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How To Knit Baby Booties (Step By Step)

THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS AFFILIATE LINKS THAT SUPPORT HANDY LITTLE ME CONTENT AND FREE PATTERNS.

In this post, you will see how to knit baby booties with easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions.

This is a basic pattern for beginner-level people, and the techniques you will need to know are casting on, casting off, knitting in garter stitch, decreasing through K2tog, and picking up stitches.

These easiest baby booties are knit flat with straight needles and later seamed to finish.

Please scroll down to view the free pattern, or grab the ad-free printable PDF from my shop here.

If you are looking for the mustard-colored stocking stitch booties pattern you can find that pattern here.

How to knit baby booties for beginners

A Basic Level Knitting Pattern

If you are learning how to knit, modern baby knitting patterns are a great place to start before you move on to more complicated patterns that include more advanced stitch patterns and techniques. 

This pattern will introduce you to shaping through simple decreases.

You will also need to know how to pick up stitches, this is so you can complete the top of the foot part of the booties.

*Please scroll down to see the free pattern tutorial*

How To Knit Baby Booties (Step By Step)

The Yarn I Used To Knit The Baby Booties

I used Rico Creative Cotton Aran (50g/85m/93yds) for the booties in the color Patina.

It does on occasion split when you knit, like most cotton but you can fix it and make it look neat with a little patience.

This is a medium-weight yarn 04 (a worsted weight yarn).

You can substitute with most cotton, including most DK yarn compatible with size 4.5mm (US 7) knitting needles.

easy knit baby booties in garter stitch

Resources and tutorials you may find helpful in following this pattern:

This pattern is great for any beginner knitters.

knit baby booties

How To Knit Baby Booties

Skill Level – Basic (For beginners)

Grab the printable PDF in my shop here.

Here, you can grab three beginner-friendly patterns, including the baby booties, hat, and cardigan, in a discounted bundle – Beginner Baby Knits Bundle.

You can also find this pattern in this Ebook here – 10 Baby Knitting Patterns Ebook.

Notes

The booties knit up quickly, and the simple design makes them a relaxing and enjoyable knit.

They are knit flat on straight needles and then seamed when complete.

You may want to use more than one color.

For example, when you knit the top section of the booties, you can change the color so that the top part that turns over is in a contrasting colored yarn.

Copyright Info

  • Please do not copy, sell, redistribute, or republish this pattern. 
  • If you wish to share this pattern, link to the pattern page only.
  • You may sell items produced using this pattern.
  • Do NOT use the copyrighted photos for your product listing.
  • For the copyright T&C, please read my Terms of Use.
How to knit baby booties for beginners

Size Information

Sizes 

  • This pattern is to fit baby size 0-3 months / 3-6 months / 6-9 months.
  • The first set of numbers applies to the small size, the second set to the medium size, and the third to the large size.

Gauge – 16 sts and 36 rows in 4 × 4 inches / 10 x 10 cm in garter stitch.

knitted baby booties

The Supplies You Need

Yarn

Needles

Notions

knit baby booties

Knitting Abbreviations 

Knitting Abbreviations And Terms (US And UK)

  • Beg = Begin(ning)
  • Cont = Continue(ing)
  • Garter Stitch – Every row knit
  • K = Knit
  • K2tog = Knit the next two stitches together
  • Rem = Remaining
  • St(s) = Stitch(es)
  • WS – Wrong side

Knit Booties Pattern

Create adorable and cozy knit booties for your little one with our easy-to-follow pattern.

Perfect for beginners and experienced knitters alike, these booties feature simple stitches and a snug fit to keep tiny toes warm.

Step-by-step instructions ensure a seamless knitting experience, making them an ideal gift for newborns and babies up to six months old.

Knit with love, these booties are sure to become a cherished keepsake.

1 hour 1 day, 3 hours and 30 minutes

How To Knit Baby Booties

  1. Cast on

    With (US 7) 4.5 mm needles cast on 23 (27/31) sts.Baby booties step by step 1

  2. Work the top half of the bootie

    Work 12 (12/14) rows in garter stitch.Baby booties step by step 2

  3. Start the top of the foot

    Next row – Knit 15 (17/20) sts, turn,Baby booties step by step 3

  4. Turn for the foot

    Next row – Knit 7 (7/9) sts, turn,Baby booties step by step 4

  5. Knit the top of the foot

    On 7 (7/9) sts work 10(12/14) rows in garter stitch. Break the yarn.Baby booties step by step 5

  6. Pick up and knit sts

    With the right side of the work facing you, rejoin the yarn to the inside edge of the 8 (10/11) sts on the right-hand needle.
    Then pick up and knit 5 (7/9) sts along the side of the foot.
    You can see a video tutorial to help you on my YouTube channel here.
    Baby booties step by step 6

  7. Knit across center sts

    Then knit across the 7 (9/9) sts on the left-hand needle that form the central part of the top of the foot.Baby booties step by step 7

  8. Pick up and knit sts along the next side of the foot

    Next, you will pick up and knit 5 (7/9) sts along the side of the foot.
    Then knit across the remaining 8 (10/11)sts on the left-hand needle.
    33 (41/49)stsBaby booties step by step 8

