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# Little Wheels Baby Booties
*Tunisian Simple Stitch sole with a Catherine Wheel cuff*

**Skill Level:** Easy (with two new stitch techniques clearly explained)
**Sizes:** 6–12 months (12–18 months) — instructions written for smaller size with larger in parentheses.
**Finished Foot Length:** 4.25 in / 10.8 cm (5 in / 12.7 cm)
**Finished Cuff Height:** 2.75 in / 7 cm (3.25 in / 8.25 cm)

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## Materials

- **Yarn:** Worsted weight (#4 medium), approx. 100 yds (90 m) Main Color (MC); 30 yds (27 m) Contrast Color (CC) for Catherine Wheel band
  - Recommended fiber: wool or wool/acrylic blend for warmth and elasticity
- **Hooks:**
  - US H-8 / 5.0 mm **Tunisian (afghan) hook** — for sole
  - US G-6 / 4.0 mm standard crochet hook — for walls, Catherine Wheel band, and cuff
- **Notions:** Tapestry needle, scissors, 2 stitch markers

## Gauge

- **In Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS):** 16 sts × 14 rows = 4 in / 10 cm (H hook)
- **In single crochet:** 16 sc × 18 rows = 4 in / 10 cm (G hook)
- **Catherine Wheel band:** 1 wheel cluster (10 sts wide) ≈ 1.75 in / 4.5 cm

*Take time to check gauge — baby booties are small, and gauge controls fit.*

## Abbreviations (US Terms)

- **ch** — chain
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **sc** — single crochet
- **dc** — double crochet
- **sc2tog** — single crochet 2 together (decrease)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **BLO** — back loop only
- **FLO** — front loop only
- **TSS** — Tunisian Simple Stitch
- **Rep** — repeat

## Special Stitches

### Tunisian Simple Stitch (TSS)
Worked in two passes per row using the Tunisian hook.
- **Forward pass:** Insert hook from right to left under the front vertical bar of the next stitch, yarn over, pull up a loop. Leave loop on hook. Repeat across; do not turn.
- **Return pass:** Yarn over, pull through 1 loop on hook (this is the edge st). *Yarn over, pull through 2 loops on hook.* Repeat from * until 1 loop remains on hook. Do not turn.
- The loop remaining on the hook counts as the first stitch of the next forward pass.

### Catherine Wheel Stitch (worked in the round)
Multiple of 10 sts.
- **Round A (cluster setup):** *Sc in next st, skip 2 sts, 7 dc in next st (shell), skip 2 sts, sc in next st;* rep around. *(This forms half-wheels.)*
- **Round B (cluster close):** *Ch 3 (counts as first dc), skip 1 st, dc6tog over next 6 sts (closing the previous shell into a cluster), ch 3, sc in center dc of next sc-shell-sc grouping — wait, see simplified version below.*

**Simplified Easy Catherine Wheel (used in this pattern, 2-round repeat over 10-st multiple):**

- **Round 1:** *Sc in next st, skip 2 sts, 7 dc in next st, skip 2 sts;* rep around, join with sl st to first sc.
- **Round 2:** Ch 1, *dc6tog (yo, insert in next st, pull up loop, yo, pull through 2 — repeat across 6 sts, then yo and pull through all 7 loops on hook) to close the wheel, ch 3, sc in next sc, ch 3;* rep around, join with sl st to top of first cluster. The "fanned" shells become closed clusters with chain spaces between — creating the classic wheel look.

*If new to Catherine Wheel: practice on a small swatch of 26 ch first.*

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## Pattern Instructions
*Make 2 booties alike.*

### Part 1 — The Sole (TSS, worked flat)

With **MC and Tunisian hook**, ch **16 (18)**.

**Foundation Row (forward):** Insert hook in 2nd ch from hook, yo, pull up a loop. Pull up a loop in each remaining ch. *You should have 16 (18) loops on hook.*

**Foundation Row (return):** Work standard TSS return pass. *1 loop remains on hook.*

**Rows 1–14 (Rows 1–17):** Work in TSS (forward + return) for a total of **15 (18)** rows including foundation.

**Final bind-off row:** *Insert hook under next vertical bar, yo, pull through bar AND loop on hook (sl st);* rep across. Fasten off.

✅ **Math check:** 15 rows × 0.286 in/row ≈ 4.3 in (18 rows × 0.286 ≈ 5.15 in). Matches target sole length.

The sole is a small rectangle — we'll round the edges with the sc walls.

### Part 2 — Sole Edging & Walls (sc, in the round)

Switch to **G-6 / 4.0 mm hook** and MC. With RS facing, join with sl st to any corner of the sole.

