How to Crochet Baby Shoes

Crocheting a pair of baby shoes or booties is a sweet gift for a new mom, who is sure to keep them once the little one outgrows them. Several free patterns are available online. Some include a Mary Jane strap or tiny flowers for a girl. This free pattern is available from Lion Brand Yarn and assumes you know a few basic stitches. We've spelled out the instructions without abbreviations for an infant's size (a finished foot length of 3 3/4 inches) and offered a few other resources.

Things You'll Need

• 1 ball or skein of worsted-weight 100 percent acrylic yarn 1 crochet hook, size K (10.5) Stitch markers

Instructions

1. Make the sole. Chain five stitches; single crochet in the second chain from the hook and in each chain across (four stitches total). On the next row, chain one stitch and make a single crochet in each single crochet stitch across. Repeat for four more rows. Then chain one stitch and make two single crochets in the first single crochet of the row; make a single crochet in each subsequent stitch except for the last one, where you'll make another two single crochets (six stitches total). For the next four rows, chain one stitch and make a single crochet in each stitch across.

2. Place a stitch marker in the last stitch you worked in Step 1. You'll move the marker up row by row as your work progresses. The sides grow from the sole.

3. Begin sides. Do not turn your work but work as if in a spiral. Make 10 single crochet stitches evenly down the side of the sole; make four single crochet stitches along the opposite side of your foundation chain (this is the heel). Then make 10 single crochet stitches evenly spaced along the opposite side, and make six single crochet stitches (this is the toe) across to the stitch marker (30 stitches total). For the next two rows, pick up just the front loops of the single crochet stitches and make single crochets in each stitch.

4. Make the top of the foot. When starting these rows, do not chain one stitch at the beginning of these rows, as when making the sole. Instead, make a single crochet in the next single crochet stitch; make a slip stitch in the next single crochet. Turn the work around and work in the front loops of the previous single crochet stitches. Single crochet in the next six stitches. Working in both loops of the previous single crochet stitches, slip stitch in the next two single crochets, leaving the remaining stitches alone.

5. For the next four rows, turn the work around, skip the first two slip stitches and work in the front loops of the previous stitches. Make single crochet stitches in the next six stitches across the top of the foot; working in both loops of the previous stitches, slip stitch in the next two single crochets along the side of the bootie. You'll repeat this for the other side. Then turn the work around, skip the first two slip stitches and work in the front loops of the previous stitches. Make single crochet stitches in the next six stitches across the top of the foot; working in both loops of the previous stitches, slip stitch in the next single crochet along the side of the bootie.

6. Make the cuff. Turn the work around. Skip the first slip stitch and, working through both loops of the previous stitches, single crochet in each single crochet around entire bootie opening. Do not join off row (18 stitches total). Place stitch marker in last row worked. For the second row of the cuff, make single crochet stitches in each single crochet stitch of the previous row. Continue around till you reach the stitch marker. Add another round if needed until cuff measures 1 1/2 inches long.

7. Fasten off end. Weave in loose yarn. Repeat to make matching bootie.

Tips & Warnings

• Stick with soft acrylic yarns for babies because of the possibility of wool allergies.

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• Pattern with abbreviations and photo at Lion Brand Yarn
• Basic crochet instructions
• Free baby and newborn patterns from Bev's Country Cottage
• Other patterns for baby booties at Crochet Pattern Central