Current Projects - Knitting for Baby

I mentioned I am trying to overhaul my craft room. With a baby on the way my creative side has needed an outlet. I used to knit or craft all the time.

My quiet and creative "down-time" turned into time spent with my kids, changing diapers or nursing. But I have really missed it. Over the next year I am sure I will have many projects to share with you, but my first love is knitting and yarn.

I first learned how to knit from a babysitter when I was in 1st grade. She gave me my first set of plastic needles and a skein of pale yellow thread. I remember knitting to my heart's content. I knitted doll blankets, scarves and well, just knitted. I took my kit everywhere with me and fell in love with the clack of the needles.

As an adult I tried to pick it back up. I am pretty rusty and have several books to remind me of simple things like cast-on methods and abbreviations. Though I made some hats, mittens and booties for my first child, I haven't really picked up the needles for several years. I have really missed it.

So I dusted off a few favorite baby pattern books and chose my first project.

I am going to start with an swatch sampler blanket in a rainbow of colors out of The Expectant Knitter by Marie Connolly. I am knitting with a soft Merino yarn that is also a lot of fun to work with. The sampler will help me regulate my tension and just practice different patterns. Boy, I started out knitting tight this morning! As my first green swatch knitted up, I relaxed and became more consistent.

Isn't this an adorable blanket? We still don't know the gender (we will in Feb.!) so I am doing some bold and bright gender-neutral colors. I already love it.

Another great knitting book I recommend is Natural Knits for Babies and Moms by Louisa Harding.

I made several projects out of this book for my son including the striped hats, mittens and booties. I also made one for my new nephew last year out of the same brown and off-white pictured.

All knitted on straight needles, it is easy for a beginner to knit up. I have done some double pointed and circular needle work in the past but I am really out of practice. I am pretty sure I am going to have to reteach myself how to do those again.

I am doing all my projects for baby #3 in natural fibers and even want to try out some super soft bamboo that I picked up. Baby projects are a great intro into wool and natural blends because the projects knit up fast and the materials are not as expensive as for a full adult sweater, etc.

Next week I hope to have a project update for you and a peak at my sampler squares.

What are you making this week?