Amazing Knitting

Knitted Poncho with Hood & Booties - Free pattern

The photo above © DROPS design

What beautiful knitting baby poncho with hood and booty (free pattern)! I found it on Pinterest...

Set of a knitted poncho with hood and booties for baby and children in DROPS Eskimo.

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Sweet Gemma Baby Blanket - Knitting Pattern

Photos above © Triona Murphy & © Savbacke Photography

What beautiful knitting baby blanket pattern! I found it on Ravelry...

Cable and lace number blanket squares are worked individually in the round from the center out and then joined using a crochet hook for this modular blanket. The cable and lace pattern is provided in both charted and written out formats. Knit up in worsted weight yarn, it’s the perfect size for a crib or stroller blanket. You can even use individual squares to make matching pillows.

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Little Eyes Baby Booties – Free Newborn Knitting Pattern

Little Eyes Baby Booties. Photos © Irisgc & © oranereuland

Little Eyes Baby Booties, originally called Little-Eyes, is a free newborn booties knitting pattern by Inma Gijón. These tiny knitted boots feature a beautiful cable detail across the top of the foot and require only a small amount of light fingering-weight yarn.

The pattern is designed for newborn babies and is worked flat rather than in the round. If you would like a slightly larger pair, the designer suggests changing from 2 mm needles to 2.5 mm needles.

Little Eyes Baby Booties Pattern Details

Designer: Inma Gijón
Original pattern name: Little-Eyes
Published: December 2016
Craft: Knitting
Category: Baby booties
Pattern availability: Free download
Size: Newborn
Yarn weight: Light Fingering / 3 ply
Suggested yarn: Lanas Stop Bambini
Yardage: Approximately 30–60 yards (27–55 m)
Needles: 2 mm (US 0)
Gauge: 8 stitches × 12 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch
Construction: Worked flat
Features: Decorative cable detail
Pattern format: Written instructions and chart
Languages: English and Spanish

Sweet Knitted Booties for a Newborn

Little Eyes is designed specifically as a pair of newborn baby booties. Their tiny size makes them a lovely project when you want to knit something special for a new baby without committing to a larger blanket, cardigan or sweater.

They can also make a charming handmade baby-shower gift, especially when paired with another small knitted accessory such as a hat.

Beautiful Cable Detail

The feature that gives Little Eyes its distinctive appearance is the decorative cable motif across the upper foot.

The raised stitches create an intricate-looking focal point while the rest of the bootie remains relatively simple, allowing the cable texture to stand out clearly.

A solid or lightly tonal yarn is particularly effective if you want the stitch definition to remain visible.

Worked Flat Instead of in the Round

Little Eyes Baby Booties are worked flat. This means you knit back and forth rather than working continuously around the foot on double-pointed needles.

This construction can be appealing if you enjoy baby booties but prefer flat knitting to working very small circumferences in the round.

The knitted piece is shaped and finished according to the designer's instructions to form the final bootie.

Light Fingering Yarn

The pattern is designed for Light Fingering / 3-ply yarn. The suggested yarn is Lanas Stop Bambini.

Bambini is a fine merino and acrylic blend, providing the lightweight fabric needed for these delicate newborn booties.

If the original yarn is unavailable, look for a suitable light fingering-weight substitute and use the designer's gauge as your main guide.

A Tiny Stash-Busting Project

One of the advantages of Little Eyes is the very small amount of yarn required.

The pattern listing gives approximately 30–60 yards (27–55 metres), making these booties a useful project for small amounts of fine yarn left over from another baby project.

You may already have enough yarn in your stash to make a pair without purchasing a full new skein.

Needles and Gauge

The newborn version uses 2 mm (US 0) knitting needles.

The specified gauge is: 8 stitches and 12 rows = 1 inch (2.5 cm) in stockinette stitch.

Gauge is especially important for tiny baby items because even a small difference in stitch size can noticeably change the finished dimensions.

