Booties are the best, most practical and comfortable footwear for babies who cannot walk yet. It is not difficult to knit booties. Beginner needlewomen can use a step-by-step master class with a detailed description, photos and videos of crocheting.
Preparation for knitting: materials and tools
The choice of yarn depends on the style and season of the booties.
When creating shoes for a small child, you should pay attention to natural yarn or hypoallergenic synthetics:
- If you need warm winter booties, then it is better to opt for soft wool. It should not "bite" and fluff up too much to be comfortable and safe for the baby. It is worth considering that when crocheting, the fabric is thicker than when knitting, so the yarn should not be too bulky. The optimal thickness is 200-400 m / 100 gr.
- It has good "winter" properties. bulky synthetic yarn (for example, plush or fur-like). Soft and cozy booties are made from baby acrylic.
- Suitable for light summer booties cotton based yarn, not strongly twisted, with a thread thickness of 300-500 m/100 g. Manufacturers also offer microfiber made of synthetic fibers with properties identical to cotton (for example, Diva yarn).
- For elegant lace booties the best option would be yarn with added viscose or silkThis yarn looks decorative on its own, and in an openwork pattern it enhances its beauty and elegance.
The hook can be selected based on the yarn manufacturer's recommendations (usually they are indicated on the label). But each needlewoman has a different knitting density, thread tension in work, so it is better to select a hook by trying it on a specific thread.
Booties sizes by month
The size (foot length) of booties can be found in the table.
| Age of the child | Foot length |
| 0-3 months | 7-9 cm |
| 3-6 months. | 9-10 cm |
| 6-9 months. | 11-12 cm |
| 9-12 months. | 12-13 cm |
Booties are usually used as shoes rather than socks, so they should be large enough to sit comfortably over rompers or tights. The length of the sole should be at least 1 cm longer than the length of the child's foot.
The width of the sole of the bootie is 60% of the length, and the height of the instep is about 30-40% of the length. The cuff should be elastic or have a fastener (a ribbon is often used, threaded along the entire length of the cuff, and brought forward for tying).
Classic baby booties: diagram, step-by-step description
Booties for beginners with a step-by-step description, a medium-thickness hook can be knitted in one day. An example of knitting will be considered for the size 1-3 months (sole length 10 cm), yarn 250-300 m / 100 gr. As a result, you will get warm, cozy boots of a laconic design. The level of complexity of the work is minimal. These booties are basic for knitting most other types.
For the sole, you need to dial 10 air loops of the base and 3 ch instead of the first column. Then knit in a circle (around the base chain), without changing the direction, with double crochets.
For the first row, insert the hook into the first loop of the base (4 from the hook), and knit double crochets on all loops. From the last loop (on the turn), knit 5 dc from one loop of the base. Continue knitting on the loops of the base, but from the other side (the twist is inserted not under the half loops, but under the loop between the loops of the chain). From the last loop of the row, also knit 5 dc of the turn.
The first and last columns are connected with a slip stitch:
- At the beginning of each row, instead of the first column, 3 lifting ch are knitted.
- In the second row, 1 st. d.n. is knitted on 5 turning columns.
- In the third row, on each of the 5 turning columns, 2 dc are knitted from one base loop.
- Next, the sole needs to be knitted to the desired size, evenly making 5 increases at the turns in each row.
To lift, knit 4-5 rows of dc without increases in a circle. The result is an oval cup. Its volume should be sufficient for the baby's foot. For a clearer border of the sole of the bootie (for beginner needlewomen, it is better to use a diagram with a step-by-step description), the first row of lifting can be crocheted from relief columns.
Relief columns require a certain amount of skill:
- To form the toe, further knitting continues on the loops of one turn, and the loops of 1/3 of the base (straight columns) on each side of the turn. They need to be counted. There will be the same number of rows as on the sole.
- At the end of knitting the toe, there should be 5 loops left. To calculate the reductions, the difference between the initial and final loops (here 5) is divided by the number of rows. The resulting number of loops must be reduced in each row. To do this, knit several dc into one.
- The remaining 5 columns are knitted into one. To do this, insert the hook with a yarn over into the first loop of the base. The yarn over is knitted, but the column is not knitted (the loop remains on the hook). Another yarn over is made and knitted from the second loop of the base. And so on 5 times.
- The resulting 5 loops are knitted into one. This results in 5 columns knitted with one vertex. The result should be a semicircle toe.
The next step: knitting the top of the booties: the easiest even for a beginner and does not require a detailed description.
