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I'm finding that I've reached that age where the majority of my friends are settling down and having lots of adorable babies! Such a wonderful and happy time!
I must admit though, it drives me crazy sometimes. That's really only because I can't keep up!
Allow me to elaborate a bit:
I have three friends with timers going, and two that have recently finished baking. Four are first-time parents.
That's just so far this year. There were six last year and four the year before!
Now the specifics:
Everyone wants everything to be perfect. I totally understand this. To a point....
This one wants an afghan, and this one booties. This one wants a sweater, and this one a newborn cap. She wants all natural, he wants soft. They want something that's versatile, and all they want is something hand-made. Not too light. Not too heavy. Too much detail. Not enough detail. Can you add a crocheted lace border? That's too feminine. Why aren't there any ruffles? Can you make it more sporty?
Boy, boy, girl, boy, surprise!
We're having a boy, but absolutely no blue!
It's a girl, but no pink!
Everything must be all white!
Can you make something with four shades of green and a pale yellow?
ACK!
How about washable, soft, and won't choke or strangle? You'll thank me later. Color doesn't matter, and you'll agree with me in 6 months.
I actually had the below request from one of my closest girlfriends who had a boy, she knows I love her....
Okay, I want all natural. No man-made fibers at all. Washable. No blue at all. Absolutely nothing gender specific. Please put in at least one yellow stripe because Dad is a Steelers fan. (*I interjected here that the Steelers' colors were red, yellow, and BLUE. She wouldn't budge.*) Nothing with ruffles or too much detail. Keep it simple please. If you do green, make it all match. Multiple shades are fine, but don't do crayon green and pine. They look awful together. (*What?*)
I laughed, but I love that woman, so I did what she asked. $120 in silk and silk/cotton blends later, I had a sweater, hat, booties, and thumbless mittens. We went to three different stores to find a green she was happy with.
Side note: I made her an afghan when her little man was about 2 months old. It was green and white(below). I told her it was man-made fiber and completely washer and dryer safe. She was very thankful, and you're soon to find out why.
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Anyways, they took me about 20 minutes to make. The pattern is free and easy. I made the ties (bottom of image), and hated them. I used ribbon instead.
Downside to using silk for baby stuff: Baby feet, new parents, first diaper changes, mom forgot they were silk.
Aaaaaaaaaaand they're gone....
Beanie: This pattern took me about 30 minutes. Super quick. Unfortunately, I can't find a good picture of this hat. Apologies, but I'll keep looking. I again used 100% silk yarn on one of these. Please don't. It's rather heavy, and again mom forgot it was silk.I have made several of these in varying fibers, and acrylic is still my go-to. Namely because it's WASHER/DRYER SAFE!
Sweater: This sweater actually came out really well and only took about 2.5 hours to make(with distractions). I apologize, but the only pictures I have of this are from the baby shower, and they are all very blurry. I used the same sage green(100% silk), but also a darker pine green(silk/cotton blend) and yes, a yellow stripe(silk/cotton blend). I put the stripe around the wrists.
After a day of Daddy learning the art of burping, Mommy put it through the dryer.
Aaaaaaaaaaand it's gone.... Too.....
Mittens: These are super simple. Very very basic. They took only minutes each. Mom was far more careful with these, since they may go in baby's mouth. The only item left of the gift pack. She's digging them out of storage to get me a good picture.
Little Pillow Baby Mitts from Sandyfroglegs Designs
Everyone has their favorites, but my friends tastes vary so much, I'm picking up new patterns constantly. If your local craft/yarn stores put out free patterns, grab them. GRAB ALL OF THEM! I have binders full of thousands of free patterns all in sheet-protectors and categorized.
The internet is a great resource, but sometimes it's easier to flip through a book. I've also found that expecting Mommies, really enjoy this. Having a warm cup of caffiene-free tea, and sitting on the couch going through books of pretty little baby things. This, instead of sitting in front of a computer trying to search some poorly organized website. Plus I have hundreds of skeins/balls of yarn to sample in varying textures and colors. (*I have a yarn addiction. It's a problem. I know this. Don't judge me.*)
Don't have binders chocked full of patterns? Try Ravelry. Love love LOVE them!
My Go-to Baby Afghans
Snuggle Up - Leisure Arts #3015, Absolutely Gorgeous, Book 4 - Baby Afghans by Terry Kimbrough and Leisure Arts --- Purchase from Amazon
This is not a free pattern, but it is gorgeous and worth the purchase!
I spent approximately 21 hours on this afghan. I used Caron Simply Soft for all three colors, sage, dark sage, and white.
