How to Crochet Baby Booties

How to Crochet Baby Booties

Once you learn how to crochet baby booties, you might find that you never want to stop. The needlecraft of crochet is a fun and relaxing way to create handmade baby items using just yarn and a crochet hook.

Learning how to crochet empowers you to create customized, personal items for any new arrival in your life. Customize the colors of baby booties to match the nursery theme, or create a matching set of cute baby booties and blankets. This is all possible without a scrap of fabric or an ounce of sewing skills!

Crocheting baby booties are a great beginner project because they are small and come together quickly while still offering the opportunity to practice a wide variety of skills and techniques.

Ready to learn how to crochet adorable baby booties for beginners? Let’s dive in. This article will cover:

• • How to crochet easy baby booties
  • How to make crochet booties for newborns
  • How to crochet baby slippers

How to Crochet Baby Booties Step by Step for Beginners

The first step in learning how to make baby booties in crochet is mastering a baby bootie pattern. This quick and fun bootie pattern uses thick yarn and comes together quickly. Baby is sure to stay warm and cozy all winter long in these precious booties.

Image source: Croby Patterns

The materials you’ll need for this project include: 

• • Bulky weight yarn in two colors
  • Crochet hook (6.00 mm hook recommended)
  • 2 stitch markers
  • Yarn/tapestry needle
  • Scissors

Feel free to use any color combination your heart desires, or you can stick with the pastel blue and white color scheme used by the pattern creator.

Achieving the correct gauge is essential to starting any new crochet garment. Matching the crochet gauge of the pattern ensures the finished product will fit as intended. In order to check your gauge, follow the steps below.

1. 1. Work 12 stitches in 20 rows in single crochet using a 6.00 mm crochet hook and bulky weight yarn.
   2. Check that the finished swatch measures 5 inches by 5 inches. 
   3. If your gauge swatch is too big or too small, adjust your crochet hook size accordingly.

This pattern is worked in three different parts. First, you’ll create the sole of the bootie by working in rounds (no magic circle needed). Next, you’ll make the upper part of the bootie. The booties are finished with a cord to keep the booties secure on the baby’s feet.

How to Crochet Baby Booties Tutorial: The Soles

To create the sole of the bootie, you will be crocheting in the round. This is the same methodology used to crochet circles. Always join each round with a slip stitch.

Image source: Croby Patterns

Start with the yarn color that you would like to form the sole of the baby bootie. Repeat all the steps below twice to create a pair of soles for your baby booties.

1. 1. Create a foundation chain of 6 chain stitches.
   2. Start round one by working two half double crochets into the second chain away from the hook. Make two more half double crochets into the same chain.
   3. Continue round one by working three more half double crochets. Make six more half double crochets into the last chain away from the hook.
   4. To finish round one, continue on the opposite side of the foundation chain. Work three half double crochets then make two half double crochets into the last chain stitch. Slip stitch to join the round.
   5. Start round two by chaining one and working two half double crochets into each of the next two stitches. Half double crochet three.
   6. Continue round two by working two half double crochets into each of the next six stitches. Half double crochet three.
   7. Finish round two by working two half double crochets into each of the last two stitches. Slip stitch to join.
   8. Cut the yarn and fasten off. Finish by weaving in the yarn ends. 

How to Crochet Baby Booties Tutorial: The Sides

The next step of learning how to crochet baby shoes is forming the sides of the bootie. To change your yarn color, attach the next yarn color on the wrong side of the heel of the sole with one chain stitch.

Image source: Croby Patterns

Continue forming the rest of the baby bootie by following the steps below. Repeat for the second bootie to complete your pair. Start each round in the first stitch of the round, and do not turn after each round.

