Tuesday, July 17, 2012

New Baby Smell...

I finally realized why knitters love to make things for babies:
  • Baby patterns are SO cute!
  • Babies don't need specially fitted things.
  • You can work from your stash so it's cost-effective.
  • It takes a fraction of the time to knit a baby item than it does to knit a grown up item.
  • New mothers love hand-made garments.
It really is satisfying to say hello to a new person with a hand-knitted gift.

To wit:

These are the Basic Baby Hat by Heather Tucker and Chaussons Mignons from Pruline en Vadrouille. See my Ravelry page for more deets.
And the best part of spending next to nothing on a gift (well, except one's time, love and effort), is that you can blow the budget on the wrapping!
The wife of a work friend recently had a baby boy and I couldn't resist making something a) practical b) soft and c) tiny adorable. I'm going to give this to my friend tomorrow when he returns to the office...

So what do you think? I know these are entirely simple items but babies have entirely simple needs. Soft and warm is where it's at. And you've got to love a present that takes under 5 hours to make, including shopping for the wrapping...

Do you knit for new babies?
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17 comments:

  1. materfamiliasJuly 17, 2012 at 7:03 PM

    Yes I do! So much fun -- quick and rewarding! Since you're close to the fabulous Lettuce Knit, you might check out their gorgeous Dream in Colour Tulip baby sweaters -- so, so cute.

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    1. K.LineJuly 18, 2012 at 4:05 PM

      I've seen those sweaters and I love them. I was on an impromptu and stash busting mission though :-)

      Delete
    2. materfamiliasJuly 18, 2012 at 6:03 PM

      Oh, always bonus points for stash-busting!

      Delete
  2. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 9:16 PM

    I love knitting for younguns! In my opinion, it's a really thoughtful gift (and hopefully one that the parents will treasure), but it's also a total instant gratification project! And everything tiny is so damn cute!

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    1. K.LineJuly 18, 2012 at 4:05 PM

      It's impossible not to be happy with the end result. Everything looks cute on a baby.

      Delete
  3. AnonymousJuly 17, 2012 at 9:36 PM

    Awwww!! So cute! It *almost* makes me want to keep trying for our second....

    No, I don't knit (or crochet) at all. I keep thinking I'd like to learn, but I don't really need another (*expensive*) hobby. I think your coworker and his growing family will love them though, good work! :-)

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    1. K.LineJuly 18, 2012 at 4:06 PM

      Don't go there, honey! :-) Knitting is so different than sewing. It's quite social. So maybe you need to take it up so you can craft while hanging with the family??

      Delete
  4. JohannaJuly 17, 2012 at 11:26 PM

    It's really lovely. And yes, you're right, small items are so quick and satisfying. I think anyone who receives hand-knitted baby things is super lucky. I'm sure it's well appreciated!
    By the way I gave you a blog award (not sure if you're into that but you're a winner anyway!). Your blog is great so enjoy the kudos :) I kinda gave you two so you can take your pick I guess, lol!

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    1. K.LineJuly 18, 2012 at 4:07 PM

      Thanks Jo! And thank you for your lovely award! I'm horrible at doing those because I feel, as a blogger of 5 yrs, that there's nothing left on the planet everybody doesn't already know about me! But let me see if I can work up some new fun facts about me.

      Delete
  5. SheilaJuly 18, 2012 at 2:40 PM

    You doing these is perfect... for me... I have 2 sisters-in-law expecting. I have a quick question about your up-sizing. did you increase the number of rows knit from 20 by 30% as well (to 28 - 29)?
    Great blog!
    Sheila

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    1. K.LineJuly 18, 2012 at 4:14 PM

      Sheila: So happy to help! The original pattern calls for 6 stitches for 22 rows, then cast on 10 stitches on either side of those original 6 stitches and knit for 10 rows. What I did was 9 stitches for 22 rows (I considered lengthening this but opted against it as I was manipulating the fabric into the shape of the booties as I knitted and it didn't seem necessary). Then, when I cast on the additional stitches, I did 12 per side, not 10. Finally, I made the sides of the booties a bit taller than they would have been (to match with the proportions of the sole) by knitting 13 rows of the long rectangle (that 12 st plus 9 st plus 12 st).

      I think, depending on your yarn and needles and gauge, you can decide whether to extend the 22 rows to something longer. That represents the length of the bootie sole. Just remember that the bootie sides (the extra 12 stitches on either side of the original cast on) have to meet the sole at the front of the foot. If the sole is too long, proportions will once again be thrown off.

      Also, there are LOTS of people who have made these who documented their experiences on Ravelry. Check their projects to see if someone else gives other info on specific stitch numbers...

      Delete
  6. WendyBJuly 19, 2012 at 5:13 PM

    Exactly - my mom is an enthusiastic knitter of baby clothes for all the reasons you cited!

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  7. Miss CavendishJuly 20, 2012 at 8:33 AM

    I bought a book of baby knitting patterns a decade ago. Haven't made anything, but love to look at the miniature delightfulness . . .

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  8. AliciaJuly 26, 2012 at 6:31 PM

    Wow, these are adorable! Love how the little booties wrap on top.

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  9. K.LineJuly 26, 2012 at 6:43 PM

    I know! Isn't it such a sweet look??

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