Free…time? What is this free time thingy and how do I use it?
Somehow I have found myself between freelance jobs (in a good way), without too much work for school, and without writing or revising to do because I’m waiting for feedback from my readers. This means that beginning yesterday and stretching out until next week, I’m working three days a week at my in-house gig, two evenings of class, and nothing else. Which means free time. Actual free time in the evenings. I haven’t had this in ages and it feels like getting away with something.
Last night Billy and I watched The Wire on dvd and I worked on a baby sweater for the soon-to-be firstborn of my friend Rebecca. We don’t have cable and neither of us watch network tv at all–the three stations we can get reception on, that is. We turned the tv on for the debates and the olympics and that’s pretty much been it. We do, however, like to watch a few cable shows on dvd. Specifically Six Feet Under, Dead Like Me, The Sopranos, and now The Wire. We’re one disc away from finishing the first season (thank you, NetFlix!) and we both love it.
The baby sweater is almost done. I’ll finish it after class tonight (because I won’t have to edit!) and will post photos tomorrow. Unless you want to be surprised, Rebecca? Speak now or have the surprise blown tomorrow.
I have a ton of baby knitting to do right now, as everyone has either just had a baby or is due to have one soon. Which means I’m looking around for options. What’s your favorite baby gift to knit? What have you made for babies before that you wouldn’t make again?
My favorite baby gift to knit is baby blankets, for a number of reasons. The first is that they’re small enough that I get to try out pretty, new (to me) patterns, yet don’t have to make a full sized afghan. Plus, and perhaps even better, they’re usable for a lot longer than a sweater or booties or a hat, especially if you make them toddler sized instead of baby sized.
Posted by: Jenipurr
Yeeaaaa, free time! Its a good thing! I use it quite a bit! Enjoy it!!
My friend, who is due to have her 2nd baby in June, said not to make blankets, because everyone gives blankets. But I like to make blankets so I don’t know. That’s all I know about baby knitting.
Posted by: amy
Bootees. I’ve made a couple of baby blankets using my very own Baby Heart Blankie pattern (google, its kind of amazing this is still around).
But, honestly. I know nothing of babies or whether these items are at all useful.
Posted by: claudia
Yay for free time! It’s been a little airier for me this week too (thanks to client away at conference, LOVE that) and I actually get to do things like bathe the dog, shop for groceries, go to the gym.
I second the baby blankets. They can use it for years rather than months, there’s no size issue, and you can make it up as you go along it you like.
Posted by: jackie
I just made the cardigan from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. Was very simple.
And one great thing about baby gifts is that they use such small quantities of yarn you can usually splurge on some yummy stuff 🙂
Posted by: Lisa
My favorite baby gift to knit is baby blankets, for a number of reasons. The first is that they’re small enough that I get to try out pretty, new (to me) patterns, yet don’t have to make a full sized afghan. Plus, and perhaps even better, they’re usable for a lot longer than a sweater or booties or a hat, especially if you make them toddler sized instead of baby sized.
Posted by: Jenipurr
Yeeaaaa, free time! Its a good thing! I use it quite a bit! Enjoy it!!
My friend, who is due to have her 2nd baby in June, said not to make blankets, because everyone gives blankets. But I like to make blankets so I don’t know. That’s all I know about baby knitting.
Posted by: amy
Bootees. I’ve made a couple of baby blankets using my very own Baby Heart Blankie pattern (google, its kind of amazing this is still around).
But, honestly. I know nothing of babies or whether these items are at all useful.
Posted by: claudia
Yay for free time! It’s been a little airier for me this week too (thanks to client away at conference, LOVE that) and I actually get to do things like bathe the dog, shop for groceries, go to the gym.
I second the baby blankets. They can use it for years rather than months, there’s no size issue, and you can make it up as you go along it you like.
Posted by: jackie
I just made the cardigan from the Last Minute Knitted Gifts book. Was very simple.
And one great thing about baby gifts is that they use such small quantities of yarn you can usually splurge on some yummy stuff 🙂
Posted by: Lisa
are you kidding? i can’t wait to see it!!!
