Thank you for joining us in our excitement about our new little one! Jonny and I have read all of your sweet comments over the past few days with big smiles on our faces.
I have been thinking a lot about what I want to knit in the next six months or so. Maybe too much. But I thought I would share my plans, and then maybe you guys could recommend some baby knits, because I need help! Silas was a summer baby, so I didn’t really knit for his early months. Beatrix was born in the fall, but I was only knitting hats at that point, so this will be our first baby born since I became a “serious” knitter.
First thing, I did decide what to knit with my skein of yellow yarn. I cast on for a (wait a second, must look up the spelling) Puerperium Cardigan. I question all those buttons, but I like the look of it, and it works out weight and yardage wise for my yellow yarn. And considering the fact that there are nearly 3000 of these floating around Ravelry, the buttons must not be so bad.
But, after I finish this, I really have some non-baby knitting to attend to. Specifically, I need to do some knitting for Larkspur. I bought yarn in the color of her choice (pictured above) to knit a Sunday Sweater for next year. My plan is to write the pattern for the next size up as I go. I’ve been promising people for months that I would get this done, and I finally realized that the only way it would happen is if I am actually knitting it. I have the yarn now, and that’s a start!
I also really, really want to knit another Phoebe Sweater for Larkspur. (the pattern is from this super cute picture book
Lark hasn’t picked up her knitting needles in some time, but today she pulled out her rainbow yarn and started knitting back and forth, warming up for the hat she plans to knit for the new baby. Beatrix is claiming that she is going to knit the baby a sweater, hat, and hand warmers. Considering that she still knits in my lap, relying on my hands, we’ve got some work to do. Maybe I can convince her to knit the baby a nice soft washcloth instead.
As far as my own baby knitting plans: I know I want to knit a Baby Vertebrae and that will probably be the next thing I knit for baby. And of course I’ll knit a Milo or two, because those are so easy and practical. I like the look of this blanket and the fact that it isn’t a square (I seem to really like Kelly Brooker patterns!) I also want to knit lots of baby socks. I think Kelly’s pattern looks great.
What knits do you recommend for babies? I want practical items that I will really use. Please share links to your favorite newborn and 0-6 months baby patterns in the comments!
**some of the comments with links are being held for moderation, so if you don’t see your comment pop up after you post it, no worries. I’ll approve it as soon as I see it!
If I had been a regular knitter during my last pregnancy I would have knitted the Project Linus Blanket. As it was, I discovered the pattern (and rediscovered my love of knitting) when my last baby was a year old. If I were pregnant, that blanket would be on my needles.
I just finished a Gramps Cardi by Kate Oates for a friend who is expecting and it is so darn cute, it’s giving me baby fever!
My last baby was a December child, so she needed lots of tiny knits. I cannot recommend enough the Looking Glass Longies pattern. The newborn sizing was dead on! I was able to get 3 months out of the newborn size because I made the legs a schooch longer. I also loved the Emma Tunic, but we knew we were having a girl.
Yay!! So excited for you all! Congratulations! We are expecting too, but not from my womb, someone elses – still so excited and nesting and knitting! xx Rach
Yay, baby knits!! Congratulations, Sheller family!!
I’ve been working on many baby knits for friends and now for our #7! My favourites are the pebble vest, plain vest (although not quite newborn), and puerperium. Most recently I’ve cast on Gretchen’s Little Pearl Vest (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/little-pearl-vest) – I think it will be another awesome newborn knit.
Quite a string of p-named baby patterns. 😉
For socks I love the pattern from More Last-Minute Knit Gifts (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-socks-13).
Now I’ve got to browse everyone else’s suggestions!
Hahah convince Beatrix to knit a washcloth! That part made me laugh out loud!
I am (sadly) not yet a knitter. But I loved those booties you made! And leg warmers on babies are about the cutest thing ever! Sorry I have no links to provide, but I figured you probably had the patterns for those! 🙂
The Mossy Jacket by Fawn Pea has always been a favorite of mine, and much appreciated by all the mamas I’ve gifted it to. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mossy-jacket Congratulations!
