The FastDay Forum

I am planning to make a baby blanket in a wavy pattern for my brother and his wife. They got married in September last year, but have been trying for a baby for a few years

They have had IVF and thank God it has worked, baby due early winter. As she's three months gone now it's time to start making things!

Question is, should I make the blanket in pastel colours or coordinating brights? And should I go for cotton, acrylic or a soft wool blend like cashmerino? I don't want to ask them as it will spoil the surprise.

[janeg]

It depends on what you want and your experience. As an ex resident of Shetland and avid knitter , I would be going for an heirloom type of shawl in cream in the fine cashmerino wool, the ones one enough to draw through a wedding ring!
Don't knwonifthat helps though" it's a lovely thought .

I crocheted blankets for both of my grandgirls. I like the extra soft yarns that they could snuggle up with. I did one bright white and one cream. Both were trimmed in pink ribbons. (Yes, they are my reward for surviving raising three sons!)

I'm sure whatever you decide will be beautiful and much appreciated.

I've been knitting for years and taught myself to crochet last year, but I'm not so experienced at that! I found a nice wavy pattern which is similar to one I saw in a posh baby boutique - that was crocheted in cotton and was £60 for a pram size! They are a trendy couple, not really traditional, but I like the idea of a larger fine wool blanket, as it can be doubled when it's really cold.

Thanks!

[janeg]

What a price for a pram blanket! A lovely hand made one will be so much nicer, and you can make it funky with ribbons , and stuff.

I don't know if you use Facebook, but if you search for Mummy Made It you will see the most beautiful baby blankets in really unusual colour combinations. You could get some ideas from there. Let us know how you get on

Its all about individual taste for the colour isn't it? As for the yarn, I'm not fond of cotton but I have used the Debbie Bliss cashmerino and it was beautiful. The real wool yarns are expoensive though. The other factor is whether your SIL is a 'bung everything in the washer' gal! if so I would be looking at a nice soft acrylic.

I crochet for a charity supplying bereavement midwives with tiny garments and blankets so I need very soft yarns but I have to factor in cost as I'm never without something on my hooks. There are some nice acrylics that are very cuddly and will withstand a cool machine wash especially if she pops it into a pillowcase to stop it tangling up and pulling.

I'm a knitter too! I find it incredibly relaxing unless I get to a bit of a pattern that I don't understand!
I would do one of each, a pastel soft one for when baby is very new and then a more funky one when baby is not so new!
Enjoy the making. X

I love to crochet, and I think this is a lovely idea. Check out Attic 24!

Here are some links which might help:

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/neat- ... ttern.html

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/granny-stripe.html

http://attic24.typepad.com/weblog/granny-b.html

Hope this inspires you x

Thanks so much for those links imcountingufoz, I have tried crocheting before but not with any success! I'm going to give it another go as those patterns look fabulous! I'm afraid I'm not very computer literate yet (I'm on an iPad) and trying to get to grips with it all! Do you have to pay to follow a blog? Toni x

I have done several baby blankets for friends. I like to use a natural color, and something that mom can throw in the washer and dryer. My current favorite (if you can get it there, is...http://www.berroco.com/yarns/berroco-remix
in birch (it is a creamier shade than the what it looks like in the photo-at least on my computer). It has a wonderful hand feel and is easy to knit with. I also have washed and dried the blankets I made and it gets softer with the wash. Very nice. Have fun!

I love to crochet, and I think this is a lovely idea.

Yes! I had already found Lucy's blog, and that's where I saw the stripy blanket. I did a practice 'wave' this morning with some leftover wool to try it out. It's pretty easy, even for me! Mostly trebles which I can manage. I think I have got the decreasing right now.

That's true about the 'bung it all in the machine' part. These things get a lot if sick (and worse!) on them, and my SIL is not the most domesticated person. Will have to think carefully about yarn type, which means a trip to hobbycraft for a 'feel'

I'm just learning to crochet at the mo - making a granny blanket for my cousin's baby. Definitely a 'made with love' rather than professional piece but it's my first big thing so am immensely proud of it. I've just used cheap wool and not used baby colours - blue, green, oatmeal and cream with a chocolatey brown edging. I want it to last beyond the baby phase, hopefully as a bed cover.

Will be taking a look at the blogs etc suggested - am just getting to grips with ravelry to find some free patterns for things to try.

Have to say as well - crocheting helps me to forget about food - it's so addictive I can't stop to go and eat!

My crocheting is very basic. I stuck to white for the first grandchild and then did pastels for the others.

Thanks for those links. I'm going to pass them on to a friend who lives in Spain and who is trying her hand at crochet. Lots of nice detail and written in UK terms too! Sometimes its so difficult to explain a technique in an email and I can't exactly pop round for a coffee and show her myself!