Mini Melons Preemie Mary Janes

Watermelon-inspired, Mary-Jane style baby booties for preemies!

With summer coming soon, I had to go ahead with some warm-weather inspired baby booties! These watermelon mary janes are the cutest addition to any baby's outfit, and in Preemie size, will bring so much cheer to NICU's all over :) The pattern, when using the hook size and yarn weight listed, makes Mary Janes that are about 3'' long - to fit a 3-5lb baby! You can experiment with different hook sizes and yarns to make larger or smaller Mini Melons.

These little Mary Janes are not only super cute, but they also serve a purpose in the NICU! The shoe helps hold medical lines onto the babies' feet, while the buttoned strap makes it easy for nurses and doctors to remove and replace the shoe as needed.

This pattern is a spinoff of my classic Preemie Mary Janes pattern, with a couple color changes and working in joined rounds instead of continuous rounds. And then embroidered seeds to add the finishing touch to the watermelon!

I hope this pattern inspires you to make some Mini Melon Preemie Mary Janes for a NICU near you!

MINI MELONS PREEMIE MARY JANES PATTERN:

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn in Green, White, Pink and Black (I've used both Red Heart Super Saver and Joann Big Twist Value)

Size G crochet hook

Tapestry Needle

2 buttons

Needle and thread to secure buttons

Abbreviations:

Ch = chain

Sc = single crochet

Sl St = slip stitch

Hdc = half double crochet

Dc = double crochet

Sc2tog = single crochet 2 together

Hdc2tog = half double crochet 2 together

Dc2tog = double crochet 2 together

Yo = yarn over

St = stitch(es)

Round 1: Using green yarn, Ch 9.

3 Sc in 2nd Ch from hook, Sc in next 3 Ch, Hdc in next Ch, Dc in next 2 Ch, 7 dc in last Ch.

Now working across the opposite side of base Ch: Dc in next 2 Ch, Hdc in next Ch, Sc in next 3 Ch. Sl St to the first Sc in round. Ch 1, do not turn.

Round 2: 2 Sc in next 3 St. Sc in next 7 St. Work 2 Sc in next 5 St. Sc in next 7 St. Sl St to the first Sc in round. Ch 1, do not turn.

Round 3: *Sc in next St. 2 Sc in next St* 3 times. Sc in next 7 St. *Sc in next St. 2 sc in next St* 5 times. Sc in next 7 St. Tie off green yarn, and attach white yarn in the next St.

Round 4: With white yarn, Ch 1. Sc in next 36 St. Hdc in last St. Sl St to first Sc in round. Tie off white yarn, and attach pink yarn in the next St.

Round 5: With pink yarn, Ch 1. Dc in next 10 St. Hdc in next St. Sc in next 26 St. Sl St to first Dc in round. Ch 1, do not turn.

Round 6: Sc2tog. Sc in next 6 St. Sc2tog. Sc in next 5 St. Sc2tog 7 times. Sc in next 5 St. Sl St to first Sc in round. Ch 1, do not turn.

Round 7: Hdc2tog. Hdc in next 4 St. Hdc2tog. Sc in next 5 St. Dc2tog 4 times. Sc in next 4 St. Sl St to first Hdc in round. Ch 1, do not turn.

Round 8:

Right Shoe: Sl St 11. Ch 9. Sc into 5th Ch from hook. Sc in next 4 St. Sl St into next St on the shoe. Sl St in next 12 St. Tie off and weave in ends.

Left Shoe: Sl St in next 23 St. Ch 9. Sc into 5th Ch from hook. Sc in next 4 St. Sl St into next St on shoe. Sl St in next 3 St. Tie off and weave in ends.

Assembly: With black yarn, embroider 5 seeds between each of the Dc2tog stitches.

With a needle and thread, securely sew a button to the shoe on the opposite side of the strap. Secure your stitches with a few tight knots.

Have fun with this pattern, and I'd love to see what you create! Tag me on your pictures in Instagram @mel.crochets to show me your finished Mini Melon Preemie Mary Janes!