I have three favorite favorites.
1) Henry a free, baby boy pattern from the Petite Purls magazine. http://www.petitepurls.com/Spring10/spring2010_phenry.html
2) Plain Vest, a free lovely practical cardigan. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/plain-vest
3) And the classic, Wonderful Wallaby pattern, for any age, for any child! Here it is on Phoebe, super soft in Malabrigo: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/astoria/wonderful-wallaby-3
Oh God… a 7th child?! I am impressed! Very impressed… also because you seam so young (maybe a little older than I am?)! But congratulations to you both, to you all, it really is a good news! I would love to have such a big familly. It must turn your everyday life into a great adventure!
Congratulations. Baby knitting is about the most exciting knitting there is. I’m excited for you!
I have just written a little hat pattern that you might like and it comes in newborn size.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pixie-tadhg. Autumn babies need many hats 🙂
Congrats!
I am knitting baby stuff too. Not for me, but my first grandchild! ( scary)
I recommending this http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/maile-sweater.
I havent knit this, but a friend of my have, she say it is an nice knit. And it look awesome, don’t you think? I am going to knit this. Good luck with your knit, you have a lot of link to look at.
God bless you, and your pregnancy!
Wow! This is a lil off topic but I just read your about page and you and I have a TON in common! I’m also a Catholic convert (2007 for me) and homeschooling mom of many! I also married really fast and my husband’s name is also Johnny LOL!! How’s that for a coincidence!
Congratulations!
I have no clue how to knit lol. I always wanted to learn! I just bought a crochet kit for my daughter so I guess we are going to learn crocheting together!
I’ve knitted a little hooded cardigan for my grandchildren, and the moms just love it. I had one for my children when they were little, and it’s very easy to put on and stays on! The pattern is free on Ravelry.
No buttons to struggle with. 🙂
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Anne226/easy-baby-cardigan-2
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/easy-baby-cardigan
Another favorite is the Aviatrix baby hat, also a free pattern on Rav. It stays on and covers the ears.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat
These are two of my favorites for babies and toddlers because they are easy to put on, stay on, and easy and quick to knit. 🙂
Congratulations!
I love your planning and can’t believe you knit as much as you do with all the children around. Well, it helps that they love to knit, too.
Don’t make too big plans though.
Can’t wait so see your choices and finally the woolly baby… :o)
Love.
Oh knitting for babies, so fun! I wish I was a knitter when mine were small 🙁
This caught my eye, please go look! I love this yarn so much!
http://petitepurls.com/basics/b_sleeper.html
This: http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/2011/10/baby-sophisticate.html
and these shoes: http://nevernotknitting.blogspot.com/2011/10/tiniest-baby-shoes.html
Love, love, love.
Wishing you much joy and happiness 🙂
congratulations! how exciting. you must make the puerperium. it was a lovely knit – so quick and definitely wonderful to put on a newborn baby. yes on the milo and i would have to add the lyalya hoodie. that is such a wonderful little hat. i hope you have a wonderful pregnancy. best wishes.
I want to belatedly add my warmest wishes and prayers for the new baby, and of course your entire family! I just adore reading your blog and I will be so delighted as you share about the new baby coming, and of course the knitting! The Small Things Romper is wonderful to knit, but I think you know that since you’ve made the cardigan. I made one for a newborn in Tosh Vintage in the colorway Cove and it was completely adorable if I do say so myself! http://www.ravelry.com/projects/trista23/small-things-romper–sweater Here’s mine, but I am not a very talented photographer like you are, so bear that in mind. That’s also why so many of my projects don’t have pictures! I like the little diaper bottom increases in the small things romper pattern, and I think you use cloth diapers so you will likely appreciate that too.
Congratulations! I love this sweater for both a girl & boy
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-boy-5-hour-sweater
& this romper
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/reids-romper
& this one (the sweater is so cute)
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gift-wrap-romper–sweater
& this blanket
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/hansel-4
Congratulations! God is so good.It is so inspiring to see you and your family. I too am a homeschooling mom of 5 children and a niece. We live in a small 1400 sq ft home I am always making excuses not to start any new sewing crocheting or art projects because our home is just to small. Thank you for inspiring me to just do it and enjoy the little things. God Bless.
