One of my friends’ daughter just had their first grandchild. Certainly a notable reason to knit some baby items. Grandma is heading to the daughter’s home this week in the United Arab Emirates — packing must be light!
I first chose a small carseat blanket — about one quarter the size of a regular baby blanket (18×19 inches). The pattern is called the Shipley Baby Carriage Blanket. It is knit out of -er- how do I say it? — Pound of Love. Yep, crappy practical acrylic. What can I say — it’s for a baby. The size is tiny but I think it’s kind of practical — it can be used as a carseat blanket, changing pad, and when the daughter gets older, a blanket for her dolls.
I attempted to kill the acrylic as described here and hope it worked!
That didn’t seem like enough of a gift and my friend LOVED my Saartje’s Seamless Booties (pattern link here), so I made a pair in Tilli Thomas Pure and Simple 100% silk, color “Hope” and a simple hat:
I used the same buttons for these booties as my first pair! Anyway, I think it is kind of a cute little gift. The “grandma” is so supportive of my knitting that I am sure she will appreciate it.
Oooohhh! I think your knitted baby gifts are gorgeous! I am sure “grandma” and the new mother and baby will be thrilled with this beautiful gift. Who wouldn’t love and completely appreciate such a beautiful, hand-knit-with-love gift?
Comment by Barb — December 6, 2010 @ 3:54 pm
There’s absolutely nothing wrong with knitting with a pound ‘o love, as long as you can stand it. The booties and hat are over the top cute, and way over the top in fibre content. Gorgeous, both items.
Comment by Gale — December 6, 2010 @ 4:18 pm
My sister says that is the best size baby blanket for all the reasons you stated. And the silk surely makes up for Pound o’Luv. I had a student using it who did Barry White impressions about Pound o Luuuvvvv
Comment by Mary Lou — December 6, 2010 @ 4:23 pm
Love those pieces. They’ll be perfect. Most of us have used acrylic at some point in our addiction. I just look for the one that squeaks the least. I’m still not successful at killing the acrylic. It looks like yours worked. I’m going to go check out that link. Maybe I can kill the acrylic next time. (Happy Holidays!)
Comment by 2muchfun — December 6, 2010 @ 9:58 pm
How brave and honest of you to admit to the acrylic! UAE is pretty warm, right? Wool would probably have been too warm. I must try that killing-the-acrylic someday.
Comment by kmkat — December 6, 2010 @ 10:23 pm
Neat, I’d never heard of “killing” acrylic, but it sounds like it’s worth a try! Thanks for sharing.
Comment by Natalie — December 7, 2010 @ 12:05 am
All three items are adorable and I’m sure the new grandma, mommy, and baby will love them! Thanks for the tip on ‘killing acrylic’ I’d never heard of that, either. Fascinating.
Comment by Kathy — December 7, 2010 @ 2:33 am
In Ye Olde Days, the nomadic folk in the Middle East wore wool. It’s truly an all-season fiber. Unlike acrylic, which is good for no season. But babies do puke & leak and thus acrylic is a useful fiber for them. Especially good for car seats, which are either burn-your-bum hot or screeching cold. I have a whole stash of the crap. But! Amy King/Spunky Eclectic/Boogie (her name depends upon how you know her) suggests weaving with it. I was dubious, but what-the-hey. Warped up with some pearl cotton from inherited stash, wove a simple goose eye twill with icky variagated crap, and WOW! It’s attractive, soft – not that awful plasticy feel you get with acrylic – and washes beautifully.
Coda: I have a “key-pal” in Ramallah – yes, that Ramallah – and he & his wife had their first baby. I wove a blanket as above, then discovered how much it would cost to ship it. Shipping to Israel is high, but getting stuff over the green line is … er … O.M.G…. But my friend Joel was going to a wedding in Caesarea, so he connected with David in Jerusalem, who connected my nephew, who connected with Nareen, who got it to Moad. Talk about 6 degrees of separation…..
Comment by Suzan — December 7, 2010 @ 9:38 am
What beautiful gifts for the new baby! Acrylic is always a safe bet, especially for babies. Your knitting is gorgeous, and will be greatly appreciated and treasured!
Comment by Ann — December 7, 2010 @ 2:40 pm
Red Heart Super Saver also kills beautifully. The softness and drape is unbelievable. I tried it because I’d crocheted together a lumpy mess of “squares” that had been crocheted and knitted by an after-school group and was dismayed by the result. Post steaming, our blanket still looked very Gees Bend, but I was able to square it up and it felt silky and soft. Here’s a link: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/JudiP53/our-first-blanket
Comment by Judi P — December 8, 2010 @ 6:37 pm
Sweeeeeet!!
Comment by Cath Pete — December 10, 2010 @ 8:23 pm
I cant find the patterns for the beautiful baby hat Help
Comment by Anne — January 25, 2024 @ 10:51 pm
I would
Like to know how to get the pattern
Comment by Anna mckeever — April 11, 2024 @ 10:27 am