Finally knitting baby stuff

Well, I've finally started my duties as an auntie. didn't knit anything for my own kids when they were little nor my other nephews apart from some sock for my now 3 year old newphew a year ago. My sister is having another baby which was due last week but still hasn't turned up. It's going to be a boy. I've been meaning to knit a baby shawl or blanket for ages and finally started over Christmas. I'm knitting squares which will then be sewn together. I'll take some pics later and come back and post them. One of the features I'm planning is a large square in the middle with the baby's name (which I think is going to be Storm) and his date of birth knitted into the middle of the square, then smaller squares around it with different motives. I'll pop back later with some pics.

These are the squares for the border:

A group pic of the yarns i'm using,

And the baby has now arrived. A boy - no name yet.

Lacy Cardigan

I've finished the first lacy cardigan I'm knitting in Baby Shimmer 4 ply, this ones in the White as well. *Pic to follow shortly*

New Auntie Member

I am going to make this sweater for my DN. She is 16 months old so I am going to make the 1 - 2 year old size. I am using the same yarn as called for in the pattern and the same shade shown above. I'm not using the Funky Fur Magic because I don't like the different shades on the sleeves. As soon as I get a little bit worked up on the needles, I will post a real picture of my progress. We are going to the Oakland Stitch N Pitch so I am going to save the sleeves for that trip.

One Baby Shrug done!

Here's my 1st Baby Shrug and Socks from "Simply Baby" by Debbie Bliss. I have two close friends that are having girls in November, so I still have to make another set. I may make hats if I have enough yarn left over. I used the yarn specified in the pattern but added the strips in the ribbing to match the socks. This is an easy pattern and it turned out really cute.

Stitch Patterns for Baby Blankets

This is a book by Jan Eaton and contains knitted and crocheted designs, blocks and edgings for cot covers and shawls. There are a range of easy through to more experienced patterns and the ideal book if you want to design your own cot cover, blanket or baby shawl.

Premature Baby Patterns

It took some time for me to track down some premature baby patterns that I liked, there are some fairly basic ones on internet sites (see links) and one or two standard patterns will go down to 16" which is the larger size for premature; but otherwise I found it quite a job to find anything I liked. I have it in mind that the knits don't have to be boring and plain just because a baby is premature and often very small although I realise that practicability must be taken into account especially if you are knitting for babies that are still in hospital. Premature babies are mostly unexpected therefore parents aren't always prepared and may well have a huge collection of average sized garments awaiting the arrival home of their little one but these are not yet going to fit so a bundle of lovely suitable handknitted items in the appropriate premature size could well be appreciated.
I am knitting mine to make into little packs of each size which will go to a charitable cause such as the local SCBU unit.

In my search for such patterns I came across several that were quite suitably just the ticket and a series of books that made the whole effort worthwhile.

The books I write of above are called Early Arrivals and are published by Sirdar. I've managed to get hold of the Early Arrivals Book No.2 (no.301). The knits in this book are as delightful as the babes modelling them and pattern sizes start at 10" (25cm) through to 20" (51cm/6 to 12 months) and using from 1 ball upwards of Snuggly 4 ply and DK yarn. A blanket, hats and bootees are included too.

An excerpt from the book states:

"Designs have been included to suit a range of abilities. Easy knits which are suitable for the more inexperienced knitter, being strongly featured".



If you want a copy and are having trouble finding one, contact Sirdar on the links posted below:-

Sirdar

e-mail: knittting-helpline@sirdar.co.uk

Little Treasures - half price on the Rowan site

Little Treasures is a pattern book by Rowan that contains sixteen designs by Lois Daykin using Rowan Soft Baby and Rowan have got it in their offers section for £2 something, I'm hopeless cos already forgotton and only just been on there but anyway the book is lovely with some teriffic patterns and was already a great price at £5 or was it £4.99, can you believe me I've a memory like a sieve.

When I first obtained my copy I thought that the designs were probably more intermediate than beginner and therefore a bit beyond my ability at the time so until now I've been quite happy just to flick through every so often and admire the georgeous knits and beautiful photography, it's the sort of book I just love having on the bookshelf to look at anyway. That said, it doesn't take long to acquire the experience needed to do the projects and I think there are one or two that I'll now be adding to my knitting project list.