July 8, 2013:
Hmmm. after finishing and seaming most of the first shoe I find this much much too long-winded and laborious.
these will be ripped and I am going to adapt the principle to one of fleegle’s seam-free adaptions of the saartje booties.

Which worked perfectly! Adorable!
Mods to Fleegle’s booties:
After sole increases are finished, continue in stocking stitch.
Make only one strap, but slightly longer (12 sts) and incorporate yo buttonhole.
Knit in socks:
front cast-off stitches are 21. count from strap 7, pick up six in white yarn from inside of shoe. Knit back, picking up new stitch at beginning and end of row and k2tog with first, ssk with last st. Purl back, repeat (four rows). Repeat thrice more (=8 rows altogether) but increase at beginning and end of knit rows (m1L) =12 sts. turn inside out, pick up 24 stitches along inside of shoe, below gartere line. Knit 24 rounds in k1p1 rib. Picot bind-off. Add button, weave in ends.