1. 1. After attaching the second yarn color to the center of the sole, fold the sole lengthwise. Find the stitch that lies at the intersection of the heel and the fold.
   2. Make sure that you are attaching yarn to the wrong side of the shoe (the right side should face down).
   3. Work round one by working one half double crochet into the first stitch and each of the next 26 stitches. Join with a slip stitch.
   4. Start round two by chaining 1 and working seven single crochets. Work one half double crochet, then half double crochet two together (decreasing). 
   5. Continue round two. Double crochet two together three times. Half double crochet two together. Half double crochet one.
   6. Finish round two by single crocheting seven. Slip stitch to join round two.
   7. Start round three by chaining one and working seven single crochets. Half double crochet two together. Double crochet two together. Half double crochet two together. 
   8. Finish round three by working seven single crochets and joining with a slip stitch.
   9. Work round flour by chaining one and working one single crochet into each of the next 17 stitches.
   10. Work round five by chaining one and working one half double crochet into each of the next 17 stitches.
   11. Work round six by chaining one and working one double crochet into each of the next 17 stitches.
   12. Cut the yarn and fasten off. Weave in ends.
   13. Using your stitch marker, mark the stitch that is most front and center of round five.

Congratulations, you have almost finished your first pair of baby booties. Just one more step awaits you in your journey to learn how to crochet baby boy booties for beginners. 

How to Crochet Booties Tutorial: The Cord

You’ve completed all the hard work, and all that remains to finish your first pair of baby booties is the cord. The cord will secure the booties onto the foot and adds a sweet decorative element.

Pick up the first yarn color that you used to create the booties and follow the simple steps below to complete your baby booties with chords.

1. 1. Chain 50.
   2. Make a small knot on both sides of the chain.
   3. Trim your yarn ends.
   4. Weave the cord through the stitches of round five starting from where you placed your stitch marker. Tie a bow.
   5. Hide yarn tails between the stitches. Repeat for the second bootie.

Image source: Croby Patterns

You can shorten the cord length by tying the knots closer into the center of the chain.

Congratulations, you have just finished your first pair of crochet baby booties! These cute little crocheted baby shoes or booties are an adorable baby shower gift for both baby girl and boy, and these charming accessories effortlessly enhance any newborn’s wardrobe.

Don’t forget to add a custom woven label with the baby’s name. If you plan to give the booties away as a gift, the parents would surely appreciate a care label with washing instructions.

How to Crochet Newborn Baby Booties for Beginners

The tricky thing about crocheting baby items is that no two babies are born the same size, and they grow by the day. Fortunately you don’t have to learn an entirely new crochet pattern to learn how to crochet baby booties for newborns.

Image source: Okie Girl Bling n Things

For example, if you wanted to size down the pattern above, you could make the booties smaller by using a smaller crochet hook and/or a lighter crochet weight. Changing the size of only one will have a less drastic effect than sizing down both the hook and the yarn

Sizing bootie patterns up works similarly, but instead of sizing the hook and/or yarn down, you go up in size and weight. Check out these tips for guidance on several ways to modify a crochet pattern. 

Baby Foot Length	Recommended Baby Bootie Length	Approximate Age
2 ⅙”	2 ⅔”	Small preemie
2 ½”	3”	Preemie-newborn
3”	3 ½”	3 – 6 Months
3 ⅙”	3 ⅔”	6 – 9 Months
3 ½”	4	9 – 12 Months
4”	4 ½”	12 – 18 Months
4 ½”	5”	18 – 24 Months
5”	5 ½”	2 Years

Modifying crochet baby booties patterns by doubling yarns or increasing stitch heights (e.g. changing a double crochet to a triple crochet) is an intermediate/advanced crochet skill. Beginners should opt to follow patterns as written.

Modification	Effect	Difficulty Level	Photo
Use a different yarn color	Changes visual pattern	Beginner	Image source: Crochet Concupiscence
Size up hook	Enlarges the pattern	Beginner	Image source: Crochet Concupiscence
Double strand the yarn	Enlarges the pattern and can add a second color	Intermediate	Image source: Crochet Concupiscence
Increase stitch height	Enlarges the crochet baby booties pattern but also alters the overall finished look	Intermediate/ advanced	Image source: Crochet Concupiscence
Use thicker yarn	Enlarges the pattern	Beginner
Size down hook	Reduces size	Beginner	Image source: Crochet Concupiscence
Decrease stitch height	Reduces size but can also change the overall finished look	Intermediate/ advanced
Use thinner yarn	Reduces the size
Use a different yarn type	Changes the texture and finished effect	Intermediate	Image source: Crochet Concupiscence

If the idea of modifying a crochet pattern stresses you out, fear not. There are plenty of beginner-friendly baby crochet patterns for newborn baby booties.

