The birth of a child is something that many new mothers, or even fathers, choose to celebrate by learning to knit. One knitting project that is second in ease only to a blanket is baby booties, a project that will be cherished for years to come. There are a variety of project guides, both free and paid, that can guide new knitters on their quest for knit booties, but it can be daunting to choose the right knitting pattern. There are some basic, fundamental differences between how the knit booties are constructed, as well as the materials and supplies used to create them.
The most common way to knit booties is to knit them in several pieces, flat on straight needles, and use a tapestry or yarn needle to sew them together into the desired shape. This provides for the easiest construction, and allows someone who has just begun to learn knitting to create a quick gift for a child. The second most common construction method involves knitting the booties “in the round,” that is, without a seam and all in one piece, through the use of circular needles or a set of double pointed needles. The circular method of production provides several benefits that knitting the booties flat does not; it has no seams that may irritate a baby's sensitive skin, and because there is no seaming involved it is quicker and easier than other methods of construction.
While booties can be knit with a variety of yarn types, the types most often recommended are those that are simple, smooth and usually of a medium or light weight. Thick or bulky yarns are not often used in the construction of baby booties, but a worsted, or medium weight choice makes for a quick, thick knit and is commonly used in the making of knit booties. Lighter weight, or fingering weight, yarns may be used to create heirloom items that are more delicate or lacy. Fiber choice also plays an important part in selecting a yarn for knit booties. Most new parents prefer something that is machine washable, and with advances in technology, even wool yarns now come with the option of being machine washable.
Knitting booties can be a fun and rewarding experience, and for beginners who need further specialized instruction or help, a trip to a local specialty yarn store is recommended. Experienced knitters working at a local yarn store will be able to help with the selection of supplies and materials. In addition to providing basic instruction, they may also be able to help with any problems or questions that may come up while making knit booties.