Welcome to the pattern for the Two-Tone Cozy Bootie! This beautiful and deceptively simple design is created entirely from a flat, textured rectangle using Half Double Crochet (HDC) in the back loop only. This technique brilliantly mimics the cozy, ridged look of knitted garter stitch. The bootie features a seamless look, a neatly shaped toe achieved through strategic decreases, and a stylish color-block cuff.
This pattern is ideal for crocheters seeking a quick, elegant baby shoe that fits perfectly and is soft against delicate skin. Let’s get started!
🧵 Materials & Tools
Gather your supplies. Choosing two complementary colors for the main body and the cuff will give you the signature look of this pattern.
- Yarn: Approximately 60-80 grams of DK Weight (Category 3) or light Worsted Weight (Category 4) yarn. Select a soft, anti-pilling yarn.
- Color A (Main Body): Approx. 50g (e.g., White or Neutral)
- Color B (Cuff Accent): Approx. 20g (e.g., Contrasting Color)
- Hook: 3.5 mm (US size E/4) or 4.0 mm (US size G/6) crochet hook. Use the size that gives you a tight, dense, and structured fabric.
- Notions:
- Tapestry needle (essential for seaming and weaving in ends).
- Scissors.
- Measuring tape.
- Stitch markers (optional, but helpful for marking decrease points).
📏 Sizing & Gauge
This pattern is written for a standard newborn size. The foundation of this design is the correct starting chain length, which determines the entire circumference of the foot.
Standard Size: Newborn (0-3 Months)
- Starting Chain: Chain 38. (Results in 37 stitches in Row 1).
- Circumference Length (Approximate): 18 cm (7 inches).
- Finished Sole Length: Designed to fit a foot approximately 9 cm (3.5 inches) long.
Adjusting the Size
The length of the starting chain dictates the circumference of the finished bootie.
- Rule of Thumb: Measure the baby’s foot from heel to toe. Chain a length that is equal to double that measurement in circumference.
- Stitch Count: Ensure your starting chain is an even number so your initial stitch count is an odd number (e.g., Ch 38 for 37 stitches). This helps center the toe decrease.
📚 Abbreviations & Special Stitches (US Terms)
This pattern relies heavily on working into the Back Loop Only to create its signature ribbed texture.
| Abbreviation | Stitch Name |
| ch | Chain |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
| sl st | Slip Stitch |
| sc | Single Crochet |
| hdc | Half Double Crochet |
| BLO | Back Loop Only |
| HDCdec | Half Double Crochet Decrease |
Special Technique: Working in the Back Loop Only (BLO)
Insert your hook only under the back horizontal loop of the stitch, leaving the front loop unworked. Working BLO on every row pushes the unused front loop forward, creating the raised horizontal ridge that mimics the beautiful knitted garter stitch.
Special Stitch: HDCdec (Half Double Crochet Decrease)
Yarn over (YO), insert hook into the next st, YO, pull up a loop (3 loops on hook), YO, insert hook into the next st, YO, pull up a loop (5 loops on hook), YO, pull through all 5 loops. (Reduces 2 stitches to 1).
👣 Part 1: The Foundation (Sole & Heel)
This section, worked in Color A, forms the lower part of the bootie and will eventually become the sole and heel.
Preparation: With Color A, Chain 38.
Row 1 (Foundation):
- HDC in the 2nd ch from the hook and in every chain across.(37 HDC)
Row 2 (Ribbing Row):
- Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Turn your work.
- HDC in the BLO of the first stitch and in the BLO of every stitch across.(37 HDC)
Rows 3 – 7 (Continue Ribbing):
- Repeat Row 2 until you have completed a total of 7 rows (creating 3 full ridges).
- This section should measure approximately 3.5 – 4 cm (1.4 – 1.6 inches) in height.
🔽 Part 2: The Toe Shaping (Central Decreases)
We now begin the crucial shaping to form the toe cap. These decreases are centered along the row.
Row 8 (First Decrease Row – RS):
- Ch 1. Turn your work.
- HDC in the BLO of the next 14 stitches. (Side/Heel section).
- Decrease Section: Work HDCdec 5 times. (This reduces 10 stitches down to 5).
- HDC in the BLO of the last 13 stitches.(32 HDC remaining)
Row 9 (Stabilizing Row – WS):
- Ch 1. Turn your work.
- HDC in the BLO of every stitch across.(32 HDC)
Row 10 (Second Decrease Row – RS):
- Ch 1. Turn your work.
- HDC in the BLO of the next 11 stitches.
- Decrease Section: Work HDCdec 5 times.
- HDC in the BLO of the last 11 stitches.(27 HDC remaining)
Row 11 (Stabilizing Row – WS):
- Ch 1. Turn your work.
- HDC in the BLO of every stitch across.
- Fasten off Color A, leaving a tail long enough to weave in securely.
⬆️ Part 3: The Ankle & Cuff (Color Block)
We will now add the contrasting color (Color B) to create a neat, finished edge around the ankle. We will switch to Single Crochet (SC) for a slightly cleaner finish.
Row 12 (Color Change – RS):
- Join Color B to the first stitch. Ch 1 (does not count as a st). Turn your work.
- SC in the BLO of the first stitch and in the BLO of every stitch across.(27 SC)
Row 13 (Cuff Edge – WS):
- Ch 1. Turn your work.
- SC in the BLO of every stitch across.(27 SC)
Row 14 (Final Edge – RS):
- Ch 1. Turn your work.
- SC in the BLO of every stitch across.
- Cut yarn, leaving an extremely generous tail (at least 60 cm / 24 inches) for seaming. Pull the tail through the last loop to fasten off.
✂️ Part 4: Assembly and Finishing
The bootie is transformed from a flat panel into its 3D shape through strategic seaming and cinching.
1. Seam the Ankle/Cuff (Back Heel)
- Fold: Turn the entire piece to the Wrong Side (WS). Fold the piece in half so the two short ends (the row edges) align.
- Seam: Use the long tail from Color B and a tapestry needle to securely sew the short edges together. Start at the top of the cuff (Row 14) and sew down toward the toe decrease section (Row 11). Use a strong whipstitch or mattress stitch.
2. Seam the Sole & Cinch the Toe
- Continue Seaming: Continue sewing the raw edges together, working from the ankle/heel seam toward the front of the foot. You are now seaming the side of the toe shaping to the corresponding foundation row edge.
- Cinch the Toe: When you reach the front tip (the center of the toe decrease area from Row 10), use a running stitch or zigzag stitch to pass the needle through the loops along the entire remaining raw edge of the toe tip.
- Pull Tightly: Pull the thread firmly to cinch and close the toe tip completely, forming the rounded toe shape. Knot securely.
- Cinch the Heel: Go back to the back heel corner (where the heel seam meets the sole). Work a running stitch through the loops along the corner and pull the thread firmly to cinch the heel into a rounded shape. Knot securely.
- Finishing: Weave all remaining yarn tails securely into the interior seams.
Video Tutorial:
💖 Final Touches & Variations
- Turn Right Side Out: Turn the bootie to the right side and gently shape the toe and heel with your fingers.
- Customization:
- Ribbon Tie: Thread a ribbon or a thin crocheted chain through the space created by the SC rows in the cuff for an adjustable tie.
- Buttons/Pompom: Add a decorative pompom to the front of the ankle or a cute button to the side of the cuff.
Repeat all steps to create the second matching bootie! Your beautiful, cozy two-tone booties are complete!
