Learn how to knit baby booties with this free pattern that’s ready for some sun! Feature an ankle strap with buttons, Mary Jane styling and butterfly on heels.
Design Story and Inspiration for the Butterfly Knit Baby Booties
I love making crochet baby booties and I thought it was time that I tried my hand at a knit pair! Baby knits are so sweet and quick to make. These simple booties are my favorite style – Mary Janes!
Instead of just basic baby booties I thought it would be fun to add a spring time accent. Knit up some sweet butterflies, grab some buttons, and you’re good to go!
Common Questions about Knitting Baby Booties
Many baby bootie patterns can be knit on straight knitting needles, making them an easy project for beginners who know basic shaping skills. You will need to increase and decrease for most baby bootie patterns to get the right shape for the foot.
I would say – easy baby booties! Yes, you have to make a second after the first, but they are so darn quick! Instead of making a blanket for a baby shower, try a set of booties. They are so adorable they are sure to get rave reviews.
You want a yarn that is gentle next to baby’s skin (no harsh acrylics or wool here!) yet one that can easily be cared for. Cotton is a good choice, and that’s what I used in this free pattern, or a premium acrylic is nice.
Yarn Options for the Butterfly Knit Baby Booties
I used Berroco Modern Cotton for these booties, and it is so soft! It has a huge variety of colors and holds up well to washing.
All of these things are musts in my book when it comes to knitting for babies! Easy care, feels great, lots of colors to choose from. Win-win!
If you’d like to substitute (let’s face it, we all like to shop from our stashes!) you can substitute any worsted weight yarn that gets gauge.
See the Web Story for these Knit Baby Booties!
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Knitted Baby Booties Pattern Details
These cute baby booties are an easy knitting pattern that only uses basic techniques.
These knitted baby booties feature a sole of garter stitch and a body of stockinette stitch.
The butterfly is knit separately with garter stitch wings and a stockinette stitch body and sewn together.
How to Customize these Adorable Baby Booties
If you need a smaller size for a newborn or a preemie, try working with a DK weight yarn and smaller needles. Definitely try out a swatch first!
You can also easily leave off the butterflies if you want a pattern for easy baby booties in a Mary Jane style.
More Free Baby Knitting Patterns
You might like these other free baby knitting patterns, an adorable baby sweater and cardigan!
Go ahead, check them out. I’ll hold your tab for you. 😉
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Baby Booties Knitting Pattern
What You’ll Need
Yarn: Berroco Modern Cotton (worsted, weight #4): #1608 Gadwall (MC, 1 skein), #1639 Waterfire (CC, 1 skein)
Needles: US size 6 (4.00 mm); US size 3 (3.25 mm) straight needles
Notions: Tapestry needle, two ½” buttons, matching thread, sewing needle, US size F (3.75 mm) crochet hook.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 0-6 (6-12) months, 3.5 (4)” sole length Shown in size 0-6 months.
Gauge: 24 sts and 28 rows = 4″ [10 cm] in St st with larger needles
Stitch Descriptions and Abbreviations:
Knit Stitch (k)
Purl Stitch (p)
Make one right (M1R) – Insert RH needle from back to front into bar between sts on the row below, knit into the front loop.
Make one left (M1L) – Insert RH needle from front to back into bar between sts on the row below, knit into the back loop.
How to Knit Baby Booties
Right Bootie
Sole
With larger needles and MC, CO 27 (31) sts.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: K1, M1R, k12 (14), M1R, k1, M1L, k12 (14), M1L, k1. (31 (35) sts)
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: K1, M1R, k13 (15), M1R, k3, M1L, k13 (15), M1L, k1. (35 (39) sts)
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: K1, M1R, k14 (16), M1R, k5, M1L, k14 (16), M1L, k1. (39 (43) sts)
Row 7: Knit.
Size 0-6 Months Only
Row 8: Knit.
Size 6-12 Months Only
Row 8: K1, M1R, k17, M1R, k7, M1L, k17, M1L, k1. (47 sts)
Body
All Sizes
Beginning with a purl (WS) row, work in St st for 5 (7) rows.
Top Shaping
Row 1 (RS): K9 (13), (ssk) 5 times, k1, (k2tog) 5 times, k9 (13). (29 (37) sts)
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K8 (9), BO next 13 (19) sts, k8 (9) sts.
Ankle Strap
Rows 1-3: Work in Garter st over last 8 (9) sts.
BO knitwise.
Join yarn to work remaining 8 (9) sts on needle.
CO 10 (11) sts for Ankle Strap. (18 (20) sts)
Work in Garter st for 3 rows.
BO knitwise.
Left Bootie
Work same as Right Bootie to Top Shaping Row 2.
Top Shaping/Ankle Strap
Row 3: K8 (9), BO next 13 (19) sts, slip st on right-hand needle to left-hand needle, CO 10 (11) sts for Ankle Strap.
Purl for 3 rows.
BO purlwise.
Join yarn to work remaining sts on needle.
Work in Garter st for 3 rows.
BO knitwise.
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Butterfly Wings (make 2)
With smaller needles and CC, CO 4 sts.
Row 1: Kfb, k to last 2 sts, kfb, k1. (6 sts)
Rows 2-4: Rep Row 1. (12 sts)
Row 5: Ssk, k to last 2, k2tog. (10 sts)
Rows 6-7: Rep Row 5. (6 sts)
Row 8: BO 2 sts, k to end. (4 sts)
Row 9: BO 2 sts, k, CO 3 sts. (5 sts)
Row 10: K5, CO 3 sts. (8 sts)
Row 11-13: Rep Row 1. (14 sts)
Rows 14-16: Rep Row 5. (8 sts)
BO knitwise.
Butterfly Body
With smaller needles and MC, CO 1 st.
Row 1: Kfb. (2 sts)
Rows 2-8: Work even in St st.
Row 9: Kfb twice. (4 sts)
Rows 10-13: Work even in St st.
BO knitwise.
Finishing
Using crochet hook, join yarn at end of Ankle Strap. Ch 4, join with a sl st to opposite corner of Ankle Strap. Fasten off.
Sew back and bottom seam.
Weave in all ends.
Sew buttons in place opposite Ankle Strap. Attach butterflies, using photo as guide.
That’s it!
You Might Enjoy These Other Free Knitting Patterns
And a free crochet pattern for a bootie pattern:
For those of you who both knit and crochet like me!
Sweet Sophisticated Mary Janes
This baby shoe pattern features Mary Jane styling as well and uses two colors of Red Heart Baby Hugs Light.
Click here for the free crochet pattern
I hope you’ve enjoyed this free knitting pattern for the Butterfly Knit Baby Booties!
Want even more free knit baby booties patterns? Check out this collection of free knit baby booties here!
Happy Knitting!
Amanda
help! I’m stuck right here.
ANKLE STRAP
Rows 1-3: Work in Garter st over last 8 (9) sts.
BO knitwise.
Join yarn to work remaining 8 (9) sts on needle.
CO 10 (11) sts for Ankle Strap. (18 (20) sts)
Work in Garter st for 3 rows.
Once I work 8 sts, bo 13, work 8, then work 3 rows garter and one row of bo knitwise, how do I join the yarn to work the live 8 sts left on the other needle? Do I work back to the edge, then back across again, then CO, then work 3 rows of garter st and finally bo knitwise?
Hi! Once you work those first 3 rows in garter st and bind off you can cut your yarn. You will join the yarn to knit the other 8 sts on the needle and then cast on 10 sts for the ankle strap.