Mary Janes

When I was about 17 my grandmother taught me how to knit. To be honest, I have knitted very few things...a black mohair scarf, another purple attempt at a scarf (it didn't make it to the end) and what started as a bllanket but soon ended as a pot holder.

However, once I got pregnant with crazy kid I began to knit a bit more. I knew I didn't have the patience or skill to do a blanket, but I could make booties and so I did. His first pair of shoes where white booties with a blue ribbon stitched lovingly by me. He wore them on his way home from the hospital and he wore them at his dedication, plus some times in between.

So...that being said I am now working on a pair of booties for baby. And then I started thinking, I am going to see if I can make some cute shoes for her to wear as well, she's born in december so it's perfect bootie wearing time!

In my searching I came upon this website for super cute mary janes and to top it off, they look super easy to make. So I am adding the pattern here and website and if you would like to take a stab...Go for it. In the meantime, I will keep you posted on my progress.

Size0-6 months Foot length: Approximately 3 inches (7.5cm) Ankle:Approximately 4 inches (10cm) circumference with strap buttoned

What You'll NeedYarn: Sport weight yarn, 137 yards [125m]
Notions: Stitch holder; tapestry needle; 2 small buttons, about 1/4-1/2" (6-1.3cm); sewing needle and thread to match yarn

Gauge24 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.R

ows 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.

Making baby booties works for me! For more stuff that works, click here.