Easy Bootees to Knit

By Zoe Mellor

Easy Bootees to Knit is a delightful book with detailed instructions on how to create stunning bootees to keep the most teeny tiny toes warm.

There are funky animal boots, nostalgic lace patterns, simple slippers, snug cuffed bootees (guaranteed to stay on the most restless feet) and classic cables among the collection – indeed, something to suit any baby, from newborn to 18 months. For beginners there is an easy-to-knit practice pattern, and a size chart allows you to decide which size to knit. Each pattern is accompanied by appropriate charts and diagrams, embellishment tips and full pattern instruction.

Easy Bootees to Knit is part of the brand new Make Me! series – a collection of books packed with easy and beautiful craft projects.

• Language: English
• Publisher: HarperCollins UK
• Release date: Dec 18, 2014
• ISBN: 9781910496367

Book preview

Fair Isle and frill bootees

Keep these pretty pastel bootees for special occasions. The frilled top is very effective, and very easy to knit.

Size

To fit baby of 6–9 months

Materials

50g balls of 4ply (sport-weight) 100% wool yarn: 1 x pink (M) and 1 x cream (C)

Small amounts of mauve (A) and yellow yarn (B)

Pair of 3mm (US 2) needles

100cm (39in) of ribbon

Tension (gauge)

28 sts and 38 rows = 10cm (4in) square over st st using 3mm (US 2) needles.

Abbreviations

See here.

First bootee

Cuff

Using C, cast on 122 sts and knit 1 row.

Row 2: P1, [*p3tog* three times, p2] to end.

Row 3: Using M, *k2tog* twice, *k3, k2tog* nine times, k3, *k2tog* twice. (43 sts)

Work 8 rows in k1, p1 rib.

Change to st st, work 2 rows.

Row 14: *K3, yo, k2tog* four times, k1, *to* four times k2.

Work 3 more rows.

Divide for top of foot

K29, turn, p15, turn.

On 15 sts, work 22 rows.

Break yarn.

With RS facing (14 sts on needle), rejoin M and pick up 15 sts along side of foot, 15 sts from toe, 15 sts along side of foot and 14 sts on needle. (73 sts)

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: Work Fair Isle following instructions and chart: using C, knit.

Illustration

Row 3: Purl *1B, 1C* to last st, 1B.

Row 4: Using C, knit.

Row 5: Purl, *1A, 3C* to last st, 1A.

Row 6: Knit *1B, 1A, 1C, 1A* to last st, 1B.

Row 7: As row 5.

Row 8: As row 4.

Row 9: Using B, dec, purl to last 2 sts, dec. Break yarns. (71 sts)

Shape sole

Using M,

Row 1: K1, *k2tog, k29, k2tog* k3, *to* again, k1.

Row 2: K30, k2tog, k3, s1, k1, psso, k30.

Row 3: P1, *p2tog, k26, p2togb*, k3, *to* again, k1.

Row 4: K27, k2tog, k3, s1, k1, psso, k27.

Row 5: P1, *p2tog, k23, p2togb*, k3, *to* again, k1.

Row 6: K24, k2tog, k3, s1, k1, psso, k24

Row 7: Cast (bind) off.

Second bootee

Make second bootee to match.

Finishing

Join leg seam and under-foot seam. Weave in any loose ends. Cut ribbon in half, thread through eyelets and tie in bow.

Illustration

Cable bootees

These bootees feature a simple cable winding right around the baby’s feet. The cable stands out when knitted in a contrast colour, but for a more subtle look you could knit the whole bootee in one colour.

Illustration

Size

To fit baby of 0–3[3–6:6–9] months

Materials

50g balls of 4ply (sport-weight) wool and cotton blend yarn: 1 x lilac (A) and 1 x cream (B)

Pair of 3.25mm (US 3) needles

Cable needle

Tension (gauge)

24 sts and 32 rows = 10cm (4in) square over st st using 3.25mm (US 3) needles.

Abbreviations

C6b = slip 3 sts onto cable needle and hold at back of work, k3 from left-hand needle, then k3 from cable needle.

See also here.

First bootee

Cable strip

Using B, cast on 8 sts.

Row 1: Knit.

Row 2: K1, p6, k1.

Rows 3–4: As rows 1–2.

Row 5: K1, c6b, k1.

Row 6: As row 2.

Rows 7–72[84:96]: As rows 1–6, 11 [13:15] times, placing markers at each end of row 37[43:49].

Work rows 1–2 again.

Cast (bind) off.

Sole

Using A, pick up and knit 63[73:83] sts along cable strip, 31[36:41] sts each side of marked row and 1 st on marked row.

Rows 1–3: Knit.

Row 4: K2, *s1, k1, psso, k25[30:35], k2tog*, k1, *to* again, k2.

Row 5: Knit.

Row 6: K2, *s1, k1, psso, k23[28:33], k2tog*, k1, *to* again, k2.

Row 7: Knit.

Row 8: K2, *s1, k1, psso, k21[26:31], k2tog*, k1, *to* again, k2.

Row 9: Knit.

Row 10: Cast (bind) off.

Upper

Using B, cast on 32[34:36] sts. Change to A and knit 1 row. Work 15 rows in k1, p1 rib.

Change to st st and work 4[6:8] rows.

Rows 5–6: Cast (bind) off 11 sts, work to end.

On 10[12:14] sts, work 14[16:18] rows.

Cast (bind) off.

Second

Reviews for Easy Bootees to Knit

[rochesterknittinggui · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

Leading designer Zoe Mellor returns with an adorable collection of classic and contemporary bootees for the beautifully shod baby, newborn to 18 months.

[lisa875 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

This book has so many really nice patterns in it with great colors, pictures and instructions. One thing I found helpful though was to check on ravelry.com for other people who have made some of the patterns and look for their comments. After checking that there are some patterns that I won't bother with but still many that I would like to try.

[bmk_5 · Rating: 4 out of 5 stars]

I bought this book after seeing examples of some of the booties on the Yarn Harlot's blog. Bear in mind that I have no children and most of my contemporaries are past the baby stage. The booties in here are cute (much as I detest that word) enough to attract even me. The "Tiger" booties are particularly nifty. The only problem I have with this book is that it gives me the urge to knit baby booties and roam the streets of my town, looking for random infants and whack a pair of these on the kid's feet. The only thing stopping me is that I fear that the random parents would take a dim view of that sort of behavior.

[angelthreads · Rating: 1 out of 5 stars]

I have used several patterns in this book and have found that there are basically 5 or so patterns and the other 45 are slightly different versions of the same pattern.BUT the thing I have the most problem with is the use of buttons and pom-poms on so many of the patterns. I would never give someone a baby gift with buttons or pom-poms on it. Buttons are a choking hazzard in babies who would wear these booties. I know the author cautions about being sure the buttons are sewn on tightly, but my responsibility doesn't end with making the bootie and I don't want to be responsible for the baby's parent not noticing the button is loose. If someone gave my child a pair og booties with buttons on them, I would never put them on the child. So while many of the pattern variations are really cute, don't make them unless you have an alternative for the closure! I plan to try a spot of velcro well sewn on.