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kjtendyke
Chatty Knitter
USA
216 Posts |
 Posted - 07/24/2006 : 09:43:51 AM
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I just found out that one of my friends is pregnant! She's the first of all my friends to be having a baby and I'm so excited that I just have to make her something.
I like being original and creative, so making something like a blanket seems somewhat cliché to me, so I wanted to do something different. I'd love to hear what some mom's out there would like to receive as they're expecting their first child.
By all means, if you think a blanket would be the best thing, please say so.
~Kristen~ [img]http://kristentendyke.com/images/turtle.gif[/img]
www.kristentendyke.com |
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anderknit
Permanent Resident
USA
2549 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 11:00:19 AM
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I gotta say, I loved the blanket I received from my mother in law for my firstborn child. (It was a white feather and fan pattern.) Somehow it seemed to have more "staying power" than an article of clothing, and I did use it. (My baby is a teenager now.) And it doesn't have to be cliche - check out one or two Barbara Walker Treasuries from your library (or any other stitch guide) and you'll see how many options you have for a fabulous and unique blanket. (Also, look at the free Pinwheel Blanket pattern on the web.) Just make sure to use a nice (but washable) yarn - I find cotton blends the best combo of softness and washability. Pure cotton gets stiff and heavy, and acrylics... well, I won't use them, especially for a baby.
I'm sure you'll get lots of (conflicting) advice from all of us, so in the end, of course, go with your gut.
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the quiet voice at the end of the day saying, 'I will try again tomorrow.' " |
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Mama Cat
Permanent Resident
1223 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 11:13:05 AM
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How about something for the mom herself? Something like some really comfy socks or slippers, a neck warmer or bed jacket for those late-night feeds, or some other cushy, comfy luxury item. What would work depends on her climate and the time of year that the baby is due.
I saw a spa set when I was in a LYS recently - knitted up in cotton. I don't know the pattern but another LYS also had the pattern, so it's probably doing the rounds and others could point you in the right direction.
This one is going to sound nuts, but how about a whole collection of really soft washcloths. My mom gave me a big box (like 24) of inexpensive washcloths when my baby was born - she said you'll never believe how useful they will be. Anyway she was right, and I'm still using them 9 years later (and DD turns 9 today!! yay, happy birthday my beautiful Baby Cat!). Wouldn't hand-knit ones be even that much nicer?
Instead of a blanket, how about a baby bath towel knitted up with one of those soft slubby cotton yarns. It's just a big square with a triangle-shaped pocket in one corner which forms a sort of hat for the baby. |
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 12:48:43 PM
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By far the most popular thing I have ever given new moms is the little baby mitts to prevent them from scratching themselves. The ones for sale commercially are just not cute. One gift I make is a pair of slippers for mom, booties for baby, baby hat, and 2 sets of baby mitts--all in the same yarn. I'll write out my baby mitt pattern and but it on my blog later today. The bootie pattern is already there.
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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kjtendyke
Chatty Knitter
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 12:56:48 PM
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I'm loving the washcloth idea. She's due in November, and I've got 3 rather large projects I need to complete between now and then, so washcloths might be something easy and quick to do. I searched for washcloth patterns online and the majority of them call for a 100% cotton yarn. I have a few different yarns in mind, so I think I may just get started on these tonight!
Of course, I do have until November, so I may make a blanket anyway. I'm sure it will get used.
~Kristen~ [img]http://kristentendyke.com/images/turtle.gif[/img]
www.kristentendyke.com |
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kjtendyke
Chatty Knitter
USA
216 Posts |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 9:40:38 PM
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Blogger wouldn't let me into my blog tonight, I'll try again tomorrow. I can post the pattern here without pictures. These can be made with any size of yarn but use a needle a little smaller than you would normally use with your yarn. I use a 2 or 3 for fingering, 4 for sport, and 6 for worsted.
Cast on an even number of stitches 4 to 5 inches wide, either flat to be seamed later, or circular.
Knit one row if desired, sometimes I skip this row.
YO, k2 tog across stitches.
work in stockinette stitch until a good 2 inches from cast on. We are aiming for a finished length between 2 1/2 to 3 inches.
Place a marker at beginning of round and at the halfway mark.
