Tuesday, September 20, 2011

Yarn Along: Baby Knits

So, now that the cat is out of the bag (or the bun is in the oven or whatever you'd like to say),  I can finally talk to you about all the baby knitting I am not doing. Morning sickness all day sickness has pretty much taken over, but I'm now on day 2 with my new best friend Zofran and have begun again to think fondly of repetitive motions such as knitting.


Since it's hard to share pictures of non-knitting, there won't be pictures, but there are a lot of links to yummy baby knitting.


Let me first say that I did nothing crafty when my boys were born. I learned to sew the summer Ezra turned one, and then to knit that fall. So I'm not one of those knitters who has woolens to pull out from previous babies. This baby is going to have to be freshly woolen-ized.


Second, I have to say that gender-neutral sweaters and cardigans are kind of a joke. It is just not as easy as picking a "girl color" or a "boy color" and going for it, because the little details can scream one gender over the other.


{And as a side note on gender: My 4-year-old thinks that if the baby is a girl she'll have pink or purple hair (being a girl and all) even though all the girls he knows have normal colored hair. And no- it doesn't matter how many times we point out that he wasn't born with blue or red or green hair. He has his own little universe where bizarre genetics play a big role- like how he thinks his "blonde" cat is his long-lost twin brother.... because they're both blonde, you see.}


I've lined up a few favorites that I think can go either way in a "babies don't really care" kind of way and I have ideas for neutral colors- a soft heather gray, a creamy beige, perhaps even something white...


Sweet little Kanoko Pants
Milo (which I think breaks the afore mentioned gender neutral joke)
hats, hats, glorious hats...


And a much longed-for knit: the Hemlock Ring Blanket. I have loved that blanket for a long time and now there is finally a baby to receive it.


So two questions for you:

1. What is on you "absolutely must knit" list for babies?

2. What are your favorite baby yarns to knit with?

I'm looking at superwash for some things, but that is not a necessity- super comfy and soft is key.

{Yarning Along with Ginny even though it's been a few weeks and this is not my usual type of Yarn Along post. As long as the Zofran continues to work there WILL be knitting to show next week.}

10 comments:

  1. My favorite gender neutral colors are dark brown and red. Brown can be paired with pink or blue very easily, and red easily have details added later one way or the other as well. Plus, they can be unexpected colors on a baby.

    I like knit picks for baby yarns. They're inexpensive, but still soft. OK, I did make my last baby a coming home from the hospital romper out of super luxurious yarn. I will keep that outfit forever, though. It's probably one of my most favorite projects ever.

    Congratulations!

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  2. For some gender neutral baby knits, check out the Dale of Norway Baby Designs pattern book. I like Dale Baby Ull (superwash wool), Lerke and Stork.

    I also buy a lot of Knit Picks yarns, which come in some nice heathered (and not) shades, some pastel. I like the Simply Cotton Sport in color Green Tea heather -- it's like a neutral.

    Kelly @ Creating a Family Home
    www.creatingafamilyhome.com

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  3. Congratulations!! Glad to hear you are feeling a bit better. I was surprised how difficult knitting was early in my last pregnancy.
    I love all those patterns you mentioned. The puerperium would be my must knit. I also knit (and love) the Owlie Sleep Sack but my big girl was too big for it right from the beginning so I never got to use it. :(
    My favourite baby yarn is Debbie Bliss Cashmerino. So deliciously soft.

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  4. I've seen quite a few baby knits recently in soft grey, which I think look really great (and gender neutral!) Actually, I love all baby knits that are done in strong non-pastel colours! Love the patterns you've picked out :)

    Also - congratulations (Should have said that first really!)

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  5. Congratulations! I don't have any favorite baby knits since learning to knit I am only now having a baby to knit for. I did do a little pebble vest that I am quite happy with and plan on doing several more. Thank you for all the links since we still don't know what the Lima Bean that is due in March is and it's driving me NUTS! xx

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  6. Congratulations! I've never had it together enough to knit while pregnant. But I have since fallen for the Baby Surprise Jacket :)

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  7. Baby Surprise Jacket, I think is a must knit! A blanket, and maybe a hat... Congrats again!

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  8. Congratulations! I love that blanket, wow! I'm looking forward to having another baby to knit one of those for, one day!
    I love the puerperium and have knitted many, many little cardigans from that pattern. I also made lots of sleeveless tops and vests for my son when he was tiny, they are perfect in any season and weather.
    Looking forward to seeing what you will be up to over the next few months!

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  9. I just finished a puerperium sweater for my little surprise. A great knit!

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  10. 1. I LOVE knitting soakers for babies. I use the Curly Purly pattern. I have yet to knit longies, but I might wait until I have to knit longies for a newborn baby instead of knitting them for my 13 month-29 lbs. + daughter.
    2. I don't have a favorite yarn to knit baby items with. Usually, I knit with 100% wool, but it depends on the receiver.

    I LOVE the Kanoko pants. I've had my eye on them since I saw them on Ravelry. Maybe someday, I'll knit them. My favorite gender neutral colors are red and green.

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