Free Knitting Pattern – 1 Hour Baby Booties (Sock Yarn)

If you’ve ever needed a last-minute baby gift, these sweet little slippers are a lifesaver. Worked in simple garter stitch, they knit up in about an hour and use only a small amount of sock yarn. The finished pair is newborn size, but I’ll share how to adjust them for bigger feet too.

Get more details about this project

What you need

• Yarn: 1 skein of sock or fingering weight yarn (variegated yarns look especially fun)
• Needles: US 1 (2.25 mm) double-pointed needles or two 16″ circulars
  (You can also use straights to begin the sole section)
• Notions: Yarn needle for finishing, stitch marker

Gauge

30 sts = 4″ / 10 cm in garter stitch.
(Don’t worry if it’s not exact—consistency matters more than perfection.)

Instructions

Step 1 – Knit the Sole

The sole is worked flat in garter stitch.

1. Cast on 7 stitches.
2. Knit 2 rows.
3. Work these 2 rows until you have 15 stitches:
   • Row 1: K1, knit front & back (increase), knit to last 3 sts, kfb, K2
   • Row 2: Knit
4. Continue knitting every row until the sole measures about 2½” from the cast-on edge.
5. Begin decreasing:
   • Row 1: K1, K2tog, knit to last 3 sts, K2tog, K1
   • Row 2: Knit
   • Repeat until 5 sts remain.

Do not bind off. Keep these 5 sts live.

Step 2 – Pick Up Stitches

• With the same needle, pick up 28 stitches along the sole edge to the toe.
• With another needle, pick up 29 stitches from the other side up to just before the 5 live stitches.
• Knit 2 of the live stitches onto that second needle.
• You’ll now have 31 stitches on each needle.
• Place marker at the heel (beginning of round).

Step 3 – Shape the Upper

Work the rest of the slipper in garter stitch in the round (purl 1 round, knit 1 round).

• Round 1 & all odd rounds: Purl
• Round 2: K25, K2tog, K8, SSK, K25
• Round 4: K24, K2tog, K8, SSK, K24
• Round 6: K23, K2tog, K8, SSK, K23
• Round 8: K22, K2tog, K8, SSK, K22
• Round 10: K21, (K2tog) x3, (SSK) x3, K21
• Round 12: K18, (K2tog) x3, (SSK) x3, K18
• Round 14: K15, (K2tog) x3, (SSK) x3, K15
• Round 15: Purl

Bind off loosely knitwise.

Finishing Touches

• Weave in ends neatly.
• Make a second slipper the same way.
• Slip them onto tiny toes—or gift them to a new mum who’ll be delighted.

✨ Size Tip: To make larger booties, simply knit the middle section of the sole longer and pick up a few more stitches along the sides.