**Round 1 (edging):** Sc evenly around the sole, working **2 sc in each of the 4 corners** and approx:
- Along long sides (rows): 1 sc per row = 15 (18) sc each side
- Along short ends (cast-on/bind-off): 1 sc per st = 16 (18) sts each end

Total: 15 + 16 + 15 + 16 + 8 (corner increases) = **62 (70) sc**. Join with sl st to first sc.

*Adjust by 1–2 sts if needed to reach 60 (70) — must be a multiple of 10 for the Catherine Wheel later. Aim for **60 (70) sts**.*

**Round 2 (BLO ridge):** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. *60 (70) sts.*

**Rounds 3–5:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. *60 (70) sts each round.*

### Part 3 — Toe Shaping

Place a marker at the center front (toe). Count back 8 (10) sts on each side of the marker — this is the toe decrease zone of 16 (20) sts.

**Round 6 (decrease):** Sc to start of decrease zone, then *sc2tog, sc 2;* rep across the decrease zone, sc in each remaining st around. Join.
- 6–12mo: 4 decreases → 56 sts
- 12–18mo: 5 decreases → 65 sts

**Round 7 (decrease):** Repeat across same zone with *sc2tog, sc 1;* rep, sc around.
- 6–12mo: 4 more decreases → 52 sts. **Adjust to 50 sts** with one more sc2tog at side.
- 12–18mo: 5 more decreases → 60 sts ✓

✅ **Stitch count after toe shaping: 50 (60) sts** — still a multiple of 10.

### Part 4 — Catherine Wheel Band (CC)

Switch to **CC**. Join with sl st to back center st.

**Round 8:** Ch 1, sc in each st around. Join. *50 (60) sc.*

**Round 9 (shells):** Ch 1, *sc in next st, skip 2 sts, 7 dc in next st, skip 2 sts;* rep around — **5 (6) shells** total. Join with sl st to first sc.

**Round 10 (close wheels):** Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc), dc5tog over next 5 dc (yo, pull up lp in each of next 5 sts, yo pull through all 6 loops + ch-3 = closed wheel), *ch 3, sc in next sc, ch 3, dc6tog over next 6 dc;* rep around to last group, ch 3, sc in last sc, ch 3. Join with sl st to top of first cluster.

**Round 11 (recover stitch count):** Ch 1, *3 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in next sc, 3 sc in ch-3 sp, sc in top of cluster;* rep around. Join. *Approx. 50 (60) sts — count and adjust.*

✅ **Math check:** 5 wheels × 10 sts/wheel = 50 ✓ (6 × 10 = 60 ✓)

### Part 5 — Ribbed Cuff

Switch back to **MC**.

**Rounds 12–14:** Ch 1, sc in BLO of each st around. Join. *50 (60) sts.*

**Round 15 (optional picot edge):** Ch 1, *sc in next 3 sts, ch 2, sl st in same st (picot);* rep around. Join.

Fasten off, leaving a 6 in / 15 cm tail.

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## Finishing

1. Weave in all ends securely on the inside using a tapestry needle. **Tip:** Weave in multiple directions to prevent slipping — important for baby items that go through frequent washing.
2. Gently steam block or spray block to even out the Catherine Wheel band.
3. **Optional:** Thread a 12 in / 30 cm length of CC yarn through the ch-3 spaces of Round 10 as a drawstring tie, finishing with small tassels or pompoms at each end.
4. **Safety note:** Avoid buttons or small embellishments for babies under 12 months. Do not use loose ribbons or ties that could pose a choking hazard — keep any ties short (under 6 in).

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## Customization Ideas

- **Slipper boots:** Add 2–3 more rounds before the Catherine Wheel band, or repeat the wheel band twice for a taller cuff.
- **Color play:** Work the TSS sole in CC and the body in MC for contrast.
- **Texture:** Replace the Catherine Wheel with a row of 2-color sc stripes for an even quicker make.
- **Non-slip sole:** For toddlers beginning to walk, apply small dots of fabric puff paint to the underside of the sole.

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## At-a-Glance Stitch Count Summary

| Section | Round/Row | Stitch Count 6–12mo (12–18mo) |
|---|---|---|
| TSS sole | 15 (18) rows | 16 (18) sts wide |
| Edging | Rnd 1 | 60 (70) |
| Walls | Rnds 2–5 | 60 (70) |
| Toe shaping | Rnds 6–7 | 50 (60) |
| Catherine Wheel | Rnds 8–11 | 50 (60) |
| Cuff | Rnds 12–15 | 50 (60) |

Enjoy your **Little Wheels Booties** — a cozy first project for trying Tunisian Simple Stitch alongside the showstopping Catherine Wheel!