Welcome, crocheters! There’s nothing sweeter than a tiny pair of handmade booties for a newborn. The precious booties pictured above are perfect: they have a soft, cushiony texture and a sturdy, high cuff that helps them actually stay on those wriggly little feet!
This pattern uses simple stitches but is constructed in a way that gives it that beautiful shape and texture, primarily using the Half Double Crochet (HDC) stitch for warmth and stability. The instructions are written for a Newborn (0–3 months) size.
🛠️ Materials Needed
- Yarn: Approximately 50 yards (45 meters) total of a soft DK weight (light worsted/8-ply) yarn in two colors:
- Color A (Main Color): White (approx. 40 yards)
- Color B (Contrast Color): Pink (approx. 10 yards)
- Hook:US size G/6 (4.0 mm) crochet hook.
- Use the hook size recommended for your yarn to achieve a nice, tight fabric.
- Notions:
- Yarn needle for weaving in ends.
- Scissors.
- Two stitch markers (helpful for marking the start/end of rounds).
📏 Gauge (Vital for Sizing)
- Gauge: 5 HDC stitches and 4 rows equals 1 inch (2.5 cm).
- Note: Crocheting baby items requires a slightly tighter tension than usual to create a dense fabric that keeps the wind out. If your stitches feel loose, consider dropping down a half size on your hook.
ℹ️ Key Techniques & Abbreviations
This pattern is worked in joined rounds for the sole and foot, then transitions to turning rows for the cuff.
- ch = Chain
- st(s) = Stitch(es)
- sl st = Slip Stitch
- sc = Single Crochet
- hdc = Half Double Crochet
- dc = Double Crochet
- hdc2tog = Half Double Crochet two stitches together (a decrease).
- BLO = Back Loop Only
- FLO = Front Loop Only
- FO = Fasten Off
👣 The Pattern: Sweet Pea Baby Booties (Newborn)
1️⃣ The Sole (Worked in Oval Rounds)
The sole forms the foundation and is worked in the round, increasing at the ends to create an oval shape. Start with Color B (Pink).
| Round | Instructions | Stitch Count |
| Foundation | Ch 10. | 10 chs |
| Round 1 | (Start on 2nd ch from hook) Sc in 2nd ch and in next 7 chs. 5 sc in the last ch. Rotate to work up the other side of the foundation chain. Sc in next 7 chs. 3 sc in the last ch. Join with sl st to first sc. | 22 sts |
| Round 2 | Ch 1 (does not count as st). Hdc in same st and in next 7 sts. 2 hdc in next 5 sts. Hdc in next 7 sts. 2 hdc in next 3 sts. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 30 sts |
| Round 3 | Ch 1. Hdc in same st and in next 7 sts. *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st*. Repeat from * to * 5 times. Hdc in next 7 sts. *1 hdc in next st, 2 hdc in next st*. Repeat from * to * 3 times. Join with sl st to first hdc. FO Color B. | 38 sts |
- Sole Length Check: The finished sole should measure about 3.25 inches (8.5 cm).
2️⃣ The Sides and Foot
Now we establish the sides of the bootie and switch to Color A (White).
| Row/Round | Instructions | Stitch Count |
| Round 4 | Attach Color A. Ch 1. Sc in the BLO all the way around. Join with sl st to first sc. Working in BLO creates a defined edge separating the sole from the foot. | 38 sts |
| Round 5 | Ch 1. Hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 38 sts |
| Round 6 | Ch 1. Hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 38 sts |
3️⃣ Shaping the Toe
We now decrease stitches at the front center to create the curve of the toe.
| Row/Round | Instructions | Stitch Count |
| Round 7 | Ch 1. Hdc in next 11 sts. (Front Center) *Hdc2tog*. Repeat from * to * 8 times. Hdc in remaining 11 sts. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 30 sts |
| Round 8 | Ch 1. Hdc in next 11 sts. (Front Center) *Hdc2tog*. Repeat from * to * 4 times. Hdc in remaining 11 sts. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 26 sts |
4️⃣ The Ankle and Cuff
This section builds the height of the bootie. The pattern uses the Double Crochet (DC) stitch to transition to the cuff and introduces the contrast color stripe.
| Row/Round | Instructions | Stitch Count |
| Round 9 | Ch 2 (counts as first dc). Dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-2. | 26 sts |
| Round 10 | Attach Color B (Pink). Ch 1. Sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. FO Color B. | 26 sts |
| Round 11 | Attach Color A (White). Ch 2 (counts as first dc). Dc in each st around. Join with sl st to top of beg ch-2. | 26 sts |
| Round 12 | Ch 1. Hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 26 sts |
| Round 13 | Ch 1. Hdc in each st around. Join with sl st to first hdc. | 26 sts |
| Round 14 | Ch 1. (Top Cuff Edge) Sc in each st around. Join with sl st to first sc. FO Color A. | 26 sts |
🧵 Finishing Touches
The two-tone pattern is complete! Now for the final steps to prepare the booties for little feet.
- Weaving in Ends: Use your yarn needle to carefully weave in all yarn tails on the inside of the bootie. Be sure to secure the color change joins tightly.
- The Second Bootie: Repeat all steps exactly to create a matching pair.
- Styling the Cuff: The height of the cuff (Rounds 11–14) is designed to be easily rolled down, as seen in the photograph, exposing the pink contrast stripe and keeping the baby’s ankles warm.
Video Tutorial:
✨ Customization and Sizing Notes
Adjusting Size
To modify this pattern for a larger foot (e.g., 6–12 months), the sole is the main area you’ll need to expand.
- Start Chain: Increase the starting chain by 2–4 stitches (e.g., chain 12 or 14).
- Sole Rounds: Work an additional sole increase round before starting Round 4. The pattern for this extra round would be a standard increase round: work 1 hdc in every st, except at the toe and heel curves where you would place 3 hdc in the single st at the tips of the curve, placing 2 hdc in the other stitches in the curve.
- Foot Length: Before starting the toe decreases (Round 7), add 1–2 plain HDC rounds.
- Cuff: Add 2–4 extra rows to the cuff section for more height.
Color and Texture Variation
- Stitch Variety: For a different texture, replace the HDC stitches in Rounds 5 and 6 with SC (Single Crochet) for a denser, flatter fabric, or DC (Double Crochet) for a lacier, quicker knit.
- Stripes: Instead of a single pink row (Round 10), alternate two rows of Color B (pink) with two rows of Color A (white) for a bolder striped cuff.
- Tie Strap: If you find the booties tend to slip off, use a length of Color B yarn and weave it in and out between the DC stitches of Round 9. Tie the ends in a small bow over the instep to secure the bootie.
