Getting Started

After mastering a couple of easy-to-learn specialty stitches, you'll find that these warm and snugly booties are a cinch to make.

Skill Level

·         Intermediate

Basic Stitches Used

·         single crochet (sc)

·         double crochet (dc)

Special Stitches Used

The following stitches are used to make the heel for the booties:

2-tr Cluster

Yo twice, insert hk in next st, yo, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 lps, yo, pull through 2 lps] 2 times. There will be 3 lps on the hk. Yo, pull through all lps.

3-tr Cluster

Yo twice, insert hk in next st, yo hk, pull through st, yo, pull through 2 lps, yo, pull through 2 lps] 3 times. There will be 4 lps on the hk. Yo, pull through all lps.

You Will Need

·         1 skein (131 yards [120m]) of DK-weight yarn in light blue

·         Size G hook

·         Tapestry needle

·         Stitch marker

The sample project was made in size 9 to 12 months, using 1 skein (131 yards [120m]) of Jaeger Baby Merino DK-weight 1-3/4-ounce (50 g) yarn (100% merino wool) in Powder, color #222.

Gauge in single crochet

·         20 sts = 4" (10.2 cm)

·         24 rows = 4" (10.2 cm)

Instructions

Toe

·         Foundation: Ch 4 (4, 5, 5, 6).

·         Round 1: Ch 1, sc in back half of 2nd ch from hk and back half of next 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) ch, 5 sc in back half of last ch, sc in other half of next 2 (2, 3, 3, 4) ch, 4 sc in last ch, do not turn (place marker) (14, 14, 16, 16, 18 sts).

·         Round 2: Sc in next 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, 2 sc in next 3 sts, sc in next 4 (4, 5, 5, 6) sts, 2 sc in next 3 sts (20, 20, 22, 22, 24 sts).

·         Rounds 3 to 14: Sc in ea st.

·         Round 15: Sc in the first 2 sts of the round, turn.

Bottom of Heel (continuing from toe)

·         Rows 1 to 8: Ch 1, sc in next 15 (15, 16, 16, 17) sts, turn.

Back of Heel

·         Sk next 3 sts, dc in next st, 2-(2, 3, 3, 3) tr cluster in next 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) sts, 3-(3, 2, 2, 3) tr cluster in next 3 (3, 2, 2, 3) sts, 2-(2, 3, 3, 3) tr cluster in next 2 (2, 3, 3, 3) sts, dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sl st in last st, turn.

Ankle Edging (continuing from the back of the heel)

·         Row 1: Ch 1, 27 (27, 29, 29, 31) sc around ankle opening, join beg to end with a sl st. Cut yarn to 18" (45.72 cm) set aside.

Ribbing

·         Foundation: Ch 12 (13, 13, 14, 15).

·         Row 1: Ch 1, sc in 2nd ch from hk and ea ch across, turn (12, 13, 13, 14, 15 sts).

·         Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the back half of ea st across, turn.

·         Rows 3 to 14 (14, 14, 16, 16): Repeat row 2.

·         Cut the yarn to 12" (30.48 cm) and weave the first row to the last row, creating a tube.

Assembly

·         Using the tail at the ankle edging, sew the ribbing to the ankle. Weave in end.

·         Repeat instructions for 2nd bootie.