Blossom Knitwear Designs- Blossom Booties

by Dilys Sutherland (c) 2009

**Special Abbreviation: ssk - this is an alternative to the old psso decrease. To ssk, you slip the next two stitches knitwise, then insert the tip of the left hand needle into the front of these two stitches, then knit them together. If you prefer, you could always use the psso decrease instead. (Slip 1, knit one, pass slipped stitch over), but I find the ssk is quicker and neater. 

Materials:
Knitting needles in sizes 3.25 mm. Sport weight or DK weight yarn in main colour (MC) and small amounts of yarn for flowers and leaves.

Bootie:
With 3.25 mm needles, cast on 32 stitches and work 24 rows in k1, p1 ribbing, increasing 5 stitches evenly over the last row. (37 stitches)

Divide for foot as follows:
Next row: k8, (k2tog) twice, k13. Turn, p13.
Continue in stockinette stitch on these 13 st for another 24 rows. Break yarn.

With right side facing, rejoin yarn to inside edge where 10 st were left, and pick up and knit 15 st along side of foot, k2tog, k9, k2tog, pick up and knit 15 st along other side of foot, (k2tog) twice, k8.

With wrong side facing, and starting with a purl row, work in stockinette stitch for 7 rows. Then...

Shape foot:
1st row: k2, k2tog, k22, k2tog, k5, ssk, k22, ssk, k2
2nd row: purl
3rd row: k2, k2tog, k20, k2tog, k5, ssk, k20, ssk, k2
4th row:purl
5th row: k2, k2tog, k18, k2tog, k5, ssk, k18, ssk, k2
6th row: purl

Cast off

Flowers (make two): Cast on 35 sts. 1st row: *K1, cast off 5 sts (1 st remains on RH needle), rep from * to end (10 sts). Run yarn through rem sts, draw up and fasten off.

Leaves: Cast on 3 sts. I-cord for 5 rows, inc 2 st (5 sts).
Row 1: (RS) K2, yo, k1, yo, k2 - 7 sts
Row 2, 4 and 6: Purl
Row 3: Ssk, k3, k2tog - 5 sts
Row 5: Ssk, k1, k2tog - 3 sts
Row 7: Sl 1, k2tog, psso - 1 st. Fasten off.

Finishing:
Sew leaves and flowers to bootie foot,as shown in picture. Sew bottom and back seam.