How to Make the Booties a Little Bigger

The free pattern is written for newborns, but Inma Gijón provides a simple suggestion if you need a slightly larger pair: use 2.5 mm needles instead of 2 mm needles.

The larger needle size produces a somewhat larger bootie without requiring a completely different set of pattern instructions.

This should be treated as the designer's method for making the original bootie slightly larger rather than as a separate standardized baby size.

English and Spanish Pattern

Little Eyes is available in both English and Spanish, making the free pattern accessible to a wider range of knitters.

The download also includes both written and charted pattern information, so knitters who prefer following a chart can use that format for the decorative section.

Skills Used in Little Eyes Baby Booties

Useful knitting techniques for this project include:

Knitting and purling
Working flat
Stockinette stitch
Cable knitting
Reading a cable chart
Basic shaping
Decreases
Finishing small knitted pieces

Because the project is so small, it can be a fun way to practice cable knitting without committing to a large cable sweater, blanket or scarf.

Choosing Yarn for Newborn Booties

When choosing a substitute yarn for a newborn project, softness is an important consideration. The booties will be worn close to a baby's skin, so avoid yarn that feels rough or scratchy.

Easy-care yarn can also be useful for baby knits. Whatever fiber you choose, make sure it produces the required gauge and a comfortable fabric.

A Lovely Handmade Baby Gift

Small projects like Little Eyes are particularly useful when you need a handmade gift but don't have time to knit a complete baby garment.

The decorative cable gives the booties a special finished appearance, while their small yarn requirement makes them practical for using a favorite leftover yarn.

You could also coordinate the booties with a simple newborn hat or cardigan in a matching or complementary color to create a handmade baby gift set.

About the Little Eyes Pattern

Inma Gijón originally published Little-Eyes in December 2016. The pattern's instep section was subsequently updated by the designer in January 2017.

When downloading the pattern, use the current version supplied by the designer so you have the updated instructions.

Get the Free Little Eyes Baby Booties Pattern

The complete Little-Eyes by Inma Gijón is currently available as a free downloadable knitting pattern from the designer's Ravelry store.

Get the Free Little Eyes Baby Booties Pattern

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.

Cherry Pie Scarf – Free Keyhole Scarf Knitting Pattern

Cherry Pie Scarf. Photo © SiO2

Cherry Pie Scarf by Yucca is a free short scarf knitting pattern featuring beautiful star stitch and a practical keyhole opening. Simply pull one end of the scarf through the opening to keep it comfortably in place around your neck.

Worked with DK-weight yarn and 5.5 mm (US 9) needles, this compact scarf is a relatively quick project with plenty of texture. The original pattern also includes a photo tutorial to help explain the star-stitch technique.

Cherry Pie Scarf Pattern Details

Designer: Yucca
Craft: Knitting
Category: Scarf / keyhole scarf
Pattern availability: Free
Yarn weight: DK
Suggested yarn: Mrs Moon Plump DK
Yardage: Approximately 208 yards (190 m)
Needles: 5.5 mm (US 9)
Gauge: 29 stitches = 6 inches (15 cm) in the stitch pattern
Finished width: Approximately 6 inches (15 cm)
Finished length: Approximately 36 inches (91 cm)
Construction: Worked flat
Techniques: Star stitch, keyhole opening and I-cord details
Languages: English and Japanese

A Short Scarf That Stays in Place

One of the most useful features of the Cherry Pie Scarf is its keyhole construction. Instead of wrapping a long scarf several times around your neck, one end passes through the knitted opening to hold the scarf securely in place.

This gives the finished piece a neat, compact shape and makes it easy to wear under a coat or jacket without the bulk of a long traditional scarf.

Beautiful Star Stitch Texture

The star-stitch pattern is what gives Cherry Pie its distinctive textured appearance. The clustered stitches create small repeating shapes across the scarf while the surrounding details provide a clean finish.

