

Video tutorial

Repeat all steps for the second bootie!

Sizing Adjustments (Approximate Guidance):

To adjust the size, you’ll mainly modify the number of stitches and rows:

For 3-6 Months:
- CO 40 sts.
- Work 36-40 rows in Part 1.
- In Part 2, bind off 12 sts and work 8 rows.
- In Part 3, pick up 12 sts and work 12 rows of ribbing.
- In Part 4, work 18-20 rows.
For 6-12 Months:
- CO 44 sts.
- Work 44-48 rows in Part 1.
- In Part 2, bind off 14 sts and work 10 rows.
- In Part 3, pick up 14 sts and work 14 rows of ribbing.
- In Part 4, work 22-24 rows.