All double crochet stitches are crocheted in a circle to the desired height. The beginning of each row is 3 ch lift, at the end is a slip stitch. The work is ready.
Openwork booties
Openwork booties are best knitted from thin cotton yarn. The sole is knitted according to the description above. For thin yarn, the number of initial loops and rows for all elements should be increased proportionally to the thickness of the thread. For knitting the instep of the bootie, it is better to choose an openwork pattern of "shells" or "arches".
You can knit the instep as in the basic description, and use the lace when knitting the toe and top.
The toe will also look beautiful, knitted as a separate element: a flower or a geometric pattern. The top of the bootie usually consists of two elements: a line for a decorative ribbon and a row of openwork "shells". To form a convenient line for the ribbon, double crochets are knitted on every second loop of the base, one air loop is knitted between the double crochets.
Openwork booties are less elastic. Beginner craftswomen are better off using a step-by-step description of how to crochet a specific model of booties. In this case, the ribbon will serve as ties, fitting the shoe to the foot.
Booties-slippers
The booties-slippers differ from the basic ones by the absence of the top, so even an inexperienced needlewoman can cope with the task. You can simplify the knitting of the toe (as in the step-by-step description of the basic model), replacing it with a decorative element crocheted.
To make slippers safe, you need to sew a leather insole to the knitted sole with the rough side outward or embroider several anti-slip elements on the sole with silicone (rubber) thread. Another option for knitted house slippers is a prefabricated model of 6 or 8 square elements sewn according to a certain pattern. This version of booties is the simplest of all.
Knitted sneakers for boys
Knitted sneakers will definitely attract the attention of others: they are original and practical at the same time. Booties-sneakers look more interesting if they are knitted from yarn of two colors, for example, a light sole and a denim top.
To ensure that the sneakers hold their shape well, it is better to knit them with single crochets or half crochets:
- The sole is knitted with a light thread according to the standard pattern, the thread is secured and broken off.
- The instep is knitted with the main color yarn. The first row of the instep is knitted perpendicular to the sole, which creates the effect of real shoes.
- It is better to knit the toe using the main pattern.
- Next, for the tongue, you need to knit only the loops of the front part of the bootie, which is located above the toe, with a separate piece of fabric. And the fabric of the main part of the sneaker should be started and finished by overlapping on the side surface of the nose.
- The sides of the top of the bootie should almost meet at the front to create a closure effect like a real shoe.
- Laces (thin ribbons, a dense chain of air loops or braid can be used as laces) can be threaded through the holes of the knitted fabric or knitted in a row of arches of air loops on the sides of the sneaker.
Knitted sandals
For light sandals, you should choose thin yarn made of natural fibers (cotton, linen) or microfiber. For such shoes, the sole should be knitted with almost no size allowances, since the light open bootie has an exact fit on the foot. The peculiarity of sandals is that the instep is not knitted in a closed fabricThe sole and back are knitted separately.
Having finished knitting the back at the desired height, do not break the thread. Starting from the corner of the back, a chain of air loops is collected for one strap. To knit the strap in the opposite direction, first make a loop at the end for the button, and then return along this chain with single crochets.
Without tearing the thread, knit a row of columns along the back to the other side and knit the second strap in the same way. The thickness of the strap should be knitted in straight and reverse rows. A button can be sewn on it without a loop. The sock is usually knitted in the form of an arc or a figured element of a suitable size.
Summer booties-shoes for girls
Mom can knit booties-shoes for special occasions for little princesses herself. You will need fancy yarn, for example with silk, viscose or soft lurex and a suitable hook. It is better to knit with single crochets, so the work will look neater. The shoes should fit the foot well, so the sole is knitted exactly to size.
To make the booties look neater, you don’t need to highlight the transition to the rise in any way: to rise, just continue knitting single crochet stitches.
From the 2nd-3rd row of the instep, you need to start reducing the number of stitches in the toe area, 2 stitches in each row. The rest of the instep (sides and back) is knitted straight, without decreases. You should finish knitting when the shoe is the desired height.
To knit the strap, attach the thread to the side of the heel, and knit a chain of air loops of such a length that it encircles the baby's foot. At the end, you need to make a loop for the button. The strap and the back are tied with straight and reverse rows of columns. Sew a button to the second corner of the back. Shoes can be decorated with bows or beads.
Winter version in the form of a boot
Warm functional booties can be knitted in the form of boots. The yarn should be voluminous, wool or acrylic. The boot is knitted in the same way as classic booties. Only in this case you need to make a higher shaft.