Image Source: Okie Girl Bling n Things

If you are ready to create precious, tiny newborn booties, grab your favorite soft worsted weight yarn and a 2.5 mm hook to get started with this newborn bootie pattern. 

Details: 

• • Booties measure approximately 3 ¼” long
  • Work in rounds without turning
  • Gauge: a swatch of 14 rows with 16 single crochet stitches per row should measure approximately four inches.

Make sure to have personalized hang tags ready if you plan to sell these or gift them to an early arrival in your life!

1. 1. Round one: Crochet nine, single crochet in the second chain from the hook. Single crochet in the next six chain stitches. Work five single crochets in the next stitch. Turn to work down the other side of the chain stitch. Single crochet in the eighth stitch. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch. (You should have 20 stitches at this point.)
   2. Round two: Chain one, single crochet in the seventh stitch, work two half double crochets in the next three stitches.Single crochet in the tenth stitch and slip stitch into the first single crochet of the round.
   3. Round three: Chain one, half double crochet in the seventh stitch. Work two half double crochets in the next five stitches. Half double crochet in the eighth stitch. Work two half double crochets into the third stitch. Join with a slip stitch into the first half double crochet of the round.
   4. Round four: Chain one, single crochet (in back loops only) in each stitch around. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   5. Rounds five and six: Chain one, work a single crochet in each stitch in the round, slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   6. Round seven: Chain one, single crochet in the seventh stitch, single crochet two together (decrease) three times. Single crochet into the 18th stitch. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   7. Round eight: Chain one, single crochet into the third stitch. Three times, [single crochet two together and single crochet in the next stitch]. Single crochet into the 16th stitch. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   8. Round nine: Chain one, single crochet into the second stitch. Double crochet two together (decrease) three times. Twice, work a [single crochet then single crochet two together]. Single crochet in the seventh stitch. Work two single crochet decreases. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   9. Round ten: Chain one, single crochet two together (decrease) three times. Single crochet into the twelfth stitch. Join with a slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   10. Rounds 11 – 18. Chain one and single crochet in each stitch around. Slip stitch into the first stitch of the round.
   11. Cut yarn and weave in your ends. Roll the cuff down.
   12. Repeat steps one through 11 to create the second bootie.

You can follow along with the process by watching the video tutorial for this newborn baby bootie pattern.

By now you should feel confident that you can learn how to crochet baby slippers in any style or size. As your skills and confidence build, you can take on more detailed and complex baby booties crochet patterns. For now, enjoy bringing joy to babies and parents alike with your hand-crafted booties!

Frequently asked questions

What yarn is safe for baby skin?

Cotton yarns are highly regarded for their suitability for babies, as they offer a combination of softness and lightweight comfort. Most cotton yarns are conveniently machine washable, allowing for easy cleaning. They also provide a pleasant sensation against the delicate skin of babies. For those seeking an even more natural option, organic cotton yarns, like the Oh Baby!, are available as well.

What is the difference between baby booties and socks?

Baby booties offer an extra layer of coziness compared to socks. This additional warmth proves invaluable during the chilly seasons of autumn and winter. Similar to socks, booties are commonly crafted from breathable fabrics, making them suitable for year-round use. They become particularly beneficial for infants who are in their early stages of temperature regulation and need constant comfort.

Can I sell the baby booties I make using the free pattern?

Absolutely! While the pattern is free for personal use, you are welcome to sell the baby booties you make using the pattern. However, we kindly ask that you give credit to the original pattern source (mentioning the blog post) when selling your handmade items online or at craft fairs. Giving credit helps support the original designer and allows others to find the pattern as well.

Are there any special care instructions for the baby booties?

It’s best to follow the care instructions provided with the yarn used. In general, machine-washing delicate or hand-washing with mild detergent is recommended. Avoid using harsh chemicals or hot water.