I admit my first thought when seeing you were expecting was, “HOORAY BABY KNITS!” I’m so glad you posted about this, because I am expecting my third in late July. It’s late enough in the summer and also cool enough here in Oregon that I am planning lots of knits! I’m ArielleJ on Ravelry if you want to see the progress. I look at your Ravelry page ALL the time for children’s knit inspiration, so thank you so much for posting the details for all your projects!
I am just getting started on baby knits (not much time left!) because I was knitting a Pascha sweater for my daughter and am working on finishing a Waldorf doll for her birthday next week. But I’m partway through the Shale Baby Blanket (Jared Flood), and have plans for a Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap, a Little Turtle Knits Pilot Cap (my seventh!), a sweater – probably one of the Carina Spencer ones, probably also the baby kimono pattern, lots of Stay-On Baby Booties and maybe some socks, a couple soakers, shorties, and eventually longies (might wait until baby is born), newborn mitts, and who knows what else. Luckily baby things knit up fast (other than that blanket, which is going to take foreeeeever).
Do you find out gender? We don’t, and I find the only thing that is frustrating about it is knitting! I’ve put so much thought into how to make things gender neutral without it being pale yellow and green, which are not my favorites. I’m making the blanket in light gray, and think I’ll make the other stuff in natural colors (brown, cream), rich reds, more grays, with a little blue mixed in (I’ve always preferred my daughter in light blue anyway). I have a Cascade leftover from her that will go to the baby too, which I think is a great gender-neutral knit and I know you’ve knit it too. If I knew I was having a girl, I probably wouldn’t knit in pink or anything, but might at least choose more feminine patterns.
For a fall girl, I can’t say enough how much I love “In Threes.” I never expected it to be so useful, but my daughter wore hers nearly every day (still does, at two. It is way too small!) It’s a perfect, cute layer over long sleeves, and the cap sleeves mean she doesn’t drag her sleeves in her food and get it dirty. I plan on making many more! I skip the garter on the sides. For a toddler girl, I love combining Swing Thing with a LTK Pilot Cap – pretty little dress coat and bonnet, and so warm.
BTW, Congratulations on your new little one to come! I’ve been following your lovely blog for some time now. It inspires me every day. We have five kids, and my favorite thing to pass the time in anticipation of all of them coming has been my knitting. I love the Norweigan GroCap on Ravelry. It is better than a newborn hat, which they never seem to fit anyway. I love the stay-on baby booties – which are knit in the round (no sewing!!!) and actually stay on. The 5 -hour baby sweater is another favorite for us, and knits up quickly. Baby projects are the best. Love Debbie Bliss’s baby ribbed jacket (free pattern). My many baby projects are on Ravelry, find me at NancyRiendeau.
Congratulations! Blessings to your family.
Congratulations dear Ginny, what a blessing! This is a great post; I have been thinking and thinking about a list like this, and what better way than to follow the advice of your readers? I will have to come back over the weekend and make notes. I have done 2 puerperiums, they are very easy and very satisfying to knit. The buttons are not an issue, it is remembering to slip the first stitch purlwise. Every time. Good luck with that 🙂
Emma
I love love love the pilot caps for new babes. I have knit this one a few times: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/b16-5-pointed-bonnet-in-stockinette-st-in-merino-extra-fine but I think I like this one better, as I don’t have to sew any seams: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lil-midi-bean. Plus, this baby kimono is adorable: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/mrs-braks-dawstring-bottom-baby-kimono-with-raglan-shaping, especially Alicia Paulson’s vanilla sugar: http://www.ravelry.com/projects/AliciaPaulson/mrs-braks-dawstring-bottom-baby-kimono-with-raglan-shaping. Good luck! I can’t wait to see what you make!
I wasn’t able to read all of your comments but didn’t want you to miss this romper:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/rhino-romper.
Made one in 6 month for my little one and he wore it this morning. LOVE this pattern.
