Baby Bootie ornament

Skill-level: Intermediate - Advanced

Materials:

• 1 skein of 4 Ply wool or wool blend

• Size D/3 (3.25mm) crochet hook

• Snips

• Stitch counters (opt.)

• 1/8 inch ribbon bow (opt.)

Crafter’s Note:
This project came as a result of my “cleaning binge” in the studio; ever since this past October, I’ve been scrambling to get my home-studio in better working order. For me, that means getting rid of all the extra materials I have on hand, either by donating locally, or by using it up. Which ever comes first!

This was a project I really wanted to make in preparation for next year: a few of my friends are getting ready to have their first babies! So while I’ve been busy making new Christmas ornaments, I thought why not design my own take on “Baby’s First Christmas” ? While there are literally dozens of options available for designing an ornament like this, I decided to go with a little pair of slippers, simply because tiny shoes are literally the cutest things about babies (at least to me).

This pattern is modeled after a crochet-slipper pattern from one of my personal favorite references, “The Cool Girl’s Guide to Crochet” by Nicki Trench.

I may be biased, but I highly recommend this book to any new beginners! The patterns are easy to follow, and it includes fun little tidbits about the history of crochet.

As always, though, feel free to put your own spin on this pattern and really make it your own. :)

Instructions:

The sole:

1. ch. 12, then ch 1 and sc 2 into the 2nd chain from hook;

2. sc across the chain, then sc 4 into the last ch sp of row- this is how you will turn your work;

3. sc across row, then sc 2 into the last ch sp (creating 4 sc at the starting ch); sl st into the 1st sc, then ch 1 to begin next rnd;

4. sc 2 into first st, then sc 2 into next 2 sts; sc strait for next 8 sts, then 2 sc int the next 6 sts, turning the work as you go;

5. sc strait for the next 9 sts, then 2 sc into the last 2 sts; sl st into the last sc, then ch 1 to begin next rnd;

6. 2 hdc into the first st, then 2 hdc for the next 3 sts; next 2 hdc and then sc 6 across the rnd; hdc into the next 2 sts, then 2 hdc into the next 13 sts, turning the work as you go;

7. hdc into the next 2 sts, and then sc 6; hdc into next 2 sts, then 2 hdc into the last 2 sc; sl st into the last sc of rnd, then ch 1 to begin last rnd of the sole;

8. hdc across the rnd without increase or decrease; sl st into beginning st to close off rnd;

Shaping:

1. ch 1 then hdc into the 2 back loops of the first st; hdc strait across rnd, using the back loops of each st;

2. at the end of the rnd, do NOT sl st as before; simply hdc into the 2 back loops of the first st and crochet strait for the next 12 sts; then decrease 1 in the very next st;

3. hdc strait for the next 32 sts; then decrease 1 in next st;

4. hdc to the end of the rnd, then strait for the next rnd;

5. hdc 28 across rnd, until you reach the tip of the “toe;” decrease 1, then hdc across to the end of the rnd;

6. hdc 18 across rnd, then dc for the next 6 sts; decrease 5 at the tip of the toe; dc for the next 6 sts, then hdc across rest of the rnd;

7. hdc 15 across next rnd, then dc for the next 5 sts; next decrease 6 sts at toe, then dc 5 sts; hdc across to the end of the rnd; sl st into the last st of the rnd;
   

Final touch:

1. ch 2 then skip next st and sc 1; *ch 1, skip next st, then sc 1 into next st;*
   Repeat * across rnd;

2. at the end of the rnd, ch 1 then sl st into the 2nd ch of start; clip and tuck the yarn;

3. clip length of ribbon and weave it through the top of the slipper; tie off and secure;

4. add a little hanger on the back heel of the shoe if desired;

Follow the instructions to make a second slipper for a matching set, if you so desire. Then go hang on the tree and welcome your new baby to the family!

Merry Christmas!