Knitting and crochet are hotter than ever and my hands sometimes smoke! I do favor small, portable, practical projects like baby socks/booties, mitts, hats and scrunchies. However I havve been known to turn out a throw/play blanket or two and other home decor items.
Infant-sized socks and infant mittens make wonderful baby/shower gifts that the mother-to-be will never forget. I like to give 3 pair of each (socks & mitts), generous gift but not too much as a set can be made in a couple of evenings in front of the TV-each piece takes under an hour, especially once you memorize the pattern.
***TIP: Decreases are always one stitch in from the beginning or end of a needle. A decrease at the beginning of a needle will be K1, SSK and a decrease at the end of a needle will be K2tog, K1.
***TIP: Think alphabetically when grafting the toes--K comes before P. So, Knit the stitch off the front needle and Purl the stitch off the back needle!
A note on sizing: Every infant/baby will be a different size and there is no way to guarantee a fit from birth. However time solves all and these socks and mitts are of a size that will come to fit and be worn and used for long enough as the baby goes through the growth cycle. One mother told me that she liked the sets so much that they were still in her 3-year-old's drawers even though they could (obviously) no longer be worn.
My preference is to make the sets up in crayon-colored acrylic baby or sport yarn. The acrylic washes and wears well and the crayon colors are cheery, gender appropriate, and different and refreshing from today's retail selections. Knit the cuffs, heels, and toes in different colors (including stripes) to make unique child-like looks. Longer ribbing can be folded over for a cute look but may not stay folded when worn.
Don't be intimidated if you've never knit a sock before! Not only are socks easy but infant socks are perfect for learning due to the small time investment in each piece. If you need more information on learning to knit a sock, or are looking for step-by-step pictures you may wish to visit xxx, xxx or xxx.
Theese sweet booties are knit from the toe up using double knitting (fast!) and are a perfect base for some ribbon embroidery or other small embellishment. Try in the softest of yarns with a looser stitch for newborn luxury.
High-quality, custom scrunchies are really easy to chrochet from excesss bits of yarn and a hair elastic. They can be made simple with just a round or two to cover the elastic or fancy with lots of increasing that makes for a thick, ruffled appearance. Worsted-weight acrylic is great for every day and the end of a fancy ball of whimsy can make the perfect item for a night on the town. 15 minutes will complete the project.
Knit or chrochet a textured square and tack it to the front of a covered throw pillow (or around a bolster). Thick,, spongy knit patterns (brioche stitches) are great to beef up a yarn while two strands of boucle can carry their own weight in garter stitch. I find that the average two balls of yarn will cover a 16" pillow.
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Updated October 10, 2005