I’m in the annoying ‘too big and uncomfortable to get anything done, so just waiting around to go into labor’ stage. Matt actually suggested I try knitting, so I had to tell him about my confession to you that despite being relatively confident in my own abilities to read and follow your directions, I was totally unable to cast on. He laughed. In part, because I think he just can’t ever imagine me knitting. One of these days (after some serious Cari tutoring) I’ll suprise him!
Posted by: rebecca
I’ve made hats, cardis and bootees. I’m also in the Baby Vortex right now. I think I’m the only one left who doesn’t have a baby! Anyway, whatever you choose will be loved. Hats are fun, ’cause you can make some really whimsical or lux hats without a lot of yarn or time, but then, some babies refuse to wear them. I’m making some booties right now that will stay put (they have a tie); google seamless circular baby booties for a free pattern.
Posted by: Karma
I just finished the first two seasons of The Wire too. That was some good knitting TV. Can’t wait for the third season to come out.
Posted by: Jessica
I love everything in Erika Knight’s “Simple Knits for Cherished Babies”. Easy stuff and it all turns out beautifully. I hate knitting with acrylic, especially on tiny baby-sized needles, so I usually try to find some washable, soft baby wool or a cotton/wool mix that’s washable.
Posted by: LeAnne
I’m a big fan of Tasia’s Cardigan, a Cabin Fever pattern. It’s a top-down raglan with YO eyelet increases, knit all in one piece, and it takes no time to finish.
From personal experience, the knitted item that Martin used more than anything was a great pair of felted booties that we would just pop over all his socks. A friend made them – she gave me the pattern, if you’re interested.
There are also some very cute bootie/sock pattern PDFs that were recently added to the Interweave website.
Posted by: mindy
are you kidding? i can’t wait to see it!!!
I’m in the annoying ‘too big and uncomfortable to get anything done, so just waiting around to go into labor’ stage. Matt actually suggested I try knitting, so I had to tell him about my confession to you that despite being relatively confident in my own abilities to read and follow your directions, I was totally unable to cast on. He laughed. In part, because I think he just can’t ever imagine me knitting. One of these days (after some serious Cari tutoring) I’ll suprise him!
Posted by: rebecca
I’ve made hats, cardis and bootees. I’m also in the Baby Vortex right now. I think I’m the only one left who doesn’t have a baby! Anyway, whatever you choose will be loved. Hats are fun, ’cause you can make some really whimsical or lux hats without a lot of yarn or time, but then, some babies refuse to wear them. I’m making some booties right now that will stay put (they have a tie); google seamless circular baby booties for a free pattern.
Posted by: Karma
I just finished the first two seasons of The Wire too. That was some good knitting TV. Can’t wait for the third season to come out.
Posted by: Jessica
I love everything in Erika Knight’s “Simple Knits for Cherished Babies”. Easy stuff and it all turns out beautifully. I hate knitting with acrylic, especially on tiny baby-sized needles, so I usually try to find some washable, soft baby wool or a cotton/wool mix that’s washable.
Posted by: LeAnne
I’m a big fan of Tasia’s Cardigan, a Cabin Fever pattern. It’s a top-down raglan with YO eyelet increases, knit all in one piece, and it takes no time to finish.
From personal experience, the knitted item that Martin used more than anything was a great pair of felted booties that we would just pop over all his socks. A friend made them – she gave me the pattern, if you’re interested.
There are also some very cute bootie/sock pattern PDFs that were recently added to the Interweave website.
Posted by: mindy
My son still uses his blanket (my first project) I knit for him. We lost the scarf and he outgrew the hat. So try a blankie! 🙂 Doesn’t Alison’s (the blue blog) boys still use theirs?
Posted by: Liz
Although I received a million blankets when I had my baby, they’re still nice and useful for years.
For a smaller project, I recommend these little felted balls from Falick’s “Knitting for Baby.” They’re a fun toy, a very quick knit, a great way to try a little felting, and babies can’t possibly injure themselves with them. Some pics here:
http://psso.blogspot.com/2005_02_01_psso_archive.html (scroll down). The blocks were also well-received, but they’re a little more involved (requires seaming, and acquiring and cutting foam).
If you go the clothing route, try to account for the fact that many babies hate to have anything tight pulled over their heads. So things with buttons at the collar are good.