I also made that hard name cardigan for my newborn and loved it so much I bought the larger pattern and have now knit 4 of them. The Milo in newborn is my go to gift!
My knitting partner just finished up a baby vertebrae for her niece and it came out beautifully. I also think that since this baby is being born in the fall, why don’t you knit one of the bag like things that is for swaddling. I can’t remember what it is called, but I know that there is a baby snowsuit type thing that is similar for the very cold weather. Beautiful pictures like always. Again, so happy for you and thanks for sharing where the dresses came from. I thought that Larkspur’s dress might have been a LandsEnd one. They have the best dresses for girls.
Congratulations on the wonderful news!! I am expecting our second little one in September, so I love reading through all the suggestions you got so far.
The one cardigan that my little one wore all the time (April baby) was the Demne cardigan ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/demne ). And I made a ton of the Ribbed Socks for Kids ( http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ribbed-socks-for-kids ) but I adapted the pattern for newborn size. These socks really do stay up and my little one didn’t lose them ever! (Just email me if you would like my adaption to newborn size.)
God bless,
Sarah
so very very excited for you and jonny and family! i’m into ‘grandma’ knitting—and some of my favorite knits to give….and which are always well received—are the stay-on baby booties (that really do stay on!) and the kanoko pants (longies)—very very cute!!! I knit one of my daughter’s children the puerperium—and now that’s the knit she always makes for her friends’ newborns….good choice!!!!
Congratulations!! We received an unexpected blessing last summer and I made her the vertebrae cardigan. I highly recommend it. It’s a quick knit and so perfect for that skin to skin snuggling. I also made a couple of the puerperium and really liked them. Lots of buttons, but so easy to get on and off. Babies in hand knits – I may have to stop reading your blog in about 6 months, so I don’t end up with another unexpected blessing 😉
Congratulations on your new little babe! I am so happy for you. When my boys were little, I loved the handknit cardigans that were on the large side. You could roll up the sleeves, and the length would keep their whole bodies warm, and then they could wear it the next year as a regular sweater. I’d also caution to make the sleeves wide enough, as many patterns have slim arms and babies tend to have fat arms, at least mine did. I hate for them to outgrow something for that reason alone. Have fun! There are so many delicious yarns available now, and maybe its just me, but I don’t stick to superwash. I have more of the Elizabeth Zimmerman mindset, and just launder the handwash with a quick dunk in the sink, and lay to dry. Not too big of a deal, but I’m old fashioned.
Jennifer
Enjoy all that knitting- I need to start on knitting for a new grandchild due in October. Happy days.
Ginny, congrats and blessings on your expectations. My favorite baby pattern right now is the Pebble vest, modified to be knit in the round without buttons. My babe wears his nearly all the time–morning and night! Here are my modification notes:
http://www.ravelry.com/projects/SunnyChicken/pebble-henrys-manly-cobblestone-inspired-baby-vest-2
I second the Pebble!
I just saw these tiny pants on Anna Maria Horner’s blog and I am dying to knit a pair. They’re SO tiny!
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/tiny-pants
I had a January 2012 baby and the two sweaters in rotation constantly were the Five Hour Baby Sweater and Harvey’s Kimono. I knit the Norwegian Sweet Baby Hat for this winter, best hat pattern ever! Oh, and the Little Coffee Bean sweater is awesome. Enjoy!
I was telling a friend yesterday about your blog and how I was so excited about your news and I don’t even know you! She felt the same. I made 2 of those baby cardigans last month and have 2 more on the needles. There was a recent KAL on Ravelry. You’ll have to check out some of the creative things folks did with the pattern. God bless you, your family and your new baby.
Congratulations:o)
My kids lived in something similar to this when they were little.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ruths-babytop
I love knitting for babies and have a very easy low sock toe up pattern… that I love to make and give as baby gifts. If you are interested in taking a look at it please let me know. Excited to read about the new baby and look forward to all that is ahead for all of you. Thank you for sharing your world with us… it is a gift.