Shaping top
1--k1, k2tog, knit until 2 stitches before marker, ssk. Repeat on other side of mitt
2--knit if circular, purl if flat
alternate these two rows until 12 stitches remain (6 on each side) Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch tail. Thread tail of yarn on yarn needle and slip it through remaining stitches gathering them tightly, backstitch and then weave in tail.
Use a crochetted chain, twisted cord, ribbon or strand of bulky yarn through eyelets to tie on to hands. (about 12 inches long)
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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mamid
Permanent Resident
Canada
1568 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 9:51:05 PM
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a gift certificate to a spa so that she can have a night out before the baby is born. One of my gfs swore by it. Me? My skin is so sensitive to the touch that I freak during a pedicure.
The Last Thread |
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origami
Chatty Knitter
170 Posts |
Posted - 07/24/2006 : 10:03:45 PM
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Run, don't walk, to your nearest bookstore and pick up a copy of "Mason Dixon Knitting." Make a lovely layette from their simple but wonderful patterns including the baby kimono, the baby genius burp cloth, and if you are really ambitious a moses basket blanket.
Baby blankets are nice too. Whatever you decide on will be treasured, I am sure. |
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Tam
Permanent Resident
Australia
2810 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2006 : 12:52:47 AM
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The thing I used most is blankets (baby no 3 is still using the one I made for baby no 1). The most important thing to remember is to make it machine washable...new mum's don't have time to be hand washing.
Happy Knitting,
Tam in Melbourne
http://photos.yahoo.com/lillysmum2002
2006 Stats: 2 WIPs, 11 FOs
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mokey
Permanent Resident
15375 Posts |
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CardiCorgi
New Pal
41 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2006 : 05:24:15 AM
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How about a special knitted toy, like one of the BlueSky bears, or the sweet duck from Fiona McTague's Knitted Toys book?
--Karen
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands (Prov.31:13) |
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kjtendyke
Chatty Knitter
USA
216 Posts |
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arlinem
Gabber Extraordinaire
USA
442 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2006 : 7:13:22 PM
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| make sure the eyes are embroidered. warning: bears are a great deal of fun. |
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blwinteler
Permanent Resident
USA
3145 Posts |
Posted - 07/25/2006 : 7:46:13 PM
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I made a hat and bootie set for my sis, who will be having a baby girl mid-October. The hat was Miss Dashwood, from Knitty and the booties were from Fran's pattern. In fact, I made two sets. One for my sis and one for a woman who has a kid at my son's school. Her baby was born early last week. For the holidays, I will be making felted fish for my sis's baby. I will be putting some beads into a small pill bottle and putting it into the fish along with the stuffing so it can be a rattle.
Take care!
Brandy
My finished projects
[img]http://members.cox.net/blwinteler/th_TeamVegas2.jpg[/img] |
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knits_for_preemies
Permanent Resident
USA
1957 Posts |
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kjtendyke
Chatty Knitter
USA
216 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2006 : 05:29:38 AM
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Wow, I've got some work cut out ahead of me! I really want to make everything now. A blanket doesn't sound so boring anymore, and a bear would be nice, lots of washcloths, little mittens, burp cloths... So much to choose from! I made a washcloth for myself the other night out of Classic Elite's Premiere... OMG I love it! I want to make hundreds of them! So I guess I'll just start plugging along on something and see how many things I can get finished by November :)
Barbara, those are some great links, thanks for sharing.
~Kristen~ [img]http://kristentendyke.com/images/turtle.gif[/img]
www.kristentendyke.com |
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knits_for_preemies
Permanent Resident
USA
1957 Posts |
Posted - 07/26/2006 : 06:45:53 AM
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You are very welcome.
Have a great day!
 Barbara |
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fmarrs
Guardian angel
USA
9776 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2006 : 2:00:16 PM
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Mokey,
>Are you sure that is supposed to be inches not cm? The baby mitts I have are half that size.<
yes that is correct. And when you form it into a circle or sew up a side seam, these mitts will also be half that wide.
fran
http://martianmischief.blogspot.com/ |
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knits_for_preemies
Permanent Resident
USA
1957 Posts |
Posted - 07/27/2006 : 3:46:25 PM
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Fran,
Thanks for the baby mitts pattern. Just this past Tuesday, the ladies at our charity knitting group were asking about one, since we serve a NICU at a local hospital.
I'll pass the mitt pattern on to them.
Barbara |
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