CAPS AND BOOTIES

Easy

This crocheted stocking cap and booties can be made for premature, newborn and 3 to 6 month olds. You will need 1/2 ounce Coats & Clark's "red Heart Sofspun" baby yarn in blue and white, sizes E, F, and G crochet hooks.

Gauge: Using size F crochet hook, 5 sc equal 1 inch 6 sc rows equal 1 inch.

Note: Size E crochet hook is used for premature size.
Size F crochet hook is used for newborn size.
Size G crochet hook is used for 3-6 month size.

All rows are working in the BACK LOOP ONLY (blo) of each st to create ribbing for stretchability.

You may alternate colors, working two rows of blue, two rows white. When changing colors, work new color into last two lps of ending sc of previous color. Do not fasten off when changing color; carry across.

CAP: With blue yarn, ch 35.

Row 1: Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn - 34 scs.

Rows 2-56: Sc in blo of each st across. Ch 1 turn - 34 scs.

Using tapestry needle, weave remaining yarn in end st of every other row along the 56 row portion, pull thread tightly and whipstitch to firmly secure top of cap crown. Do not fasten off. Hold wrong side of row 1 and right side of Row 56 tog, sl st with crochet hook, or use tapestry needle and go through the blo of Row 56, matching the 34 corresponding sts. Fasten off, weave in end. Make a small pompom for crown, or crochet a rosette.

ROSETTE: Ch 9, dc in 4th st from hook, 9 dc in same sp. Work 10 dc in each remaining st. Fasten off, pull both strands of yarn to wrong side of cap and knot several times. Rosette may be secured more firmly by stitching edges in several places.

BOOTIES: Leg: Ch 15.
Row 1: (Wrong side of work) Sc in second ch from hook, sc in each st across. Ch 1, turn - 14 scs.

Rows 2-20: Sc in blo of each st across. Ch 1, turn - 14 scs. At end of Row 20, do not fasten off.

INSTEP: With edge facing where color is carried across, join in end st of 8th row of leg.
Row 1: Ch 1, sc in same st as joining sc in end st of next 4 rows. Ch 1, turn - 5 scs.

Rows 2-7: Sc in blo of each st across. Ch 1, turn - 5 scs. (At end of Row 7, do not ch 1) Fasten off. Weave ends on wrong side.

FOOT: Pick up working yarn. SC in end st of next 8 rows of leg, sc in end as of next 7 rows of instep, sc in blo of next 5 scs. Sc in end st of next 7 rows of instep, sc in end st of next 8 rows of leg. Ch 1 turn - 35 scs.

Rows 2-7: Sc in blo of each st across. Ch 1, turn - 35 scs.

ROW 8: Sk first st, sc inblo of next 14 sts, (sk one st, sc in blo of next st) 3 times, sc in blo of next 12 sts, sk one st, sl st in last st. Ch 1, turn - 29 scs.

ROW 9: Sk first st, sc in blo of next 11 sts, (sk one st, sc in blo of next st) 3 times, sc in blo of next 10 sts. Sk one st, sl st in last st. Ch 1, turn - 24 scs.