Mustard Claw Cable Knit Free Pattern
Mustard Claw Cable Knit Baby Booties – Free Pattern
Introduction
These little straight-tube booties are a joy to knit and even more fun to give. Worked toe-up in soft terracotta cotton, they feature a wide mustard cable panel braided up the front and small cable-twist "claw" shapes at the ankle for a preppy, crab-inspired touch. The simple tube shape means no heel shaping and no sole seam, so the booties slip on easily and stay snug on wiggly 6–12 month feet. With a folded-over rib cuff and a crisp two-color contrast, they look polished enough for a special occasion yet feel cozy and breathable against delicate skin.
Materials Needed
- Yarn: Worsted weight cotton yarn (100% cotton, 100 g / 200 yds): 50 yds terracotta (MC), 30 yds mustard (CC)
- Needles: US 5 (3.75 mm) double-pointed needles (set of 4) or a circular needle for magic loop
- Notions: Cable needle, stitch markers, tapestry needle, scissors
- Finished size: Foot length 4 inches (10 cm), fits 6–12 months
Abbreviations
- CO: cast on
- K: knit
- P: purl
- M1L: make 1 left (lift the bar between stitches from front to back and knit it through the back loop)
- M1R: make 1 right (lift the bar between stitches from back to front and knit it through the front loop)
- C6F: cable 6 front (slip 3 sts to cable needle, hold in front, K3, then K3 from cable needle)
- C6B: cable 6 back (slip 3 sts to cable needle, hold in back, K3, then K3 from cable needle)
- C3F: cable 3 front (slip 2 sts to cable needle, hold in front, K1, then K2 from cable needle)
- C3B: cable 3 back (slip 1 st to cable needle, hold in back, K2, then K1 from cable needle)
- BO: bind off
- RS: right side
- WS: wrong side
- Rnd: round
- St(s): stitch(es)
- MC: main color (terracotta)
- CC: contrasting color (mustard)
Gauge
20 sts and 28 rnds = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch. Knit a small swatch in the round and measure it flat after a light block; adjust needle size if needed to match.
Tips Before You Start
- Judy's Magic Cast-On gives the toe a seamless, rounded finish—practice it once on scrap yarn before starting.
- Keep the cable panel stitches on their own needle (needle 2) so the side and sole stitches stay plain and easy to track.
- Cross cables on the RS rows only, and give the yarn a gentle tug after each cable to keep the panel tidy.
- Because the bootie is a straight tube, try it on (or measure against a baby sock) before binding off the cuff.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Toe and Foot
Set-up: CO 24 sts using Judy's Magic Cast-On with MC. Divide sts evenly on 3 needles (8 sts each). Join to work in the round.
Rnd 1: K all sts (24 sts).
Rnd 2 (inc): K1, M1L, K to last st on needle 1, M1R, K1; rep on needle 2; K all sts on needle 3 (32 sts).
Rnds 3–4: K all sts (32 sts).
Rnd 5: Rep Rnd 2 (40 sts).
Rnds 6–8: K all sts (40 sts).
Cable Panel (worked over center 16 sts of needle 2 in CC)
Change to CC. Work the Cable Panel over the center 16 sts of needle 2, and K the remaining sts on needles 1 and 3 in MC. Work even until the piece measures 2.5 inches from CO, ending after a WS row.
Row 1 (RS): P2, K12, P2.
Row 2 (WS): K2, P12, K2.
Rows 3–4: Rep Rows 1–2.
Row 5: P2, C6F, C6B, P2.
Row 6: K2, P12, K2.
Rows 7–8: Rep Rows 1–2.
Row 9: P2, K12, P2.
Row 10: K2, P12, K2.
Row 11: P2, C6B, C6F, P2.
Row 12: K2, P12, K2.
Rep Rows 1–12 for pattern until the foot measures 2.5 inches, ending after a WS row.
Claw Motif (worked at ankle over center 6 sts of needle 2)
After the cable panel, work the Claw Motif on the center 6 sts of needle 2 in CC, maintaining MC on the sides.
Row 1 (RS): K6.
Row 2 (WS): P6.
Row 3: C3F, C3B.
Row 4: P6.
Row 5: K6.
Row 6: P6.
Rep Rows 1–6 once more.
Cuff
Change to MC. K 1 rnd.
Next rnd: *K2, P2; rep from * around.
Work in 2x2 rib for 1.5 inches.
Final rnd: BO loosely in rib.
Assembly and Finishing
Weave in all ends on the wrong side, taking care not to pull the cable panel tight. Fold the ribbed cuff over. Block lightly by misting with water and shaping the bootie flat; let it dry completely before wearing. Repeat all instructions for the second bootie.
Pro Tips and Variations
- Swap the mustard CC for a deep teal or navy for a different preppy look.
- Add a tiny duplicate-stitch dot on each claw twist to emphasize the crab motif.
- For a warmer bootie, work the foot in a sport-weight wool blend and go up one needle size to keep gauge.
