Knitting and Crocheting is a very soothing hobby.  It isn’t very expensive and can keep you busy for hours on end.  In fact, it is actually quite cheap!  There are literally quite a few choices out there if you want to knit.  Just about every topic might come to mind, but the most fascinating, interesting and gratifying choice must be Baby Knitting Patterns.  It is just a wonderful warm feeling to see your child or grandchild wearing your creation.

The other reason why I think that baby knitting patterns are the best is that it’s usually smaller rojects.  Let’s face it, with all the haste in the world, people just don’t have time for hobbies anymore.  The scary thing though is that hobbies are necessary for relaxation and quality of life.  To start a smaller project like baby knitting patterns or maybe baby crochet patterns is great if you don’t have that much time at hand.

Once you’ve finished the project and you want a bigger challenge, you can start with some baby quilt patterns.  Quilts are much bigger, but still not impossible to finish. 

The problem I see currently is that there just isn’t enough people around supplying good quality baby knitting patterns anymore.  Sure you’ve got a knitting pattern here and a knitting pattern there, but when choosing specific baby knitting patterns it’s almost always hard to find.  If you start thinking at history here, then you’ll probably find a lot of baby knitting patterns, baby quilt patterns and even baby crochet patterns.

The good thing though is that the ideas of baby knitting is basically unlimited.  It’s great to think that almost everything can be made with yarn and knitting needles.  You can make hats, shoes, pants, quilts, dresses etc…  You can even make a whole outfit if your need or want to.

The ranges of colours is also endless and the types of yarn is just astonishing today.  You get so many different types of yarn it’s unbelievable.  So, let’s get busy and think of a project to start enjoying life and be more relaxing and let your fingers to the walking and your imagination run wild.

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Vintage Baby Knits

A must have charming collection of more than 40 contemporary updates of timeless baby patterns. The projects range from small, quick-to-knit items like hats, booties, and shrugs to larger, more challenging designs for sweaters, onesies, and dresses, including a lace christening gown.

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Simply Baby: 20 Adorable Handknits for Baby’s First Two Years  

Debbie Bliss presents 20 adorable new designs for babies and toddlers—from blankets and booties to cardigans, twin sets, and coats—all using soft, snuggly yarns.  This is a must have book for any knitting enthusiast that can’t get enough of a good thing.

Simply Baby Is Simply The Best.  Get it here!

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Our next baby knitting pattern is this cute cushion that gently cradles a sleepy child’s head. It makes a thoughtful gift and you only need a day to complete this project. This inchworm pillow is knitted up in a soft, washable cottony yarn, it’s both snugly and easy to clean. 

Size
Length (after stuffing): about 29″ (73.5cm)

What You’ll Need
Yarn: Worsted weight yarn, approximately 127 yards (116m); scrap yarn in assorted colors for eyes, nose, I-cord striping

We used: Rowan All Seasons Cotton (60% cotton, 40% acrylic; 98 yards [90m] per 50g ball): #217 Lime Leaf (yarn A), 2 balls; #219 Duskand (yarn B), 1 ball; Rowan Handknit Cotton (100% cotton; 93 yards [85m] per 50g ball): #319 Mango Fool (yarn C), 1 ball; #215 Rosso (yarn D), 1 ball

Needles: US size 7 (4.5mm); US size 6 (4mm) double-pointed, set of 2

Notions: Stitch holder; long sewing pins; tapestry needle; polyester fibrefill

Gauge
16 stitches and 23 rows=4″ (10cm)

Make the Pillow (Make 2)
Cast on 16 stitches.

• Row 1 (right side): Knit 1, knit into front and back of next stitch, knit across to last 2 stitches, knit into front and back loop, knit 1. (18 stitches)
• Row 2 (wrong side): Purl 1, make 1 purlwise, purl across to last stitch, make 1 purlwise, purl 1. (20 stitches)
• Rows 3, 5, 7, and 9: Repeat row 1.
• Rows 4, 6, 8, and 10: Repeat row 2.
• Row 11 (right side): Repeat row 1. (38 stitches)
• Row 12: Purl.
• Row 13: Knit 1, knit into front and back loop, knit to last 2 stitches, knit into front and back loop, knit 1. (40 stitches)
• Rows 14-17: Repeat rows 12 and 13 twice more. (44 stitches)
• Row 18: Purl.
• Row 19: Knit.
• Rows 20-23: Repeat rows 12 and 13 twice more. (48 stitches)
• Row 24: Purl.
• Row 25: Knit 1, knit into front and back of next stitch, knit 20, knit 2 together, turn work. Continue to work on these 24 stitches only. Place remaining 24 stitches on stitch holder.
• Row 26: Bind off 2 stitches, purl to end. (22 stitches on needle)
• Row 27: Knit to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together. (21 stitches)
• Row 28: Purl.
• Row 29: Knit.
• Row 30: Bind off 1 stitch, purl to end. (20 stitches)
• Row 31: Knit to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together. (19 stitches)
• Rows 32-40: Starting with a purl row, work 9 rows in stockinette stitch, ending with a wrong-side row.
• Row 41: Knit 2 together, knit to last 2 stitches, knit into front and back loops of next stitch, knit 1. (19 stitches)
• Row 42: Purl.
• Row 43: Knit to last 2 stitches, knit into front and back loops of next stitch, knit 1. (20 stitches)
• Row 44: Purl.
• Row 45: Knit 2 together, knit to last stitch, knit into front and back loops of last stitch. (20 stitches)
• Row 46: Purl.
• Row 47: Knit to last stitch, knit into front and back loops of last stitch. (21 stitches)
• Row 48: Purl.
• Row 49: Knit 2 together, knit to end. (20 stitches)
• Rows 50 and 51: Repeat rows 48 and 49 once. (19 stitches)
• Row 52: Purl.
• Row 53: Knit 2 together, knit to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together. (17 stitches)
• Rows 54-61: Repeat rows 52-53 four times. (9 stitches)
• Row 62: Bind off 1 stitch, purl to last 2 stitches, purl 2 together. (7 stitches)
• Row 63: Knit 2 together, knit to last 2 stitches, knit 2 together. (5 stitches)