If star stitch is new to you, the original free pattern is especially helpful because Yucca includes a photo tutorial showing how the stitch is formed.

Yarn and Needles

The original Cherry Pie Scarf uses approximately 190 m (208 yards) of DK-weight yarn. Yucca's sample was knitted with Mrs Moon Plump DK.

The recommended needle size is 5.5 mm (US 9), along with a tapestry needle for finishing.

If you substitute another DK yarn, checking your gauge is useful if you want to stay close to the original finished dimensions.

Finished Size

The original scarf measures approximately 15 cm (6 inches) wide and 91 cm (36 inches) long.

Its relatively short length works particularly well with the keyhole design: the scarf does not need long hanging ends to stay securely around the neck.

Why Knit the Cherry Pie Scarf?

Cherry Pie combines several appealing features in one relatively small project: an interesting textured stitch, a clever self-fastening opening and a wearable finished size.

It can also make a thoughtful handmade gift, especially when knitted in a soft DK yarn that shows the star-stitch texture clearly.

Get the Free Cherry Pie Scarf Pattern

The complete Cherry Pie Scarf by Yucca is available free from the designer's original pattern page. The English pattern includes the knitting instructions, chart and star-stitch photo tutorial.

Get the Free Cherry Pie Scarf Pattern by Yucca

Pattern availability was checked when this article was updated. Availability on external websites may change over time.

Divine Drape Cowl - Free Knitting Pattern

The photo above © Gretchen Tracy

What beautiful knitting cowl pattern! I found it on Pinterest...

Lightweight, beautifully draped cowl with lace in front and stretchy ribbed back to hold the cowl in place. Uses one skein (200 - 250 yards, 183 - 229 m) of sport weight of yarn. Rated easy by Ravelrers. Designed by Gretchen Tracy.

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Shortrow Cardigan - Free Knitting Pattern

What beautiful cardigan (free knitting pattern)! I found it on Pinterest...

a Jacket with short sleeves knitted from side to side in 2 threads ”Alpaca”. Size XS - XXL

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Once Upon A Cable Blanket - Knitting Pattern

What beautiful knitting baby blanket pattern! I found it on Ravelry...

The beautiful cable pattern used for this blanket creates a classic look and makes it ideal for boy or girl. This blanket would also make a gorgeous throw.

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Bonny Shell Knit Pattern

What beautiful sleeveless top knitting pattern! I found it on Pinterest...

This simple yet dramatic lace shell is perfect for elegant nights out, summer garden parties or Sunday afternoon strolls through the city.

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Meara Tunic - Knitting Pattern

What beautiful pullover knitting pattern! I found it on Pinterest...

This design is perfect for the knitter who wants variety in their project bag and wardrobe and who wants to feel playful and beautiful in their finished project.

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Fox & Bunny - Free knitting Pattern

These two characters are very similarly constructed but in the end, turn out quite different indeed!

You will need small amounts of worsted yarn in the colors you want to use, a set of 6mm black plastic eyes for each animal, a 14 or 15mm black plastic nose for your fox, black or pink embroidery floss for your bunny, polyester fiberfill, a yarn needle, and a set of US3/3.25mm double-pointed knitting needles.

You will need to be able to knit in the round and do simple increases and decreases.

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How To Knit The Needle Line - Tutorial

Step by step video knitting tutorial (Free knitting pattern)! I found it on Pinterest...

This is a free knitting pattern with step by step video tutorial on how to knit the needle line, beautiful technique that will definitely charm and amaze you. This easy to follow, beginner-friendly pattern comes with step by step photo and video instructions. I think you’re going to love the needle line stitches, because it looks very unusual and will give an unique look to any of your future projects.

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Knitting Book Today: Knitting Brioche

Brioche knitting creates a different texture and depth to your knitting. Nancy is the best teacher of it out there!

Download E-Book: Knitting Brioche

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