Baby booties are one of the best small projects in knitting. They use a few grams of yarn, they finish in an evening, and they make a sweet baby shower gift that people actually keep. If you are new to knitting, booties are also a gentle way to practice shaping without committing to a whole sweater.
Below you will find 12 free knit baby booties patterns we opened and checked. There are simple garter stitch pairs, booties with built-in ties, styles that really stay on little feet, and a few playful ones with bunny ears and fox faces.
Knit Baby Booties Free Patterns
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What You’ll Need
- Soft DK or sport weight baby yarn
- Straight knitting needles in US 5 to US 8 (3.75–5 mm)
- Double-pointed needles for small rounds
- Tapestry needle for seaming
- Locking stitch markers
- Narrow satin ribbon for ties
- Small sharp scissors
1. Saartje’s Bootees
Photo: Saartje de Bruijn (Ravelry)
This is one of the best-known free bootie patterns online, and for good reason. The booties are worked flat in garter stitch in two colors and finished with a button, so they look like a tiny pair of shoes. Fine yarn gives them a neat, polished look, so they make a lovely heirloom gift. Expect a bit of seaming at the end.
- Designer: Saartje de Bruijn (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: fingering (#1)
- Needle size: 2.5 mm (US 1½)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
2. Christine’s Stay-On Baby Booties
Photo: Christine Bourquin (Ravelry)
If you have ever watched a baby kick off a pair of booties in seconds, this pattern is the answer. Ribbing along the sides hugs the foot and ankle so the booties stay put. It is an old favorite that first appeared in a magazine letter decades ago and is still shared today. Thin yarn and small needles keep the fabric soft and snug.
- Designer: Christine Bourquin (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: fingering (#1)
- Needle size: 2.25 mm (US 1)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
3. Strawberry Seed Baby Booties
These two-color garter booties have a white body and a pink sole and toe, with a row of eyelets you can thread a ribbon through. Short rows shape the toe cap, and there is only one small seam at the back. The pattern comes in five sizes up to 24 months, and it is part of a matching baby set if you want to keep going.
- Designer: Hortense, Knitting with Chopsticks
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 5 mm (US 8)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
4. Bunny Booties
Photo: Louise Bollanos, Handy Little Me
Little bunny ears sit on top of each toe, with a tiny embroidered face, so these booties look like a pair of rabbits peeking out. They are knit flat on straight needles, starting at the sole, with short rows for the top of the foot and a ribbed cuff. They are a great choice for an Easter baby or a spring baby shower.
- Designer: Louise Bollanos, Handy Little Me
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free written pattern + paid PDF
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
5. Fox Booties
Photo: Claire Garland for Let’s Knit
These newborn booties turn each toe into a little fox face. They use garter stitch, ribbing and short-row shaping, so they are a fun step up once you have made a plain pair. They make a great gift for a woodland-themed nursery. You will need a free Let’s Knit account to download the pattern.
- Designer: Claire Garland for Let’s Knit
- Skill level: Intermediate
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 3.75 mm (US 5)
- Price: Free (free account required)
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
6. Blossom Booties
Photo: Lion Brand Yarn
Blossom Booties use a slip stitch pattern that gives the fabric a soft, textured look. Fine weight yarn keeps them light, so they are good for spring and summer babies. Lion Brand rates them easy, which makes them a nice second or third bootie project once you are comfortable with basic shaping.
- Designer: Lion Brand Yarn
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: fine / sport (#2)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
7. Bernat Baby’s Booties
This is a simple, quick pair of booties that comes in three sizes: 3, 6 and 12 months. That size range is handy if you want to make a set that grows with the baby. The pattern suggests a cotton yarn or a soft satin acrylic, both easy to wash. It is a reliable pick for a baby shower basket.
