Free Baby Mary Jane Booties Knitting Pattern

These soft-and-silky booties are as cute as a classic pair of Mary Janes. Knit in the softest cashmere blend, they make a perfect foot covering for baby.

Picture of three pairs of knitted Mary Jane baby booties.
Cute as can be, these hand-knit Mary
Janes are also soft on baby's foot.

Size

0-6 months

Foot length: Approximately 3 inches (7.5cm)

Ankle: Approximately 4 inches (10cm) circumference with strap buttoned

What You'll Need

Yarn: Sport weight yarn, 137 yards [125m]

We used: Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (55% merino wool, 33% microfiber, 12% cashmere; 137 yards [125 meters] per 50g skein): #605 (blue), #506 (yellow), #601 (pink), 1 skein per pair

Needles: US size 3 (3.25mm)

Notions: Stitch holder; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons, about 1/4-1/2" (6-1.3cm); sewing needle and thread to match yarn

Gauge

24 stitches and 52 rows=4" (10cm)

Making the Left Bootie

Cast on 31 stitches.

Row 1: Knit all stitches.
Row 2: Knit 1, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 1, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 1. (35 stitches)
Row 3: Knit.
Row 4: Knit 2, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 3, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 2. (39 stitches)
Row 5: Knit.
Row 6: Knit 3, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 5, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 3. (43 stitches)
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: Knit 4, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 7, make 1, knit 14, make 1, knit 4. (47 stitches)
Rows 9-17: Knit all stitches.
Row 18: Knit 15, (work slip slip knit decrease) 4 times, knit 1, (knit 2 together) 4 times, knit 15. (39 stitches)
Row 19: Knit.
Row 20: Knit 9, beginning with next 2 stitches bind off 21 stitches, knit across remaining 9 stitches. (This includes 1 stitch already on right needle after the bind-off.)

Put first set of 9 stitches on holder.

Rows 21-23: Knit 9 stitches on needle.

Bind off all 9 stitches; cut yarn.

Rejoin yarn where you started binding off 21 stitches. Cast on 12 stitches using cable cast-on method.

Row 21: Knit across 12 new stitches and 9 from holder. (21 stitches total)
Row 22 (buttonhole row): Knit 18, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 1. (21 stitches on needle)
Row 23: Knit.

Bind off all stitches.

Making the Right Bootie

Work same as for left bootie through row 20. Put first set of 9 stitches on holder.

Row 21: Knit 9 stitches on needle; turn work and cast on 12 stitches at end of row using cable cast-on method.
Row 22: Knit 21 stitches (beginning with the 12 new stitches).
Row 23 (buttonhole row): Knit 18, knit 2 together, yarn over, knit 1.
Row 24: Knit all 21 stitches.

Bind off all stitches on needle. Cut yarn leaving 40 (10cm) tail to weave in later. Rejoin yarn to stitches on holder.

Rows 21-23: Knit 9 stitches on needle.

Bind off all stitches.

Finishing

Fold bootie with wrong sides together, and using the invisible seam for garter stitch, sew together back of bootie.

Bottom edges: With wrong sides together, whipstitch cast-on edges together.

Buttons: On the outside of the bootie, opposite the strap side, attach button with sewing needle and matching thread (used doubled), stitching through the holes in the button (or over a button shank) several times. Weave sewing thread through several stitches to secure. (Note: Small buttons may pose a choking hazard, so be sure to stitch securely to bootie.)

Weave in all yarn ends to wrong side of work.

Purl of Wisdom

If your buttonholes are not identical, it's best to choose buttons that fit the smallest buttonhole. You can always tighten up the larger buttonholes with scrap yarn and a needle.

For more helpful knitting tips and interesting patterns, try:

Contributing designer: Lucie Sinkler