I was looking for a neat crochet project that would be great for a baby nearing a year old and I stumbled on this design which is perfect for the cooler months to come. Next thing I know I was working on this: "Baby High Top Booties - Toddler/Child Size" pattern from Crochet Geek. I'm not sure about the sizes though and this size chart recommended 13" for a 6 month to 1 year old child. I worked on the original pattern and customized it to reach the target foot size.
Below is the original instructions written by Teresa Richardson. Embedded text in red font are my comments.
Video Tutorial: Crochet Baby High Top Booties
Skill Level - Intermediate
Size Estimate
Hook H/5 mm - Size 6"/15.2cm Sole - I used 4mm hook to make it tighter
Abbreviations
FHDC - Foundation Half Double Crochet
SL ST - Slip Stitch
HDC - Half Double Crochet
EA - Each
CH- Chain
MC - Magic Circle
HDC DEC - Half Double Crochet Decrease
( ) - Parenthesis - The parenthesis are used to include how many stitches are made on each round or other information of relevance.
Half Double Crochet Decrease - The HDC DEC is worked over 2 stitches to join and reduce it down to 1 stitch. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook in the first stitch, pull the yarn through the stitch. Leave all 3 loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook in the next stitch, Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through. There are 5 loops on the hook. Wrap the yarn over the hook and pull the yarn through all 5 loops to complete the half double crochet decrease.
SOLE
Round 1 - Side 1:
Round 1 - Side 2: Work 1 HDC in ea of the next
Round 2: Ch 1, pull up, this chain will not count as a stitch, only a step up to make the rest of the stitches. 2 HDC in the same ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next
Round 3: Ch 1, pull up, this chain will not count as a stitch, only a step up to make the rest of the stitches. 2 HDC in the same ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next
(Increase Section) 2 HDC in the next ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next 2 St's, 2 HDC in the next ST. 2 HDC in the next ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next 2 St's. 2 HDC in the next ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next
(Increase Section) 2 HDC in the next ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next 2 St's, 2 HDC in the next ST. 2 HDC in the next ST. 1 HDC in ea of the next 2 St's. Join with the beginning HDC. Do not cut the yarn, you will be able to join it on round 5. (
Sole measured 12cm. which is close to what I was aiming for (13cm).
Round 4: Ch1. Create a 90-degree angle by doing 1 HDC in ea "back" (see image below, notice how the finished stitches in round 4 are "standing up") ST around. Join at the beginning of the round. Cut and change color. (
Round 5: Ch1. 1 HDC in ea ST around. Join at the beginning of the round. Do not cut the yarn. Leave color for round 7. (
Round 6: Contrasting color of your choice. Attach the new color with a SL ST. CH 1, Work 1 SC in ea ST around, join. Cut the yarn and sew in the tail. (
Round 7: Pull the loop from Round 5 up through the top of the closest single crochet on Round 5. Ch 1, pull up, this chain will not count as a stitch, only a step up to make the rest of the stitches. Work 1 HDC in ea ST around, join. Cut the yarn and sew in the tail. (
Toe Top
Magic circle, CH 1. Work 6 HDC in the loop, pull shut, CH 1, turn, Work 2 HDC in EA ST around for a total of 12HDC. CH 1, turn. Work 2 HDC in each stitch around for a total of 24. Knot to magic circle so it will not come apart.
Cut off a long length of tail for either technique. It will be used to sew the toe top to the sole of the bootie.
Attaching Toe top to Sole
Find the front center of the sole. Mark with a yarn marker. Count back 12 stitches. Whip stitch (tutorial, if needed) the each individual stitch of the top, top to the matching stitch of the sole.
Tongue
Row 1: Attach the yarn with a slip stitch to the toe top, CH 1, Evenly work 12 HDC across toe top.(12 Half Double Crochet Total)
Row 2-7: CH 1, 1 HDC in ea HDC across. Cut the Yarn. ( 12 Half Double Crochet Total)
Ankle Side
Row 1: Attach color of choice to the first HDC on the right side of sole. Overlap with the last stitch from sewing the toe top in. CH 1, pull up, work 1 HDC same stitch, 2HDC in next stitch, 1HDC each around, 2HDC in last 2 stitches and 1HDC in same stitch as where you sewed the toe top in. I included extra stitches to make the ankle space larger. (
Row 2: CH 1, pull up, this will not count as a stitch, Work 1 HDC in ea HDC around. (
Row 3: CH 1, SK the first HDC, Work 1 HDC in ea of the next
Row 4: CH 1, SK the first HDC, Work 1 HDC in ea of the next
Row 5: CH 1, SK the first HDC, Work 1 HDC in ea of the next
Row 6: CH 1, SK the first HDC, Work 1 HDC in ea of the next
Row 7: CH 1, Work 1 HDC in ea of the next
Eyelet Edging and Tongue Edging
Attach same color yarn, as side or color of your choice to the top left of bootie. Work the next stitches evenly along the lace edge. CH 1, *SC, CH 2, 2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC, CH 2, 2 SC.* There wil be 5 eyelet loops. Work single crochet evenly along the 3 sides of the tongue. Repeat between the two asterisks * one time for the opposite eyelet edging. Cut the yarn and sew in the tail.
Ankle Edging Top
With a contrasting color or color of your choice, work 1 row of single crochet across to top. Cut the yarn and sew in the tail.
Lace
Chain
Star Emblem
Circle behind star - Chain 7, join. CH 1, pull up loop. Work 12 HDC in the loop. Join with the beginning HDC
Star
Technique 1 - Magic Circle , *CH 3, SL ST in loop, repeate 5 times total from *.
Technique 2 - Chain 3, join, *CH 3, SL ST in loop, repeate 5 times total from *.
Align the star on top of the circle using the best blending color of yarn, to attach the emblem, sewing all pieces at once. Knot and sew in all the tails.
Finished booties:
