I love knitting for babies. I know that some knitters don't. Here's their reasoning: babies are messy, and there's a good chance that the knitted item is going to get drool or spit-up on it within minutes. Also, there's the whole issue with how quickly babies grow...what you make likely won't fit them for very long.
But it's still so satisfying. How else would you be able to knit up a sweater in a matter of days? (Maybe some of you fast knitters can knit an adult sweater in week, but I'm lucky if I can do it in a month.) And while the finished item is pretty darn adorable in itself, there is nothing cuter than a baby wearing a handknit.
My friend Carolynn is due to have her first baby, a little boy, in a few weeks. I knew I wanted to knit something for him. This was the first time I'd had the chance to knit for a baby boy! Ever since I started knitting, all of the babies I've made gifts for have been girls.
I had a skein of blue, hand-dyed, superwash Merino yarn that I bought at the fiber festival last year that would be perfect to use, but I wasn't sure what to make with it. It was 275 yards of DK weight yarn, which was too much for a hat and not enough for a blanket, and I was sure that the only size sweater I could squeeze out of it would be newborn. And a baby born in July does not need a wool sweater. Then I stumbled across this pattern which has a 3-6 month size, and according to the pattern, I had plenty of yardage. I was skeptical that I could get a whole sweater out of one skein, but it worked out! I even had enough yarn to lengthen the sleeves and still had a bit leftover. :)
I'm so happy with how this little sweater turned out. The pattern is very simple and quick, and it was really the perfect fit for this yarn. There was no pooling, and the colors blended together in a sweet way. I'm so glad I hadn't used this yarn for anything else.
With this heat, I know that Rueben won't have any need for a sweater when he's first born, but hopefully it will keep him cozy this fall! :)
Ravelry project page.
I have like given myself this rule for no wool for babies, and I generally avoid most man-made stuff already. I am afraid of allergies and people getting mad. Maybe (probably) it is paranoia. I know babies have been bundled in wool for millennia. Any advice?
ReplyDeleteI guess you could use cotton? Personally I love using wool for baby items. I used to use acrylic, but I really hate that stuff. So now I use superwash wool. I'd much prefer regular wool, but while I don't mind hand-washing my knits, I know that a lot of new parents will prefer something machine washable. As for allergies, I've always felt like if you start a baby in wool, they'll get used to it young and won't find it "itchy" when they're older. :) Though I'm not saying put the scratchiest wool you can find on a baby's skin, of course.
DeleteSo I'm not sure. I'm incredibly biased towards wool so I'm probably not the best person to ask. :)
and I love it! I know Rueben will love it too :) :) I can't wait for him to wear it....and it was such a sweet gift! I love the knitting book and the hungry caterpillar book too :P Wool is perfect for babies, I think!!
ReplyDeleteI'm so glad! :) I can't wait to see pictures of him wearing it. And you know I can't pass up a knitting picture book...
DeleteBeautiful!
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