Heirloom Christening Blanket by Agnes Russell --- Free Pattern from Crochet World
This afghan is a slightly larger time investment. I do have one partially completed in the recommended crochet thread, and it truly is beautiful. However, in the interest of plushiness, functionality, and time, I again used Caron Simply Soft. This time in Country Blue and Dark Country Blue. As well as one in Coconut, which I believe is no longer available.
I modified the pattern since using the thicker yarn made for a gigantic afghan.
Here are my modifications:
I halved the pattern. I chained 111 to start, and using an i-hook followed the pattern from there. 60 rows came out to approximately 42 inches. Then I worked the border. Again, following the pattern.
Now, I have a recommendation for the final row of the main body. Notice in the image to the left, the row before the border has large gaps between sets. This is because that final row has you doing [ch 7] to connect each set. I would do [ch 3, dc, ch3] instead. This way the border is more secure on this side.
2 Sided Baby Afghan by Janet David --- Free Pattern Here
I cannot rave enough about this pattern. It's super thick and just gorgeous. Plus it's actually very easy to do. Nothing really but DCs and CHs.
I found this one on Ravelry recently, and started it in early March. I was working three projects at once, and this one unfortunately took the back burner because of how slow-going it was.
Again with the Caron Simply Soft. This time in Light Country Blue and White. As you can tell, I am a huge fan of this yarn for gifts. It's soft and functional.
My notes: It's 2-sided. Or, 2 afghans made simultaneously through each other. Double the work, double the time. I've put close to 30 hours in, and am only about 2 ft along.
I increased the hook size to -I- and started with a Ch of 158, cutting about 6
inches off. Since this will basically be border-free, it should be a
bit big, but not huge.
(*In hindsight, I would not have reduced the number of stitches. This is because I like my afghans to be not only for baby, but for Mommy and/or Daddy to snuggle up with baby.*)
Follow the directions literally, and it’s quite easy. It may seem as though the two pieces are going off in their own directions, but don’t worry, they’ll come back together over the next row.
Since it works back to back, 4-rows really only equates to about 1-inch of progress. So far I've found that you get about 10"-14" to a skein.
(*In hindsight, I would not have reduced the number of stitches. This is because I like my afghans to be not only for baby, but for Mommy and/or Daddy to snuggle up with baby.*)
Follow the directions literally, and it’s quite easy. It may seem as though the two pieces are going off in their own directions, but don’t worry, they’ll come back together over the next row.
Since it works back to back, 4-rows really only equates to about 1-inch of progress. So far I've found that you get about 10"-14" to a skein.
Non-Traditional Gifts?
Looking for something simple? Less time-consuming than an afghan, but more useful than booties that baby will outgrow in 2 weeks?
How about towels or washcloths?
Seriously, you can never have enough of these when it comes to kiddos.
I love that most cones of Lily Sugar'n' Cream come with towel patterns on the labels, but have also found that "hotpad" patterns can be quite useful as washcloths with the right yarn.
Tynne Potholder by Tintti Hohti --- Free Pattern here
This is NOT my favorite pattern to work, but the result truly is awesome!
I used Knit Picks - Comfy Fingering Yarn in Marlin and Seafoam. This yarn is 75% cotton and 25% acrylic, and amazingly soft! Plus, it's WASHER/DRYER SAFE! Yay!!! lol, moving on.
Instead of chaining 54, I went with 39. It’s about 8 inches across. It took me about 2.5 hours to make the one.
Follow the pattern! The pattern was easy, but it was quite cumbersome. You’re working back down and through the first half. Take your time, and note how you’re holding your work. The further in you get, the easier it will be.
When I was done I found it to be flexible like a hand-towel, not a hot-pad. I should have used acrylic yarn, and much thicker for a hot-pad.
(*Good heavens! Another friend just announced they are expecting! That's four cooking now!*)
The Spiral Scrubbie by Judith Prindle --- Free Pattern Here
Seriously, I turn into a giddy idiot at the thought of making more of these. They take about 20 minutes to make and are so very functional! 23-25 yards of yarn per, depending on technique.
I use cotton for the bath/shower, and acrylic for the sink. They work great for wiping away food from dishes or using with body wash. I've made enough, that I can alternate and toss them in the washer and dryer when they are ready to be cleaned.I used Red Heart for the white and blue two(for the dishes), and Peaches and Cream cotton for the blue/green/white scrubbie(for the bath). I could easily make 3, maybe even 4, from one ball of cotton which only cost me $1.69.
Lots of options for baby gifts. Maybe make a gift-set if you're up for it!
Enjoy!