- Designer: Bernat (Yarnspirations)
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: Bernat Handicrafter Cotton or Bernat Satin (see pattern)
- Needle size: see pattern
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
8. Tiny Treads
Tiny Treads are knit flat in one piece, then folded and seamed, which keeps the steps very simple. Crochet ties finish the ankle so they stay on. One ball of yarn makes several pairs, so this is a smart pattern for charity knitting or a stack of gifts. The pattern is rated basic and sized for 6 to 12 months.
- Designer: Universal Yarn Design Team
- Skill level: Beginner
- Yarn: Universal Yarn Mystical Marl (see pattern)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
9. Kinzie Newborn Baby Booties
Photo: Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days
The Kinzie booties are worked flat from one short set of rows, then sewn along the sole and back. The cuff folds down for a neat finish. They use only 12 to 15 grams of DK yarn, so this is the perfect way to use up leftovers. Marianna’s patterns are a favorite with knitters who make booties for hospitals and charities.
- Designer: Marianna’s Lazy Daisy Days
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
10. Tuck Fold Baby Booties
Photo: The Knitting Times
These booties are all garter stitch, but a tuck fold at the base adds a little detail that looks more advanced than it is. There is an eyelet row for ribbon and a fold-over ankle. The designer suggests a smaller needle if you want a snugger fit, so you can tweak them for a range of tiny feet, roughly newborn to 9 months.
- Designer: The Knitting Times
- Skill level: Easy
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 3.5 mm (US 4)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
11. Tie-On Newborn Baby Booties
Photo: Heather, Daisy and Storm
The clever part of this pattern is the ties. They are made as you knit, by casting on and binding off extra stitches, so there is nothing to sew on later. The sole is stockinette and the sides are garter, with a little tongue at the front. Each pair needs only about 15 grams of DK yarn.
- Designer: Heather, Daisy and Storm
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: DK (#3)
- Needle size: 4 mm (US 6)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
12. Cutie Booties
Photo: Diane L. Augustin (Ravelry)
Cutie Booties are worked in worsted weight yarn, so they knit up fast and feel cozy. The designer uses them to teach stripes, which makes them a good scrap-yarn project. The pattern also includes a doll size, so you can make a matching pair for a favorite toy.
- Designer: Diane L. Augustin (Ravelry)
- Skill level: see pattern
- Yarn: worsted (#4)
- Needle size: 4.5 mm (US 7)
- Price: Free
- Get the pattern: Get the free pattern →
Which One Should You Make?
- First pair of booties ever? Start with #8 Tiny Treads or #10 Tuck Fold Baby Booties. Both use simple stitches and clear steps.
- Want booties that really stay on? Try #2 Christine’s Stay-On Baby Booties or #11 with built-in ties.
- Making a baby shower gift? #1 Saartje’s Bootees and #3 Strawberry Seed look polished and special.
- Want something cute and fun? Go for #4 Bunny Booties or #5 Fox Booties.
- Using up scraps? #9 Kinzie and #12 Cutie Booties need very little yarn.
FAQ
What yarn is best for knit baby booties?
Choose a soft yarn that can go in the washing machine. Superwash wool, cotton blends and baby acrylic all work well. DK and sport weights are the most common for booties because they give a soft, flexible fabric that is not too bulky for a small foot. Avoid fuzzy yarns that shed.
How long does it take to knit baby booties?
Most pairs take one to three evenings. Simple garter stitch booties in DK or worsted yarn can be done in a couple of hours each. Booties in fingering weight yarn, or with colorwork and extra details like ears, take longer. Remember that you need to knit two, so plan time for the second one.
How do I keep baby booties from falling off?
Look for patterns with ribbed cuffs, ties, straps or a snug ankle. Ribbing pulls in and grips the leg. Ties made of ribbon or i-cord can be knotted gently around the ankle. You can also knit with a smaller needle for a firmer fabric. Always check that ties are secure and not too tight.
Pick a pattern, grab some soft yarn, and you could have a finished pair of knit baby booties by this weekend.