Julia - 8ply buttoned baby shoes

Julia - 8ply Buttoned Baby Shoes by Jennifer Lee

What is Being Made

Julia is a pair of Mary Jane style baby shoes designed by Jennifer Lee. These charming knitted shoes feature a classic Mary Jane silhouette with a buttoned foot strap across the instep. The design is suitable for newborns through nine-month-old babies, with four size options ranging from 7cm to 10cm foot length. The shoes combine functionality with a sweet, vintage-inspired aesthetic perfect for gift-giving or personal use.

Knitting Techniques and Construction

The Julia baby shoes are constructed using fundamental knitting techniques, making them an excellent beginner-level project. The pattern employs strategic increases using the M1 (make 1) method to shape the shoe structure. The shoes are worked flat on straight needles and then seamed together using a wool needle. The buttoned foot strap adds both decorative and functional detail, securing the shoe around the baby's foot with small buttons.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch throughout the Julia pattern is garter stitch, which is created by knitting every row. Garter stitch produces a dense, textured fabric with horizontal ridges that provides excellent durability and elasticity—ideal qualities for baby footwear. This stitch choice also contributes to the beginner-friendly nature of the pattern, as it requires only basic knitting knowledge. Shaping is achieved through M1 increases (make 1 by picking up the loop before the next stitch, placing it on the left-hand needle, and knitting into the back of the loop) and psso (pass slipped stitch over) decreases.

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Julia pattern calls for Lincraft Superwash 8ply yarn in 100g balls with approximately 190 meters per ball. Only one ball of yarn is required across all four size options (0-3, 3-6, 6-9, and 9-month sizes), making this an economical project. The 8ply weight (also known as DK or double knitting weight) provides an appropriate thickness for baby garments—soft enough for delicate skin while offering sufficient structure for shoe construction. Superwash treatment ensures the finished shoes are machine-washable, a practical consideration for baby items subject to frequent laundering.

Needles and Additional Supplies

The pattern requires 3.75mm (UK size 9, US size 5) knitting needles for the main construction. A wool needle is needed for sewing the shoe pieces together after knitting. Two small buttons are essential for completing the Mary Jane foot strap detail. The pattern specifies a tension of 22.5 stitches and 44 rows to 10cm over garter stitch using the recommended 3.75mm needles, ensuring proper fit across all size ranges.

Difficulty Level and Suitability

Rated as easy, the Julia pattern is suitable for knitters new to the craft or those seeking a quick, satisfying project. The straightforward garter stitch construction combined with basic shaping techniques makes this an ideal introduction to small garment knitting. The quick completion time—achievable with just one ball of yarn—provides immediate gratification for beginners while building foundational skills in increasing, decreasing, and seaming.