To keep the baby warm, the bootleg should fit snugly against the foot. And to make it easy for mom to put on the booties, the top of the boot should be either elastic or have a fastener.
Ballet booties
Ballet booties are knitted in the same way as shoes, only without a back and a fastener. You need to knit the sole and the instep, reducing the number of loops in the front to form the toe. For a better fit on the leg, you can choose elastic yarn (special elastic twist or with the addition of elastane).
New Year's booties
Bright booties in a New Year's design will be a great accessory for a photo shoot. Booties are knitted according to the classic pattern, and then decorated.
There are many options:
- Red or green booties with a fluffy white trim, decorated with small white pom-poms.
- Red or blue booties with snowflake embroidery.
- Red booties with an applique on the nose in the form of Santa Claus's face.
- White booties, designed in the form of a snowman. On the top part you need to embroider a face, and on the bottom (on the nose) sew a row of small dark buttons. Tie a mini-scarf around the instep and the shaft.
Animal shaped booties
To knit funny booties in the form of animals or cartoon characters, you need fantasy yarn "grass" or other suitable texture and corresponding colors. The knitting pattern is basic. There are no strict rules for execution, the author's flight of fantasy is welcomed.
Hedgehog booties
To knit them, you will need medium-hard, long-haired "grass" yarn of gray color. Medium-thick acrylic yarn will do for the sole and muzzle. You will also need eyes and a nose (they can be embroidered with black yarn). 
Knit the sole and the instep with acrylic yarn according to the pattern for ballet shoes. The shaft is "grass" to the desired height. Sew the nose and eyes to the muzzle.
Crocodile booties
Smooth yarn of medium thickness will do for the crocodiles. The sole and the instep are knitted as usual. The bootleg is knitted with a "scales" pattern. For the muzzle, you need to sew on the eyes, and embroider 2 nostrils on the nose with black threads.
Teddy Bear Booties
It is better to knit classic style bear booties from plush yarn. 2 small knitted semicircles (ears) should be sewn on the toe closer to the boot shaft. A small circle (for the muzzle) is knitted from the main yarn or a lighter shade. It is sewn on the tip of the toe, adding a little padding polyester for volume. Sew-on eyes are used.
You can knit booties from short-pile grass yarn of brown color. From smooth yarn of the same color knit a muzzle and ears and sew on.
Minion Booties
To knit these playful booties you will need yellow and blue yarn and some grey, white and black leftovers. The yarn should be smooth (cotton or acrylic) with a thickness of 300-450 m/100 g. The sole and instep are knitted from yellow yarn. Then attach a blue thread and knit a small cuff (along the leg).
It is better to make a contrasting blue border around the perimeter of the sole, with several single crochet stitches next to it.
To prevent the binding from pulling the fabric together, 1-2 stitches should be added at the corners. Small circles (eyes) are made from white yarn, and glasses are made next to them using a single crochet stitch of grey or black. They need to be sewn onto the toes of the booties, and the smile is embroidered with black thread.
How to decorate booties safely and beautifully?
By decorating even the simplest booties, you can get a smart, bright and fashionable detail of the child's wardrobe. For the design, you can use ribbons, buttons, appliques, beads. When decorating shoes for a baby, it is important to follow the rule: all elements must be safe (not have sharp, removable parts). Decor can only be sewn on.
Neither riveted nor glued joints are acceptable for children's clothing.
For boys, you can take shaped children's buttons. A sewn-on applique of the corresponding theme will look good. An interesting result can be obtained using the technique of "satin stitch" on the knitted fabric of the booties. The technique is simple, even a beginner can handle it. You can use any step-by-step embroidery patterns of the appropriate size, they look good on crocheted fabric.
Ethnic motifs are at the peak of fashion now. For a girl, bows made of rep or satin ribbons can be used as decoration. An ornament made of beads or large seed beads looks stylish. But embroidery with sequins will not work.
Video: booties for beginners with step-by-step description crochet
How to crochet booties, find out in the video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oomWPZjj3to
Knitting pattern for booties:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZVGt6y-3Ro
I knit with needles, I use different patterns. I can be sure: the finished product will not look like anything else. It is not only economical, but also allows you to remain original. And my friend generally takes advantage of the fact that it is handmade, sells knitted products and earns good money. The efforts and finances spent are fully recouped.
When you get tired of something, you can always unravel it and make another thing from the resulting raw material.