An entomologist would have a field day in my lungs this afternoon... I
must have inhaled 200 tiny insects in my walk through the woods this
morning! I thought I should so some form of exercise this weekend, both
myself and Buca needed some after yesterday's VERY LAZY day (I spent
the entire day 'chilling out', knitting, and dyeing yarn which turned
out quite ugly!)...

I've just popped some chicken wings into the oven, so I have a few
minutes to write about these Mollie Wally Shoes! I know, technically,
they are NOT booties, but I wanted to do something different... from
now on, booties include all baby footwear!

The colours and 'dot' were inspired by one of my sister's dresses.. Hence the name Mollie Wally! I made this pair using soft red mohair, and some grey crochet cotton. It took me quite a while to finish these (2 days), even though the pattern is super simple; I just hate sewing up seams and such. It also took me an entire day to decipher my squiggles and write the pattern down... I will have to get myself more organised if I want to finish this challenge!

Molly Wally Shoes Pattern

SIZE

To fit baby of 6-9 months

MATERIALS

1 colour fingering weight mohair yarn
1 lace weight crochet cotton
1 pair of 3mm needles
1.75mm crochet hook

BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Gauge/Tension
30sts and 30 rows = 10cm square over garter stitch using 3mm needles
Abbreviations
k = knit
k2tog = knit the next 2 stitches together
m1 = make stitch by picking up yarn before next stitch and knitting into the back of made loop
ch = chain
dc = double crochet
sc = single crochet
sl st = slip stitch

Both booties are worked exactly the same; simply sew seams opposite sides to make symmetrical.

Booties Knitting Pattern

Sole
Cast on 24 stitches
1st row: knit across
2nd row: k1, m1, k22, m1, k1 (26 stitches)
3rd row: knit across
4th row: k1, m1, k24, m1, k1 (28 stitches)
5th row: knit across
6th row: k1, m1, k26, m1, k1 (30 stitches)
7th row: knit across
8th row: k1, m1, k28, m1, k1 (32 stitches)
9th -13th row: knit across
14th row: k2 tog, k28, k2tog (30 stitches)
15th row: knit across
16th row: k2 tog, k26, k2tog (28 stitches)
17th row: knit across
18th row: k2tog, k24, k2tog (26 stitches)
19th row: knit across
20th row: k2tog, k22, k2tog (24 stitches), TURN

Top Section of Shoe
1st row: Knit to end of row, cast on 8 stitches
2nd row: knit across (same with rows 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12)
3rd row: k1, m1, knit across (same with rows 5, 7, 9, 11 and 13)
At this point you will have 38 stitches on the needles
14th row: cast off 19 stitches, k19
15th-26th row: knit across all rows
27th row: knit across, then cast on 19 stitches (38 stitches)
28th row: k2tog, knit to end (same with rows 30, 32, 34, 36, and 38)
29th row: knit across (same with rows 31, 33, 35, 37, 39)
40th row: cast off.

Second Shoe
Make second boot to match

Crochet Dot
Make two; this piece is worked in the round. Make 4ch, sl st into 1st ch to form a ring.
1st round: 2ch (counts as 1dc), work 11 dc into ring, sl st into 2ndch (12dc)
2nd round: 2ch (counts as 1dc), dc in the same st as last sl st, 2dc in each st around, al at in 2nd of starting ch (24dc)
3rd round: 2ch (counts as 1dc), 2dc in next st, *1dc in next st, 2dc in next st*. Repeat from * till end, sl st in 2nd of starting ch. (36dc)
Bind off.

FINISHING

Join heel seam, fit upper to sole, making sure seam is even around the toe area, and mattress stich into position. Weave in any loose ends. Sew crochet dot onto the top of the shoe, slightly off-centre, and reverse sides on the other shoe (see below!)
For the crochet trim, attach cotton to the back part of the shoe:
1st row: 50sc evenly around the opening, sl st into first sc.
2nd row: ch1, 1sc in each st around, through back loops only, sl st into first sc (50sc)
Bind off. Weave in loose ends.

Please contact me if there are any problems with the pattern... I haven't had the pattern 'tested' by someone other than myself! I'm going to have some food now... yummmmm...