Tension

I used to think that I had no issues with tension when knitting or crocheting, but I was wrong. Depending on how cold my hands are - or not - can make a really big difference when making something so small as a baby bootie. In one of the first pairs I tried there was quite a bit of differece in the sizing. Not good enough at all, really.

But I'm with the program now as I am knitting then both at once - with two balls of wool.  While you can't whip one up quite so quickly this does answer nicely to my enormous issues of making two things exactly the same.  This green pair in Vanna's choice wool worked up very nicely and I just love the kitty face buttons - which are on there very securely.

And this is another pair for a slightly older child.  I am no expert but I'm guessing about 12-18 months.  The mottled wool is actually quite a lot nicer than I think it shows in the photograph, and I think they're sweet with the matching polka dot buttons.

I've washed and dried the green ones to test and they wash up lovely.  I always wash in cold water and use a delicate setting for wool in the drier.  No fuss - just what a mum needs.

Note to self:  From now on buy two balls of each colour.

Slipper Style Bootie for 6-12 months

This is another pattern winner in the great bootie experiment - I found it here on the hipknitized blog.    A more moccasin style slipper that looks to be ideal for the 6-12 month old.

  The first pair I tried in a simple colour and just added some buttons I had on hand for embellishment. I like this concept and I've ordered some lovely baby buttons - teddy bears, sailer anchors, cats, ducks, hearts, polka dots, stripes and etc.  It should be fun and inspirational when they start arriving.

 This is a variation I think is rather cute - inspired by a bit of a running shoe look.  You could do narrow stripes, 3 or 4 colour options, full stripes or etc.  I have been experimenting - in the form of single edition booties - with quite a few variations, but this is one of my favourite so far.

The little laces, which are crocheted, should help to give them a nice snug fit, and add a bit of whimsy.  Of course this style would also look cute with fancy buttons.

I love simple patterns like this that allow you to get really creative with variations in execution.  I'm thinking the kitty cat buttons would look really cute on that red and cream stripe ... and maybe white bunnies for the pink jacquard.  The slipper in the middle I thought I'd really like ... but it turns out I don't.  You don't know until you try.

Super Cute Baby Booties

Happy New Year everyone! I hope the holidays were wonderful and not too stressful.  I have been taking a break from the never pleasant chores of putting all the Christmas trimmings away - and questioning my sanity as I do every year - to experiment with something new.

These are my very first ever pair of baby booties!!!  Yes, I am rather pleased.  And these little guys are so cute I am already thinking about adapting the pattern for a pair for myself.

 The two rows of knit, two rows of purl gives you a lovely soft and bulky ridged result that should both fit snugly and stretch easily for the growing foot.  While I have never been one to be very caught up by baby things, I must say that holding these little guys in the palm of my hand solicited a surprising "ooooh".  They are super cute and I give this pattern 5 stars.

 They're done on 3.25 mm needles and I find they work best with the thinner baby wools, but a sport weight will produce a good size for a toddler.  You can find the pattern at Knitting-Crochet.com.  As a good newborn baby bootie, no doubt they would also look cute with ribbon or other embellishments.  Soo many possibilities with a lovely simple pattern.  You can imagine them striped can't you?