After trying many different ways to make these adorable shoes for infants, I adapted a pattern from my heroes, Melanie Falick and Kristin Nicholas. I recommend any of their books. They are filled from page to page with beautiful ideas and sensible patterns. This project can be finished in a few hours and makes a special and long lasting gift!

You will need:

 #5 double point needles (5 of them) - for baby size from 3 months to 1 year (just before they get their walking shoes)

1 skein (100 yards) of a soft yarn.  Merino wool is wonderful next to their baby skin. ( A wool/cotton blend also works well for babies while keeping them warm).

Start with the sole:
Cast on 7 stitches.  Work in a garter stitch (knitting every row) for 30 rows (15 ridges).  Leave the last row on your needle.  Take another dp needle and pick up 14 stitches from the long side of your work.  Take the 3rd dp needle and pick up 7 stitches from the remaining short side.  Last take the 4th dp needle and pick up 14 stitches from the remaining long side of your piece.  You have a rectangle. 

Shoe Sides:
With your fifth needle start knitting.  It is important to use a stitch marker at the beginning of your piece so you can keep track of your rows.  Knit and Purl alternatively.  (This gives you a garter stitch when you work in the round).  Work for 16 rounds.  (8 ridges)

Shape Foot and Ankle:  (Complicated to read - but easy to do): 
Round 1:  Working a short side, knit the first 6 sts on the needle. Slip the last stitch purlwise to the next long-side needle.  Now knit 2 together and place on the first short side needle. You still have 7 stitches on this needle but you have reduced one on the long needle. Knit the remaining round. Turn your work
Round 2:  Knit 6 sts. Slip the last stitch to the long-side needle (this will be the opposite long needle from Round 1).  Knit 2 together and place this stitch back onto the short side needle. See the pattern.... You are reducing the long side stitches. One of the short sides becomes the shoe top.
Round 3 etc:  Continue this pattern until you end up with 8 stitches on each long side needles and 7 on the short sides. 

(You will have the top of your foot finished and now can begin to work the ankle.  Knit every round - stockinette stitch)

Round 1:  You will want to end up with 8 stitches on each needle so you will need to add 1 sts to each short needle. I do this on the first round and pick up a stitch in the gap of my bootie top. You will see where you  need to pick up a stitch.  You can add anywhere but adjust so you have 8 sts on each needle. 
Round 2:  Knit the round
Round 3:  Knit the round.
Round 4:  Add eyelets for your ankle ties.  K2, yarn over, k2 together.  Repeat to the end of the round.
Round 5 etc:  Knit the round for another 1"  or as desired.

Make a second bootie just like the first.

Ties:
Using double point needles, cast on 3 sts and make a pair of I-cords, each approximately 14" long or as desired.  I prefer the I-cord to ribbon because it is softer on the ankle.  I usually make mine in a contrasting color to the booties.

Finish:
Take all yarn ends and weave them invisibly into your work. 

Note:  booties can be made infant size by reducing the sole to 24 rows and the sides to 12 rounds.  Everything else will remain the same.  You might also choose a smaller needle and a finer yarn.