Posted by: Frith
I enjoy making crocheted teddy bears. They’re unique, well loved, and take a lot longer to grow out of. 😉 Plus, they’re more interesting to make than an afghan.
Posted by: Andrea
You may not be too familiar with it, but I bet you’ll have no problem filling it up with something (or nothing). Enjoy it while it lasts 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
Favorite baby knit: baby socks
A lot of the people I knit the baby socks for have used them as a sort of over sock. They will put the regular old white socks on and then put the hand knit over them. Keeps the feets warm, and cute.
Second favorite baby knit: devil or kitty baby hat from kittyville
Posted by: Jenn
You know what would be cool? Using up leftover yarn to make a mobile. Get all freeform and abstract with shapes, maybe felt them, and then wrap yarn around the wire that hangs it all together.
Posted by: Em
My son still uses his blanket (my first project) I knit for him. We lost the scarf and he outgrew the hat. So try a blankie! 🙂 Doesn’t Alison’s (the blue blog) boys still use theirs?
Posted by: Liz
Although I received a million blankets when I had my baby, they’re still nice and useful for years.
For a smaller project, I recommend these little felted balls from Falick’s “Knitting for Baby.” They’re a fun toy, a very quick knit, a great way to try a little felting, and babies can’t possibly injure themselves with them. Some pics here:
http://psso.blogspot.com/2005_02_01_psso_archive.html (scroll down). The blocks were also well-received, but they’re a little more involved (requires seaming, and acquiring and cutting foam).
If you go the clothing route, try to account for the fact that many babies hate to have anything tight pulled over their heads. So things with buttons at the collar are good.
Posted by: Frith
I enjoy making crocheted teddy bears. They’re unique, well loved, and take a lot longer to grow out of. 😉 Plus, they’re more interesting to make than an afghan.
Posted by: Andrea
You may not be too familiar with it, but I bet you’ll have no problem filling it up with something (or nothing). Enjoy it while it lasts 🙂
Posted by: Vicki
Favorite baby knit: baby socks
A lot of the people I knit the baby socks for have used them as a sort of over sock. They will put the regular old white socks on and then put the hand knit over them. Keeps the feets warm, and cute.
Second favorite baby knit: devil or kitty baby hat from kittyville
Posted by: Jenn
You know what would be cool? Using up leftover yarn to make a mobile. Get all freeform and abstract with shapes, maybe felt them, and then wrap yarn around the wire that hangs it all together.
Posted by: Em
I was so upset when dead like me got dropped. Last I knew they were still shopping it around and the wb was interested but nothing seems to have come of that. Its the curse of the good tv show, they always get cancelled.
Posted by: TheBon
Where I’m from (Aust), baby blankets are rare presents, probably because of the heat. I love whipping up little socks in DK. Cast on 28 stitches or a few extra for overcooked babies. About half an hour for a pair. They stay on and you don’t have to rethread in the ribbons or ties usually found on booties.
Silly baby hats, jester-style, or little felted bunnies such as the mysterious creatures that were running around Alison’s house a few weeks ago have been recent gifts for babies.
I’m knitting all the time for my 5’monther, he just keeps growing like a weed, but it does mean I get to continually try out different patterns and yarns without over committing myself to an adult version! I like that.
Posted by: jen
My current project is a baby blankie that I will only ever knit once. Too much intarsia to ever want to do this more than once. Hoo boy!
Posted by: Jon
Oat Couture has some cute baby patterns and they don’t take a ton of finishing. The lacy tshirt has gone over nicely.
Posted by: Ellen
Faves: Crib size blankets in cashmere or alpaca – the size means you can throw it in the stroller as well, and then be used as a blankie later. Melanie Falik – pretty much anything from the book Knitting For Baby. Erika Knight’s Kimono Wrap Top – always looks beautiful, you can make it boy or girl depending on whether your use a ribbon tie or add buttons, and because it’s a wrap top it has some stretch and give and will last a little longer. And it’s quick and takes hardly any wool.
Loved the felted mobile idea, you could really make something amazing with that (brains ticking away already).
