Buzzy Bee Bootees

Knitted Animal Hats

Posted by Ryland Peters & Small

About

These soft black and yellow striped bee bootees with their mohair wings are the ideal footwear to keep tiny toes warm on cooler days. With their ribbed tops, you can be sure that the bootees will stay on small feet.

Sizes
0–6 months (6–12 months)

Actual measurements
Approx 33/4 in/9.5 cm (41/4 in/11 cm) length of sole

Gauge (tension)
26 sts and 40 rows to 4 in (10 cm) square over stockinette (stocking) stitch using US 3
(3.25 mm) needles.

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You Will Need (6 things)

  • Sizes US 3 (3.25 mm) and US 5 (3.75 mm) Knitting Needles
  • Small amount of Debbie Bliss Angel Yarn in shade 1 White (C)
  • 1 x 31/2 oz (100 g) ball—approx 262 yds (240 m)—of Katia Merino Blend in shade 19 Gold (B)
  • 1 x 13/4 oz (50 g) ball—approx 127 yds (116 m)—of Sublime Extra Fine Merino in shade 13 Jet Black (A)
  • Yarn Needle
  • 2 large Safety Pins or stitch holders

Steps (3 steps, 240 minutes)

  1. 1

    Bootee
    (make 2)
    Using US 3 (3.25 mm) needles and A, cast on 34(38) sts.
    Row 1: [K2, p2] to last 2 sts, k2.
    Row 2: [P2, k2] to last 2 sts, p2.
    Rep last 2 rows 11(13) times more.
    Break yarn.
    Put first 10(11) sts on the first pin or stitch holder. Join B, k14(16). Put remaining 10(11) sts on the second pin or stitch holder.
    Cont on 14(16) sts on needle only.
    Next row: Using B, p.
    Using A, work 2 rows in st st beg with a k row.
    Rep last 4 rows 2(3) times more, keeping to the 2 rows B,
    2 rows A pattern.
    Using B, work 2 rows in st st beg with a k row.
    Break B and knit rem bootee in A only.
    Next row: K1, k2tog, k8(10), ssk, k1. (12/14 sts)
    Next row: K.
    Next row: K1, k2tog, k6(8), ssk, k1. (10/12 sts)
    Large size only:
    Next row: P2tog, p8, p2tog. (10 sts)
    Next row: K.
    Both sizes:
    Next row: P.
    Next row: K1, k2tog, k4, ssk, k1. (8 sts)
    Next row: P2tog, p4, p2tog. (6 sts)
    Break yarn and leave these 6 sts (which will form the toe end) on the needle.
    Starting at heel edge of cuff and with RS facing, k10(11) sts from first stitch holder (you may find it easier to transfer them to a spare needle first), pick up 11(13)
    sts evenly up side of foot part of bootee, k6 sts from needle, pick up 11(13) sts evenly down second side, then k10(11) sts from second stitch holder. (48/54 sts)
    K 7 rows.
    Shape sole:
    Next row: K.
    Next row: P.
    Large size only:
    Next row: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, ssk. (52 sts)
    Next row: P2tog, p22, [p2tog] twice, p22, p2tog. (48 sts)
    Both sizes:
    Next row: K2tog, k20, ssk, k2tog, k20, ssk. (44 sts)
    Next row: P2tog, p18, [p2tog] twice, p18, p2tog. (40 sts)
    Next row: K2tog, k16, ssk, k2tog, k16, ssk. (36 sts) Next row: P2tog, p14, [p2tog] twice, p14, p2tog. (32 sts)
    Bind (cast) off.

  2. 2

    Wings
    (make 2)
    Using US 5 (3.75 mm) needles and C, cast on 4 sts.
    Row 1: [Inc1, k1] twice. (6 sts)
    Row 2: P.
    Row 3: Inc1, k3, inc1, k1. (8 sts)
    Work 11 rows in st st beg with a k row.
    Row 15: K2tog, k4, ssk. (6 sts)
    Row 16: P.
    Row 17: K2tog, k2, ssk. (4 sts)
    Bind (cast) off kwise on WS.

  3. 3

    Making up and finishing
    Using A, join back and heel seams using the flat-seam technique (see page 104).

    With RS of bootee together, oversew sole seam. Thread yarn tails on wing pieces down sides to center. Use yarn tails to secure wings to top of bootees.