Sasha - 8ply baby sandals

Sasha Baby Sandals by Jennifer Lee

What Is Being Made

Sasha is a pair of knitted baby sandals designed by Jennifer Lee, available in four sizes to fit infants from newborn through 9 months old. These sandals feature a simple, practical construction with garter stitch throughout and are secured with two i-cord foot straps and a buttoned ankle strap for easy fastening and removal.

Craft and Technique Overview

This is a knitting project rated as beginner level, making it an excellent introduction to constructing wearable items. The sandals employ straightforward knitting techniques that build foundational skills while producing a functional baby garment. The use of i-cord straps introduces basic cord-making techniques, and the buttoned ankle closure teaches practical finishing methods suitable for infant wear.

Stitches and Construction Methods

The primary stitch used throughout Sasha is garter stitch, created by knitting every row. This fundamental stitch provides a textured, reversible fabric with excellent stretch and recovery—ideal properties for baby garments that must accommodate movement and frequent washing.

The pattern incorporates the following specialized techniques:

• I-cord foot straps: Two i-cord straps are knitted using double-pointed needles and sewn to the sandal base, creating the straps that secure the foot.
• Make 1 (M1) increases: Used to shape the sandal foot by picking up the loop lying before the next stitch, placing it on the left-hand needle, and knitting into the back of the loop.
• Buttoned ankle strap: An ankle strap is constructed and finished with two small buttons, allowing caregivers to easily fasten and unfasten the sandals.
• Seaming: A wool needle is used to sew the i-cord straps and other components together, requiring basic finishing skills.

Materials and Specifications

Sasha requires minimal materials, making it an economical project:

• Yarn: One 100g ball of Lincraft DK 8ply yarn (approximately 250 meters), which is a lightweight, smooth yarn weight ideal for baby garments. The 8ply weight provides drape and breathability suitable for infant footwear.
• Needles: One pair of 3.75mm [UK size 9, US size 5] straight knitting needles for the main sandal construction, plus two 3.75mm double-pointed needles for knitting the i-cord straps.
• Notions: Two small buttons for the ankle strap closure and a wool needle for sewing seams.

Sizing and Fit

The pattern includes four sizes accommodating foot lengths from 7 cm (2¾ inches) for newborns through 10 cm (4 inches) for 9-month-old babies. The cast-on stitch count ranges from 31 stitches for the smallest size to 47 stitches for the largest, allowing the pattern to scale appropriately across the size range.

Gauge and Technical Details

The pattern specifies a tension of 22.5 stitches and 44 rows to 10 cm (4 inches) over garter stitch using 3.75mm needles. Achieving correct gauge is essential for proper fit, particularly with baby garments where sizing is critical. The pattern acknowledges that yarn quantities may vary between individual knitters and different yarn types, providing flexibility for substitutions.

This beginner-friendly design combines essential knitting techniques with practical construction methods, making Sasha an ideal project for developing knitting skills while creating a useful, wearable item for infants.