I knit these overalls in Cascade 220 for my son as a newborn and loved them :
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/on-the-go-veralls
This cute little cozy is definitely on my list for my arrival due in October:
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snug-9
My knitting journey is just like yours. I didn’t become an avid knitting till my daughter was 1. Now, I am expecting our second daughter in August, and my list is long! Also, I’m in a regular knitting group, and it sounds like many handknits will be headed my way this fall. What a lucky baby, dressed all in handknits!
My list:
-I am working on Jared Flood’s Shale blanket for her.
-Made Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Surplice Jacket (not Surprise – has a crossover front)
-Will make EZ’s February Sweater and matching bonnet
-EZ’s longies pattern for both pants and diaper covers.
I hope these will get us through the winter in our drafty, century home!
For the spring, Milos for both my girls, or Paulette: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/paulette
Congratulations! Enjoy the planning!
What do I recommend?…….machine wash yarn! Loved the post today with all the sweet patterns and story.
Best,
Sheila
For all my babies (thus far) I become just a wee bit obsessed knitting the ‘scrappy top knot caps’ from Susan B Anderson’s Itty Bitty Hats: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/cotton-stria-stripes. I just love using small amounts of different colored fibers and they whip up so quick. Your little girl knitting so intently reminds me of my sweet ten-year-old and her knitting adventures which she starts & stops so frequently.
I have a fab pattern for your little Beatrice to look at to make for the baby. I have my own patterns for these but this one is all written down and ready to go
http://simplehomemade.net/simple-knitted-toys-rooster-hen-and-chicks/
Make that Beatrix!
Love this sweet pattern! Thank you for sharing it, gentlestitches! I will be giving it to my ten-year-old daughter for some weekend knitting! She loves all her hens as valued family members and has made chickens like this out of woven potholders….but knit chickens would be much softer & cuter. 🙂
Thank you Ruby. There are so many Animals and Toys that can be made with a square. I would love to be notified if your daughter makes a chicken. I love Chooks (chickens) too. 🙂
OH – and SO excited you are working on a larger size for your sweater!
what about a kicking bag?
My mum always knits socks and hats and little sweaters for my cousins’ babies. If you have the time and feel like something lacy and super special, my grandmother knitted my christening shawl and my brother’s christening gown (it was cooler when he was born so he got a gown, I got a dress and fancy swaddling shawl for the Texas summer).
I don’t have any patterns to recommend, I think my mum has memorized her favorites and the rest are all from vintage knitting magazines.
Ginny,
This post makes me really excited to knit! 🙂
I love seeing the patterns you are planning on making. I made Bracken a little Milo and it’s a favorite, he always wants to wear it.
I’m still a pretty new knitter in the world of patterns, otherwise I’d share some links. 🙂
Happy Knitting.
Love,
Taryn
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zip-up-a-baby-sweater this zip up the back baby sweater is a family favorite, my grandmother made them for all her grandchildren. I have made 3 so far and we love them for keeping little ones ears covered, and since it zips in the back it is very easy to get on and off. Congrats on your wonderful news, I draw so much inspiration from your blog.
Little L’s small things romper is my absolute favorite newborn knit, hands down! So warm and cozy.
http://ravel.me/FrontierDreams/strs
Oh how I want to be knitting baby things again!! Patience is a virtue…right? XOXO
I made a Puerperium Cardigan for my youngest while I waited for him to arrive. It was sweet and the buttons never really bothered me. I think the best little cardigan pattern I made though was the plain cardigan from Pickles. I knitted two while feeding in those early months and I used them all the time. http://www.pickles.no/plain-cardigan/ . We also loved the pebbles vest just because it is so easy to put on! And socks are so good, especially if you have a good pattern that just stays on (not all of them do!). We are about to head into another winter here in NZ and I am gearing up for the second winter of knitting for this now one year old. There are so many choices and often not enough time! Good luck with the knitting and congratulations 🙂 What a blessing 🙂
My recent go-to baby project has been Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Baby Surprise Jacket. Simple knitting, practical cardigan, great way to use up random bits of yarn because it looks great with stripes. http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baby-surprise-jacket