Knit the cutest bumble bee baby booties with this free Bumble Bee Baby Booties Knitting Pattern and yes, they’re every bit as adorable as they sound. This easy baby booties knitting pattern is worked flat on straight needles in DK yarn, so if you can knit, purl, and increase, you’re already sorted. Sizes run from newborn to 18 months, making these knitted bee baby booties an ideal last-minute handmade baby shower gift or a satisfying weekend make. The striped body, embroidered eyes, and tiny knitted wings do all the heavy lifting, you just have to cast on.
The Buzzy Bees are knitted in a cotton acrylic blend which is lovely and cool for warmer days, but practical too. Babies are chaotic and anything that requires hand-washing immediately becomes a liability. The striped body section is worked separately to the head, and the two parts are then sewn together, with wings and details added at the end. Their little antennae bob about on wriggling toes and cause no small amount of delight at soft play.
Plain baby booties are so last season. 🐝
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Pattern Information
| Designed by | Jane Burns |
| Sizes | 0–6 (6–12: 12–18) months |
| Finished length | 9 (10: 12) cm / 3.5 (4: 4.75) in |
| Yarn | Scheepjes Stone Washed — (A) 833 Beryl; (B) 803 Black Onyx; (C) 814 Crystal Quartz. One 50g ball of each. |
| Needles | Straight 3.25mm |
| Also needed | Darning needle |
| Tension | 24 sts × 44 rows to 10cm (4in) over garter st using 3.25mm needles |
| Skill level | Easy — suitable for knitters comfortable with basic shaping, stocking stitch, garter stitch, and a little embroidery |
If you are looking for excellent video tutorials for knitting stitches and techniques, I highly recommend Very Pink Knits over on YouTube. I have included a link to her website here: https://verypink.com/
Abbreviations
The following abbreviations are used in this pattern. For a full reference guide, see my free Knitting Abbreviations Guide.
k — knit p — purl st(s) — stitch(es) sl1 — slip 1 stitch purlwise kfb — knit into front and back of stitch m1 — make 1 stitch ssk — slip, slip, knit k2tog — knit 2 together st st — stocking stitch WS — wrong side RS — right side rep — repeat beg — beginning
Pattern Notes For Bumble Bee Baby Booties Knitting Pattern
⚠️ Safety note
Extra care should be taken to securely sew all pieces in place to avoid a choking hazard. Please follow all make-up instructions carefully.
Sizes are written as small (medium: large) throughout, corresponding to 0–6 (6–12: 12–18) months. Where only one figure is given, it applies to all sizes.
The bootie is constructed in sections: the striped body (sole and sides), the bee head, and the wings. Each section is worked separately and sewn together at the end.
The Pattern
Bootie (make two)
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 18 (20: 22) sts.
Rows 1–6: Sl1, knit to end.
Change to Yarn B
Rows 7–8: Sl1, knit to end.
Repeat rows 1–8 until piece measures 5 (7: 8) cm from cast-on edge.
Cast off.
Head Size Small (0–6 months)
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 6 sts.
Row 1: (Kfb) 6 times. 12 sts
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, m1, (k2, m1) 5 times, k1. 18 sts
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, m1, (k3, m1) 5 times, k2. 24 sts
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: Knit.
Row 8: Purl.
Rows 9–12: Repeat rows 7 & 8 twice more.
Cast off.
Head Size Medium (6–12 months)
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn A, cast on 6 sts.
Row 1: (Kfb) 6 times. 12 sts
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: K1, m1, (k2, m1) 5 times, k1. 18 sts
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: K1, m1, (k3, m1) 5 times, k2. 24 sts
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2, m1, (k4, m1) 5 times, k2. 30 sts
Row 8: Purl.
Rows 9–14: Beginning with a knit row, work in st st as set.
Cast off.
Head Size Large (12–18 months)
Work as Medium size rows 1–8.
Rows 9–18: Beginning with a knit row, work in st st as set. Cast off.
Wings (make four pieces)
Using 3.25mm needles and Yarn C, cast on 5 sts.
Row 1 (WS): Purl.
Row 2: Sl1, k1, m1, k1, m1, k2. 7 sts
Row 3: Purl.
Row 4: Sl1, k1, m1, k3, m1, k2. 9 sts
Row 5: Purl.
Row 6: Sl1, ssk, k3, k2tog, k1. 7 sts
Row 7: Purl.
Row 8: Sl1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1. 5 sts
Row 9: Purl.
Rows 10–17: Repeat rows 2–9 once more.
Cast off.
Making Up:
Head
Work a running stitch around the cast-on stitches and pull tight to form the nose. Sew the side seam and place this at the sole of the foot.
Bootie
Fold the sole in half widthways to find the centre point, and line this up with the seam of the Head. Pin the sole of the bootie inside the head, leaving approximately 2 (2.5: 3) cm gap at the centre top for the foot to enter. Once you’re happy with the placement, sew into place.
Eyes and Antennae
Using Yarn B and the image as a guide, embroider on the eyes and antennae as follows: embroider on the eye, then using the same strand of yarn, darn in the yarn on the inside working up towards the antennae. Sew the yarn through the head to the front for the antennae and work a small stitch to secure. Tie a knot approximately 1cm from the head piece, work a few stitches into this knot, and cut yarn close to the knot.
⚠️ Safety reminder: Ensure all embroidered and sewn elements are secured very firmly to eliminate any choking hazard.
Wings
Darn in all ends. Work a wrap stitch around the narrow section at the centre of the wings and pull tight to gather. Fold in half bringing the wrong sides together and, using the image as a guide, sew the wings on securely.
Looking to purchase Scheepjes, Stone Washed Yarn? Why not check out Wool Warehouse, I have added a link. This is an affiliate link, my blog does earn a small amount of income from this at no additional cost to yourself.
The Wool Warehouse also produce a near identical yarn to Scheepjes, Stone Washed called, Yarnsmiths, Pebble Haze DK, you can find that here: https://tidd.ly/4hXZYoT
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