We love Fiona Goble’s adorable knitted animal items and it really doesn’t get much cuter than these koala bootees from her latest book, Knitted Animal Nursery.
Koala Booties Knitting Pattern
A super-fluffy gray yarn is the secret ingredient behind these adorable bootees, which will keep little feet supertoasty while looking super-cool. As soon as I saw and touched the yarn, I just knew I had to make something koala for this collection—and I hope you agree that these fit the bill perfectly.
Skill level **
Yarn and materials
Rico Essentials Soft Merino Aran
(100% wool)
1 x 1¾ oz (50g) ball (109yd/100m) in shade 027 Azure (A)
Drops Air (70% alpaca, 23% nylon, 7% wool) worsted (Aran) yarn
1 x 1¾ oz (50g) ball (142yd/130m) in shade 04 Medium Grey (B)
A small amount of black light worsted (DK) yarn
A very small amount of 100% polyester toy filling
Needles and equipment
US 8 (5mm) knitting needles
US 6 (4mm) knitting needles
Yarn sewing needle
Large-eyed embroidery needle
Gauge (tension)
17 sts and 22 rows in stockinette (stocking) stitch to a 4-in (10-cm) square on US 8 (5mm) needles.
Measurements
The bootees will fit an average 3–6 month (6–9 month) old baby.
The sole of the bootee is 3½ (3¾)in
(9(9.5)cm) long.
To make bootees
Main part
Make 2
Using US 8 (5mm) needles, cast on 26(28) sts in A.
Size 3–6 months only
Row 1: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 2: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
Rep rows 1–2, 7 times more.
Size 6–9 months only
Row 1: [K2, p2] to end.
Row 2: [K2, p2] to end.
Rep rows 1–2, 7 times more.
Both sizes
Row 17: Purl.
Break A and join in B.
Beg with a k row, work 6 rows in st st.
Next row: K17(18), turn.
Next row: P8, turn.
Cont working on 8 sts just worked only, leaving rem sts on needle.
Beg with a k row, work 12(14) rows in st st.
Break yarn, rejoin it at base of top of bootee (the base of the rectangle just knitted) on RS of work.
Pick up and k 8(9) sts up side of bootee top, k8 sts from LH needle, pick up and k 8(9) sts down side of bootee top then k rem 9 (10) sts. (42(46) sts)
Knit 5 rows.
Shape sole
Row 1: [K2, k2tog, ssk, k9(11), k2tog, ssk, k2] twice.
(34(38) sts)
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: [K1, k2tog, ssk, k7(9), k2tog, ssk, k1] twice.
(26(30) sts)
Row 4: Knit.
Row 5: [K2tog, ssk, k5(7), k2tog, ssk] twice.
(18(22) sts)
Bind (cast) off.
Ear
Make 4 (2 for each bootee)
Using US 6 (4mm) needles, cast on 10 sts in B.
Beg with a p row, work 3 rows in st st.
Row 4: [K2tog] to end. (5 sts)
Break yarn and thread it through rem sts.
To make up
Sew back and sole seam using flat stitch.
Fold the ear pieces in half with the right side on the inside and oversew the side seam, leaving the lower edge open. Turn the ears the right way out. Stuff very lightly and stitch in place on the bootee, using the photograph as a guide.
Using the black yarn, work a tiny coil of chain stitches for the eyes and a bigger coil for the nose.
Weave in all loose ends.
Find more super-cute knitting patterns for babies and toddlers in the book, Knitted Animal Nursery by Fiona Goble.