Flint Knits

I haven’t knit for babies, but just tonight while doing a Ravelry search for Rowan Wool/Cotton, I came across Buster: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buster
It made me wish I had a baby to knit for. One knitter took the stars out and put Pac Man and Blinkie there instead! So cool.

First, it must be the week for froggie hats. I posted one too!

Since my sister is pregnant, I’ve been very into baby knits. I found the Presto-Chango sweater to be both quick and functional. It buttons up both sides and allows easy access to the baby. Also, it’s knit in organic cotton (great for baby) and it’s worsted weight. Hope this helps!

I also have no babies, but the closest thing I’m going to get to a niece is arriving soon and I think I’m going to knit Elinor’s seed stitch jacket. It definitely qualifies as functional (hoods are so handy with babies, I’m told), though it does have a few buttons and won’t be SUPER fast to knit, unless we’re comparing to adult sweaters. So yeah, that’s my not particularly useful input.

But! There are always hats. Both Shedir and Shining Star scale down easily and are super pretty.

Argh! Darn that enter key.

http://www.knittingpureandsimple.com/babycardi.html

This was a nice, fast knit.

Here are a couple that are at the top of my to-knit list:

http://fpea.blogspot.com/2007/01/free-pattern-friday-mossy-jacket.html

People seem to appreciate cardigans b/c they’re a lot easier to put on the little one.

Ditto the Presto Chango!

There is a nice cabled sweater pattern in Natural Knits for Babies, stripy baby hats in DB Baby Cashmerino, Essential Baby has a lovely soaker pattern in it with a picot edging which looks lovely, Mason & Dixon knitted bibs look good too. I hope this helps you a bit. Any more questions just email me.

I like the angora baby booties from last minute knitted gifts. So cute and fast!

This probably won’t surprise you, but - the baby bib from Mason-Dixon Knitting. Fast fast fast, not expensive (kitchen cotton), makes a useful and absorbent bib (bibs from the store do not absorb), machine washable, and people will actually use them (instead of treating the knitted item like a priceless heirloom that must not be sullied). A three-pack usually does the trick, although I did make a dozen for my niece.

What cute baby gifts!!! I would say that in terms of use, a hooded sweater of some kind is ideal. Once babies learn to rip hats off, hats w/o ties will never stay on for long. So yeah, hoods.

There’s a very plain (hoodless) baby cardi from Debbie Bliss’ Baby Knits Book that I’ve made a lot. I’ve actually had requests for the next size up when the kid outgrows it. It’s a dull knit but super fast.

That froggie hat is still killing me. GAH that’s cute. I’ll second the Placket-neck sweater from LMKG–quick, easy, adorable, and unisex.

God, that hat and bonnet. Unbelievable.

As someone who was a new parent within recent memory, my wishlist for a handknit item would be:

1. Machine washable. There are so many stunning yarns available these days that are. It’s not EZ’s era anymore.

2. Hats are great, as babies are always cold. Booties are cute and easy to put on, though babies do have a tendency to get them off. Blankets are always, always appreciated.

3. For sweaters, unless it’s a placket neck with buttons, I swear by cardigans. They’re tons easier to put on and seem to have more longevity. Debbie Bliss has a couple of longer-length cardigans are those are great because they start out as long coats (before the kiddo can move), and end up as little waist coats when the child is starting to walk. Typically the arms on such things are so huge they still fit.

4. Knit up in something lighter than worsted weight. All of that bulk around a little one (*really* little, this isn’t necessarily true for toddlers) can really irritate them, in my experience.

You’re already off to a great start!

I’m de-lurking as well…I’ve been reading your blog for a couple of weeks and am impressed by your skills! About your baby question…I have a 5 month old son and my favorite book to knit from for him is “Natural Knits for Babies and Moms” by Louisa Harding. The patterns are simple, yet sophisticated, and always cute. Also, if the parents are planning on using cloth-diapers there are many patterns out there (I especially like Little Turtle Knits) for wool diaper covers. Good luck!

Baby Kimonos from Mason Dixon knitting. Fast. Super easy. And really cute!

I recently posted a photo on flickr of my favorite baby pattern. Made with worsted weight yarn, it’s quick and the opening makes for easy on and off. My son wore a sweater like this and I have made many as gifts and have always gotten good feedback.

Another option is a pinwheel blanket. It’s always nice to have a few blankets.

i will so be watching this one! i’m not an accomplished knitter like you (the googly eyes! genius) but *maybe* I can manage to one very simple, speedy project before March

love the projects - very cute (but not in a sugary type of way).

My favorite (other than quilts - which is my standard baby gift) is Debbie Bliss’s Garter Stitch Bootee, but adapting it to an animal shape. It has become a tiger and a pair of rabbits so far…I have thoughts for a hippo too.

(AND they are QUICK!)

I don’t have any suggestions (the one and only thing I knit for a baby took me months!), but I wanted to drop you a note to say you have a very nice blog filled with lots of talent and I will surely come back often to admire all your nice projects (and find some ideas!) Thanks!

I love the better than booties free pamphlet from Interweave Knits, there are some very cute baby socks in there and quite wearable (I’ve tested the ruffle rib and mock cable ones on actual newborn babies).

the elizabeth zimmerman “february” sweater is great - and you can omit the lace and go with a stockinette or garter version if you’re worried about time. friends with kids have given it a thumbs up for usefulness. i second the mason dixon bib also - speedy to knit, useful and washable.

I rarely, if ever, knit baby clothes, but the 5 hour top down sweater and the baby surprise are things I have made in the past. Those green/black eyes are totally mesmerizing on that hat!

I have to chime in with praise for EZ’s February baby sweater, too. I don’t have much time to knit anymore, but I managed to finish that sucker in a week when I had to. It looks great and you can knit the sleeves in the round for zero seaming. The baby surprise is also quick and might be better suited for fast, since it’s straight garter stitch. Both look great with variegated and solid yarns.

It’s baby season around here too and I’ve just realised how satisfying baby knits are. Quick and… satisfying. [I let out a little squeal when your page came up and I saw the cute little sockies and hat!]
Btw, you’re going to KILL me, but would you please email that link with the gloss colours. Pleeeeease. x

For a sweater, the Kai Cable Pullover from Natural Knits for Babies and Moms. Worsted weight, super quick, totally adorable (in my opinion).

For a non-sweater, I can’t top your froggy bonnet. Too freakin’ cute.

That frog hat is the most ridiculously cute thing I’ve seen in a while. Thanks for posting the instructions, I think I’ll be knitting one of these this fall!

Hah! Yes, I like knitting the baby sock, as it is quick to knit and uber functional (there is no way they are getting kicked off). But as a mom and a knitter, I would think that hats would fit the billing when. Any hat. Hats that could be worn with many snazzy outfits our even better. Or you could just sew a baby blanket, Pam. Keyword there is blanket, not quilt. You know, just saying.

Hats and cardigans. Anything that has longevity is especially nice so a wrap style cardigan is especially good.