Jamie - prem booties and mittens

Jamie Prem Booties and Mittens Set by Jennifer Lee

What is Being Made

The Jamie pattern is a coordinated set of booties and mittens designed for premature and newborn babies. The set includes four size options: Prem 1, Prem 2, Prem 3, and Newborn, accommodating foot lengths from 4cm to 7cm and wrist circumferences from 10cm to 12cm. This makes the pattern versatile for different stages of early infancy, from the smallest premature babies through standard newborn sizes.

Techniques and Construction

The Jamie set is constructed using fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginners. The primary construction method is stocking stitch, which creates a smooth, classic fabric ideal for baby garments. The pattern incorporates garter stitch edging around the openings of both the booties and mittens, providing a neat finish and helping to prevent rolling edges—a practical detail for items that will receive frequent wear and washing.

The design features two-row stripes throughout both pieces, adding visual interest while remaining simple to execute. Knitters have the option to create knitted i-cord ties using double-pointed needles, or alternatively use ribbon ties for fastening. This flexibility allows makers to choose between a fully hand-knitted approach or a quicker finish using purchased ribbon.

Stitches Used

• Stocking stitch – the main fabric throughout both booties and mittens
• Garter stitch – used for edging around openings
• I-cord – optional knitted ties (worked on double-pointed needles)

Materials and Specifications

The pattern calls for DK weight yarn (8ply), specifically Lincraft DK at 266 meters per 100g ball. Knitters will need 1 ball each of two colors across all four sizes, making this an economical project. The pattern suggests red and white for the striped design, though the instructions note the set can be customized in any color combination, including sports team colors for personalization.

Knitting needles required: A pair of 4.00mm needles (UK size 8, US size 6) for the main construction, with optional 4.00mm double-pointed needles for creating i-cord ties. A wool needle is needed for seaming the pieces together.

Additional materials: If choosing ribbon ties instead of i-cord, knitters will need 174cm to 192cm of narrow ribbon depending on the size being made (approximately 70 to 76 inches). The pattern specifies a tension of 22 stitches and 30 rows over 10cm in stocking stitch, which is standard for DK weight yarn on this needle size.

Difficulty Level

Rated as Easy, this pattern is ideal for beginner knitters. The straightforward combination of stocking stitch and garter stitch, along with the small scale of the pieces, makes Jamie an accessible first project for those learning to knit. The optional i-cord adds a slightly more advanced technique for those ready to develop their skills, while the ribbon tie alternative keeps the project simple for absolute beginners.