Var Booties - Knitting Pattern For Babies in MillaMia Naturally Baby Soft by MillaMia

Var Booties – Baby Knitting Pattern by MillaMia in Naturally Baby Soft

The Var Booties are a charming pair of knitted baby booties designed by MillaMia, sized to fit babies aged 3–6 months. Described as small and sweet, these booties are presented as the perfect handmade gift for new parents and serve as an excellent introduction to garment shaping for those new to knitting. The pattern is available as a downloadable PDF and is rated beginner level, making it an accessible and rewarding project to complete quickly.

What Is Being Made

The pattern produces a pair of classic baby booties, each constructed in two separate pieces — an upper section and a sole — which are then seamed together to create a three-dimensional shoe shape. The upper section features a neat ribbed cuff at the ankle, a flat foot section, and a shaped instep to give the bootie its fitted, realistic form. The sole is shaped at both ends to mirror the contours of a baby's foot.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat – all pieces are knitted back and forth in rows on straight needles, rather than in the round.
• Seamed construction – the upper and sole pieces are sewn together after knitting, making this a great introduction to finishing techniques.
• Instep shaping – stitches are placed on a holder while a central instep panel is worked separately, then stitches are picked up along the sides of the instep to rejoin the full width of the upper. This technique gives the bootie its structured, three-dimensional shape.
• Sole shaping – stitches are cast on incrementally at the beginning of rows to create the rounded toe of the sole, and decreases are used to taper the heel end.
• Ribbing – a 2×2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) is worked at the cuff to provide stretch and a snug fit around the ankle.
• Picking up stitches – stitches are picked up along the sides of the instep panel to seamlessly integrate it with the rest of the upper.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch (g-st) – the primary stitch used throughout the body of the bootie. Garter stitch is formed by knitting every row, producing a squishy, reversible fabric with horizontal ridges. It is ideal for baby items as it lies flat and has a soft texture.
• 2×2 Rib – worked over the cuff by alternating two knit stitches and two purl stitches across the row, creating an elastic band effect.
• k2tog (knit two together) – a right-leaning decrease used in instep and sole shaping.
• skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) – a left-leaning decrease used alongside k2tog to create symmetrical shaping at the instep and sole.

Materials

• Yarn: MillaMia Naturally Baby Soft – a sport weight yarn, sold in 50g/1¾oz balls. The pattern requires just one ball, making it an economical project. The sample colourway shown is Apple Sorbet (621), with five colourway options referenced in the pattern including Vintage Violet (613), Softest Silver (623), Ocean Green (622), and Starry Sky (632). MillaMia Naturally Baby Soft is a yarn specifically developed for baby garments, prized for its softness and gentle feel against delicate skin.
• Needles: 2.75mm (US size 2) straight knitting needles.
• Tension: 28 stitches and 50 rows to a 10cm/4in square over garter stitch using 2.75mm needles. Achieving correct tension is important to ensure the booties fit a 3–6 month old baby.
• Notions: A stitch holder is required to hold stitches during instep shaping.