  9. Work the bottom section of the foot

    Work 8 (9/11) rows in garter stitch to complete the bottom section of the foot.Baby booties step by step 9

  10. Shape the sole of the foot

    Now you will shape the sole of the foot as follows:
    – K2 (K4/K4), K2tog, K2tog, K8 (10/14), K2tog, K1, K2tog, K8 (10/14), K2tog, K2tog, K2 (K4/K4). 27 (35/43)sts
    – Knit to the end of the row.
    – K2 (K4/K4), K2tog, K2tog, K5 (7/11), K2tog, K1, K2tog, K5 (7/11), K2tog, K2tog, K2 (K4/K4). 21 (29/37)sts
    – Knit to the end of the row.
    – K2 (K4/K4) K2tog, K2tog, K2 (4/8), K2tog, K1, K2tog, K2 (4/8), K2tog, K2tog, K2 (K4/K4). 15 (23/31)sts
    – Cast off.Baby booties step by step 10.1

  11. Making Up – Seaming the sole of the foot

    Weave in any loose ends before you start seaming – on the inside section of the bootie.
    Then seam the sole of the foot first using the mattress stitch.Baby booties step by step 11.1

  12. Making Up – Seaming the back of the bootie

    Next, continue to seam up the back of the bootie also using the mattress stitch.
    When you get to about 2 rows from the top of the bootie, seam the opposite side, so that you can turn the top of the bootie over and see a neat seam on the outside.
    You can place a couple of stitches here to keep the top of the bootie rolled over.
    Baby booties step 16

  13. Finishing

    To finish the booties, weave in any loose ends.
    If you wish to add a contrasting color tie, you can sew a running stitch through the top section of the bootie, to be able to tie in a bow, so the booties will stay on.
    Baby booties step 15

SHOP THE PDF HERE

Could you share your work with us?

I love seeing your finished projects on social media.

If you enjoyed making a pair of baby booties, I’d love to see yours on Instagram, be sure to tag me @handylittleme.

If you are on Facebook, stop over to the Handylittleme Facebook Group and share a photo.

You can also check out my Facebook page here.

You can also find us on Pinterest, Ravelry, and Twitter.

I’d love to see your work.

Happy Knitting!

Baby booties step 15

More Baby Knitting Patterns

You may also be interested in matching items for a lovely handmade gift set.

Related Posts:

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16 Comments

  1. I don’t understand break the yarn and then the directions following. It looks good up to that part then I’m lost please advise. Thank you

    Reply

    1. Hello Ki,
      This means that you will have to cut the yarn because you can’t continue with the part you are working on, you now need to work on a different section of the piece.
      You will have to re-join the yarn to a different place to continue with the pattern.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  2. I have a question on step #4 on the booties. I’m doing the newborn size and when I turn my work after step#3 then my working yarn is on the wrong side to work with. Thanks for any help. Eileen

    Reply

    1. Hello Eileen,
      I think that in step 3 you should be knitting along on the wrong side so that when you turn the work in step 4 you are knitting on the right side.
      If that’s not what’s happening, perhaps count up the rows to see if you knit an extra row somewhere?
      Finish the 12 rows in step 2 on a right side row row, so when you turn in step 3 you are on the wrong side row.
      I hope that helps!
      Louise

      Reply

  3. Dear Louise,
    I followed the pattern for 0-3 months and it worked perfectly but K2(4/8) in the last row before cast off when knitting booties for 3 to 6 months has stumped me. Please explain what you mean by K2(4/8).
    Thanks.

    Reply

    1. Hello Marie,
      That means you have to knit the correct number of stitches for the size you are making – in the smallest size, you knit 2 stitches, in the second size you will Knit 4 stitches, and in the largest size you will knit 8 stitches.
      I hope that helps,
      Louise

      Reply

  5. I need help with step #10, the k2 k4 k8 and all of the numbers are completely stumping me.

    Are we supposed to start on stitch #2? Or on the first stitch? And are we supposed to br dropping stitches/picking them back up? I dont understand the numbers to numbers aspect of the directions.

    Reply

  6. Hello,
    for steps 5 and 6 are you tieing the yarn when you cut it off and when you rejoin or does it just hang until the end?
    thank you
    Tracy

    Reply

    1. Hello Tracy,

      You could tie it if you wish, or weave it in as you work, or you could leave it and weave it in at the end.

      Some people tie the new yarn when it is joined into the work and others don’t and weave it in so there is no bump.

      I hope that helps!

      Louise

      Reply

  7. Hi, thanks so much for the free pattern! This is my first project in a decade away from knitting and your explanations are so clear and helpful.

    I did a color switch after breaking the yarn and the booties look like little blue whales! Such a cute pattern, thank you.

    Reply

    1. Hello Hana,

      Thank you so much for your kind words, I’m so happy you enjoyed the pattern.

      Blue whales sound lovely and very cute.

      Happy knitting!

      Louise

      Reply

    1. Hello Athlene,

      I’m so glad to hear you found the pattern easy to follow—congratulations on your first pair of booties!

      Louise

      Reply