By Kirsten Hawkins

There's very little in this world that's more rewarding than dressing your baby in a special sweater, bunting - or even booties - that you've crocheted yourself. Crochet is one of the easiest of the clothing crafts to learn. Even if you've never looped yarn around a hook before, you can crochet these simple booties for your baby in an evening - and the matching sweater in a weekend.

The basic stitches for the baby booties are: chain stitch (cs), single crochet (sc), dec (pull up loop in next two stitches, yarn over, pull through both loops on hook)

Using worsted weight yarn and crochet hook size H, chain 5. Turn. SC in next three chains, 5 sc in end chain, one SC in bottom loop of each of next three starting chain stitches. 5 sc in end chain to turn corner.

Round 2: Five SC, two sc in next stitch, sc, two sc in next stitch, sc, two sc in next stitch, 5 sc, two sc in next stitch, sc, 2 sc in next stitch, sc, 2 sc in next stitch.

Round 3: 8 sc, 2 sc in next, 5 sc, 2 sc in next, 8 sc, 2 sc in next, 5 sc, 2 sc in next.

Work two rounds of crochet even (no increases). Sole will begin to curve upward. At end of second round, turn.

SC in next 5 SC, dec, 3 SC, dec, 5 SC, turn.

SC in next 3 sc, dec, 1 sc, dec, 3 sc, turn.

SC in next sc, dec, dec, sc in next sc, turn.

SC in each sc, then continue in rounds again, dec one stitch at each side of bootie top for two rounds.

Work even for three rounds, fasten off.

Repeat for second bootie.

If desired, embellish top of baby bootie with embroidered flower or other design.

The single crochet booties are so simple that you can make them in several colors - all in an evening.

The sweater is just as easy, and it's sized to fit a newborn to 6 months baby. Using the same yarn and hook, chain 45. Turn.

SC in next five sc. In next, inc by working 2 sc, ch 2, 2 sc in one stitch. SC in next 8 stitches, work inc, sc in next 16 stitches, inc, sc in next 8 stitches, inc, sc in to end.

Work in the pattern as established, even on all sc, inc in each chain 2 loop, till 10 rows are complete.

Shaping row: Crochet to first ch 2 loop, crochet in ch 2 loop, skip all stitches till next ch 2 loop, crochet in that loop. SC in each stitch to next ch 2 loop, skip all stitches till last ch 2 loop, sc in loop and one SC in each sc to end. Turn.

Work even till sweater measures 6 inches from underarm. Fasten off.

Pick up and crochet in each SC around right underarm. Work in rounds till sleeve is same length from underarm as body. Repeat with left sleeve. Fasten off.

Starting at lower right hand corner, pick up nd crochet one sc in each stitch up front opening, around collar and back down other side of front. Run ribbon through openings in collar for a neck tie.

That's all there is to it - a warm, cozy crochet sweater and booties you created yourself just for baby.

About the author:
Kirsten Hawkins is a baby and parenting expert specializing new mothers and single parent issues. Visit http://www.babyhelp411.com/for more information on how to raising healthy, happy children.


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