A080 8ply Plain & Simple Booties

How to Knit 8 Ply Plain and Simple Baby Booties

Knit a classic pair of baby booties with a garter-stitch foot, shaped toe and stretchy ribbed cuff. The booties are worked flat from the sole upwards, then joined with a simple sole and back seam.

The pattern includes three sizes for babies from newborn to approximately six months. The long ribbed cuff can be folded over for a neat, comfortable finish.

Project Details

• Project number: A080
• Difficulty: Easy knit
• Sizes: Newborn, 3 months and 6 months
• Construction: Knitted flat from the sole
• Quantity: Make 2 booties

Finished Measurements

• Newborn: fits a foot approximately 7 cm long
• 3 months: fits a foot approximately 8 cm long
• 6 months: fits a foot approximately 9 cm long

What You Will Need

Yarn

The original pattern recommends one ball of any of the following 8 ply yarns:

• Lincraft Cosy Wool 8 Ply
• Lincraft Superwash 8 Ply
• Lincraft DK 8 Ply
• Lincraft Supersoft 8 Ply

One ball should be sufficient for a pair in any of the three sizes.

Needles and Equipment

• Pair of 4.00 mm knitting needles
• Wool needle for sewing the seams and weaving in ends

Alternative Yarns

Choose a soft DK or 8 ply yarn suitable for baby garments. The replacement yarn should produce a comfortable, flexible fabric on approximately 4.00 mm needles.

• Machine-washable 8 ply wool: A warm and practical choice with good elasticity and stitch definition.
• Merino or merino-blend 8 ply: Produces soft, warm booties that sit comfortably against a baby’s skin.
• Acrylic 8 ply: An economical and easy-care option suited to frequent washing.
• Wool and acrylic blend: Combines warmth and resilience with easier care and reduced shrinkage.
• Cotton or cotton-blend 8 ply: Creates a lighter bootie for warmer weather, although it may have less stretch than wool.

Select a smooth, soft and non-shedding yarn. Avoid yarns containing loose fibres, sequins, beads, metallic strands or other detachable decorations.

Tension

The project sheet does not provide a stated tension. Check the bootie against the listed foot measurement as you work, particularly when using an alternative yarn.

A thicker yarn or tighter tension may produce a smaller, firmer bootie, while a finer yarn or looser tension may increase the finished size.

Knitting Abbreviations

• K: knit
• P: purl
• M1: make one stitch
• K2tog: knit two stitches together
• Sl1: slip one stitch
• PSSO: pass the slipped stitch over
• St or sts: stitch or stitches
• Rep: repeat
• Beg: beginning
• Garter stitch: knit every row

What Is Garter Stitch?

Garter stitch is created by knitting every row. It forms a soft, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges and does not curl at the edges.

The sole, foot and toe of these booties are worked mainly in garter stitch.

Understanding the Rib Cuff

The cuff uses K1, P1 rib, which is formed by alternating one knit stitch and one purl stitch across the row.

• First rib row: K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to the end.
• Second rib row: P1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to the end.

Ribbing creates a stretchy cuff that helps the bootie stay gently in place.

Size Instructions

The first stitch count applies to the newborn size. Figures in brackets apply to the 3-month and 6-month sizes in that order.

Begin the First Bootie

1. Using 4.00 mm needles, cast on 27 (31–35) stitches.
2. Row 1, wrong side: Knit.

Shape the Sole

3. Row 2: Work [K1, M1, K12 (14–16), M1] twice, then K1. 31 (35–39) stitches.
4. Row 3: Knit.
5. Row 4: Work [K1, M1, K14 (16–18), M1] twice, then K1. 35 (39–43) stitches.
6. Row 5: Knit.
7. Row 6: Work [K1, M1, K16 (18–20), M1] twice, then K1. 39 (43–47) stitches.

Work the Foot

1. Knit 7 (9–11) rows in garter stitch.
2. Finish ready to begin the toe shaping.

Shape the Toe

1. Toe Row 1: K16 (18–20), K2tog, K3, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K1, then turn.
2. Toe Row 2: K2tog, K3, Sl1, K1, PSSO, K1, then turn.
3. Repeat Toe Row 2 four more times.
4. Toe Row 7: K2tog, K3, Sl1, K1, PSSO, then knit to the end of the row.
5. You should have 25 (29–33) stitches.
6. Toe Row 8: Knit.

Knit the Ribbed Cuff

1. Cuff Row 1: K1, *P1, K1; repeat from * to the end.
2. Cuff Row 2: P1, *K1, P1; repeat from * to the end.
3. Repeat Cuff Rows 1 and 2 until the cuff measures 6 (7–8) cm.
4. Finish after Cuff Row 2.
5. Cast off loosely in rib.

Make the Second Bootie

Repeat the complete sole, foot, toe and cuff instructions to make a second matching bootie.

Assemble the Booties

1. Fold each bootie with the sole edges and back edges aligned.
2. Using a flat seam, join the sole from the toe towards the heel.
3. Continue sewing up the back of the bootie.
4. Keep the seam flat and avoid pulling it too tightly.
5. Weave in all loose yarn ends securely on the inside.
6. Fold the ribbed cuff over towards the outside.
7. Gently shape the bootie by hand.