What I would love to make, or have people make for me: Blankets. I only received one when Max was born, as most people assumed I’d have them already, and we used a lot of them for throwing in the pram, lying him down with on seats and floors etc. Toys – something very loving about a toy which is handcrafted in a world of mass production.
Enjoy your free time. Somehow I figure you’ll work out what to do with it all 🙂
Posted by: Alison
I’m so glad you asked this question–I’m getting ready to have to knit a bunch of baby gifts and this information has been really helpful to me too.
The only baby item I’ve ever knit before was the Matinee Coat from Debbie Bliss’s Baby Cashmerino book. Actually, it still hasn’t been seamed–I finished it too late for the intended recipient, who was too big for it–but I think I’ll seam it up for one of these new babies. It was rather fiddly for a baby project, but the result (from what I can judge from pieces) is really cool.
Posted by: susan
My favorite baby gifts are the Ann Norling berry hats which are unbelievable cute and pretty quick to knock out. I also dearly love the baby socks because you can use up sock yarn scraps. And baby kimonos are beautiful and practical I think. There was a pattern for a darling one in this month’s Interweave Knits (but I have knit up Debbie Bliss’ in the past).
This is a darling pattern for a hat and it was fun to do. http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/leaf-edge-baby-hat.htm
Posted by: Laurie
I was so upset when dead like me got dropped. Last I knew they were still shopping it around and the wb was interested but nothing seems to have come of that. Its the curse of the good tv show, they always get cancelled.
Posted by: TheBon
Where I’m from (Aust), baby blankets are rare presents, probably because of the heat. I love whipping up little socks in DK. Cast on 28 stitches or a few extra for overcooked babies. About half an hour for a pair. They stay on and you don’t have to rethread in the ribbons or ties usually found on booties.
Silly baby hats, jester-style, or little felted bunnies such as the mysterious creatures that were running around Alison’s house a few weeks ago have been recent gifts for babies.
I’m knitting all the time for my 5’monther, he just keeps growing like a weed, but it does mean I get to continually try out different patterns and yarns without over committing myself to an adult version! I like that.
Posted by: jen
My current project is a baby blankie that I will only ever knit once. Too much intarsia to ever want to do this more than once. Hoo boy!
Posted by: Jon
Oat Couture has some cute baby patterns and they don’t take a ton of finishing. The lacy tshirt has gone over nicely.
Posted by: Ellen
Faves: Crib size blankets in cashmere or alpaca – the size means you can throw it in the stroller as well, and then be used as a blankie later. Melanie Falik – pretty much anything from the book Knitting For Baby. Erika Knight’s Kimono Wrap Top – always looks beautiful, you can make it boy or girl depending on whether your use a ribbon tie or add buttons, and because it’s a wrap top it has some stretch and give and will last a little longer. And it’s quick and takes hardly any wool.
Loved the felted mobile idea, you could really make something amazing with that (brains ticking away already).
What I would love to make, or have people make for me: Blankets. I only received one when Max was born, as most people assumed I’d have them already, and we used a lot of them for throwing in the pram, lying him down with on seats and floors etc. Toys – something very loving about a toy which is handcrafted in a world of mass production.
Enjoy your free time. Somehow I figure you’ll work out what to do with it all 🙂
Posted by: Alison
I’m so glad you asked this question–I’m getting ready to have to knit a bunch of baby gifts and this information has been really helpful to me too.
The only baby item I’ve ever knit before was the Matinee Coat from Debbie Bliss’s Baby Cashmerino book. Actually, it still hasn’t been seamed–I finished it too late for the intended recipient, who was too big for it–but I think I’ll seam it up for one of these new babies. It was rather fiddly for a baby project, but the result (from what I can judge from pieces) is really cool.
Posted by: susan
My favorite baby gifts are the Ann Norling berry hats which are unbelievable cute and pretty quick to knock out. I also dearly love the baby socks because you can use up sock yarn scraps. And baby kimonos are beautiful and practical I think. There was a pattern for a darling one in this month’s Interweave Knits (but I have knit up Debbie Bliss’ in the past).
This is a darling pattern for a hat and it was fun to do. http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/leaf-edge-baby-hat.htm
Posted by: Laurie