It's the Little Things in Life

It never ceases to amaze me how much joy I can get out of a little fleece, a drop spindle and a pair of knitting needles.  Fellow Army wife and knitting blogger, Erica, could be in the hospital as I type having her baby boy.  Happy Labor Day, Erica!  Hopefully her hubster made it back from Iraq in time for the blessed event.  I met her a couple of weeks ago and I wanted to make something special for her (it's always nice knitting for another knitter).  I had some scrumpdilicous Shetland fleece in my stash from Judy Colvin's ranch in Montana.  I spun it up and knit a little pair of oh-so-soft booties.  Not a moment too soon because the wind is howling outside right now.   They'll go in the mail today.

My sock-knitting friend, Lynn, made a pair of these with her handspun when I was pregnant for Joseph six years ago.  Her's were a gorgeous shade of hand-dyed deep maroon with jewel-tone fair isle knit into the leg.  I remember how touched I was that she did that for me.  I've been making them ever since.  I must have left them in storage in the States because I searched and can't find them.  Lynn is known to many as "The Sock Lady".  You can check out some of her beautiful work here.  I won't forget you, Lynn, when I get to the Opal Factory!

Those booties and a baby quilt and sweater (also in storage) knit by my friend, Jessica (I met Jessica on the knitlist about seven or eight years ago), are my most prized items of Joe's baby gifts.  I thought of how kind Lynn was every time I put those booties on him when he was a baby and I think of Jessica every night when I tuck Joe in with his quilt that he still drags around as his comfort when he's sick or wants to snuggle.  One day his children will be kept warm with them all and that just give me the warm fuzzies.

You'll find many renditions of this pattern as it's been out there for eons.  With Lynn's permission, here is my version of her version of the bootie pattern (when you knit something this many times, the pattern is bound to change here and there).  As EZ would say, these are "pithy" directions.  If you are a beginner knitter or something doesn't make sense, just holler:

You can use any yarn from fingering to worsted.  Worsted makes a pretty big bootie.  The handspun I used for Erica's is about fingering weight and they should fit the baby till he's about four months (I hope).  I usually use DK weight.

Cast on ten sts.  Garter for 18 ridges.  Knit up 18 sts down next side, 10 across cast-on edge, 18 up other side.  Knit in the round now.   **Four rounds purl, four rounds knit (x2) and then knit four more rounds.  Now you're ready to do the top of the foot.  In the booties Lynn did for Joe she did a 4x4 garter sts up the foot.  I like that better, but I forgot about it and just did st st on these.  You can do about anything you want to here.  A small lace pattern would be cute.  You'll be knitting back and forth across the ten end sts.  As you come to the last st of each row, knit it tog with one st from the 18 st side until you have 10 sts on each needle.  Knitting in the round again, knit 3-5 rounds and then do an eyelet round for the ties (k2, yo, k2tog).  Now you are at the leg and can do whatever you want.  Add some lace or fair isle here.  I just did a plain 2x2 ribbing.  Garter st would be cute here too.  For the ties you can do I-cord (I tried but it was too big for these booties), twisted cord (which is what I used for these) or crochet a chain.  Have fun.  They make great gifts.

Last week I posted a photo to show the snow here in Germany.  The back of our truck is in the picture and a few people emailed to ask what the "5 with the F in it" was on the back of our SUV.  That's the brand for the ranch in Texas.  When Dan's grandfather was alive it was the Rocking F Ranch (that's the old gate and brand in the photo).  After he passed away it was split between his eight children and Dan's dad named his ranch Cinco Flores in honor of his five children.   How cool is that man?  Have I mentioned that I lucked out and got the best in-law family there is?  No wonder my husband turned out the way he did.  He's one of those guys that everyone likes... just like his dad.  He's kind, fair and almost always in a good mood.  No easy task with the job he has.  Don't tell him I said that, he'll get a big head.  ;-)

Comments

[Penny]

Oh.. Thanks for the Booties Pattern.. Those are just what I have been loking for :)

[Bri (from elann)]

Those booties are de-lish. Thanks for posting the pattern. All my friends are having kids left and right! Bri

[caroline]

Hi, Jean, What lovely booties! Lucky baby! I was wondering if you'd be willing to give me some guidance on finding some german yarn. My Secret Pal 3 is trying so hard to find some GGH Lara (a furry yarn) in color red, 9 balls, to make In the Mood from a Knitty pattern. She's not having any luck in the states and I'm trying to find a German yarn store that a) has it and b) sells over the internet. I can read a bit of german so I'll probably be able to figure it out if I can find a store that sells it and has a website. Are there any in your vicinity that might be a source? I've googled but the german sites I've found so far either don't have the color or don't take web orders. all the best, caroline

[kim]

What cute booties you made for my Secret Pal!! I have a little hat on the needles for him that I am hoping to finish up today :-)). Lovely work!!

[Heather (from elann)]

The booties are great Jean! And it was so kind of Lynne for letting you post the pattern. How great is that?

[Kathleen]

Gorgeous booties--handspun and handknit. What a wonderful gift. :)

[yvette]

Cute, cute booties, what a lovely gift. Lynnes socks are great, can't wait to see the pair she is knitting for you.

[Jean]

Just posting the truth, Lynn. I just wish I had the booties with me so I could show everyone. For sure I'll be posting a photo of the socks you are so kindly knitting for me!

[Lynne]

Thanks Jean for all the nice stuff you said about my knitting. And guys wait until you see the socks out of handspun I am going to do for Jean. I promise works of art.

[Lauren]

Great booties, and it's amazing that you spun and knit them. They are that much more special. (Can you tell I don't spin and am mystified by the whole process?!)

[Emma]

Gorgeous booties !

[Eva Shiu]

Hi Jean, The baby booties are gorgerous. And, your friend, Lynn, she is knitting the most beautiful socks in the world !! I love her sock, her spinning yarns and other knitting. Please convince her to start a knitting blog. She is a amazing sock knitters ! I love her handspun yarns. Do you think she has interest to sell a bit to other knitters ?