Bind off remaining stitches. Cut yarn.

Pick up 24 stitches from stitch holder, and work the pattern from row 25, reattaching yarn and reversing all shaping. Note: Beginning the second section with a knit (right-side) row, the shaping that involved binding off stitches on the wrong side (rows 26, 30, 62) in the first section will now change to purl 2 together for each bind-off stitch called for in the pattern as you will not be able to bind off at the end of a purl row without cutting the yarn. For example, row 62 will now begin and end with purl 2 together.

Finishing

Press both pieces using plenty of steam to gently block into shape, smoothing edges to form even curves. Do not stretch the knitting. Pin together with wrong sides facing, matching all edges. With yarn A threaded on tapestry needle, use mattress stitch to sew the pieces together around the edges, leaving an opening at the head or tail for the filling. Stuff the pillow as evenly as possible; do not overstuff. Stitch opening shut, tie yarn tail into knot, and weave in ends to inside of pillow.

Adding Features

Note: Stitch the details into the face using photo as your guide. Knot the tails firmly, pulling loose ends deep into the pillow.

Make the stripe: With yarn C, cast 3 stitches onto 1 double-point needle and make a simple I-cord about 1 yard (91.5m) long. To ensure cord is long enough, wrap it around the pillow in a spiral from head to tail. Unwrap. Bind off I-cord and cut yarn. Pin one end of cord to the underside of the pillow, about 3″ (7.5cm) from the tail end. Rewrap cord around worm, ending on the underside about 3″ (7.5cm) from head end, and pin it into place. Hide end of cord underneath spiral. Using yarn C threaded onto tapestry needle, stitch cord into place along entire length to secure it to the pillow, adding a backstitch every few stitches. Hide all stitches underneath the cord, with yarn tails knotted firmly and pulled deep into the body of the pillow.

Make the antennae: Cut 6 pieces of yarn A each about 8″ (20.5cm) in length. Thread 3 pieces onto tapestry needle and draw yarn halfway through a stitch where the first antenna will be. Remove needle, leaving yarn pulled halfway through stitches. With about 4″ (10cm) on both sides, braid the yarn. Finish by knotting strands together firmly. Trim yarn tails to desired length. Repeat with the remaining 3 pieces of yarn for the other antenna.

Make the eyes: Thread 24″ (61cm) yarn B onto tapestry needle, pull ends together and tie in overhand knot to create a 12″ (30.5cm) double strand. Pull yarn through a stitch about 1″ (2.5cm) below first antenna, and thread needle between strands at knot. Pull yarn gently to anchor, and push knot behind stitches. Make eye using a satin stitch, going across 3 knit rows. Make 3 or 4 stitches next to each other, creating an oval for the eye. Run needle up through the back of the stitches made, and push the needle deep into the stuffing of the head and across to where you will make the other eye. Repeat instructions to make second eye. After you’ve run the needle up through the back of the stitches just made, cut yarn at needle. Knot ends, rethread needle with yarn ends, and pull yarn and knot through stitches to hide inside body. Remove needle.

Make the nose: Make a 11/2″ pom-pom. Thread tapestry needle with yarn tails, draw through 3 stitches at the position desired, and pull the nose into place. Draw the needle through the pillow a few times more to firmly anchor nose to face; knot yarn securely. Hide knot behind nose.

Our next pattern is quick, easy, and cozy — keep reading to find out what it is.

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As promised in my previous post, today I’ll be giving you a baby knitting pattern accessory that every baby and new parent needs.  You’ve been waiting to find out what it is and today I’m going to tell you.  But wait, before I do that, can you guess what it is?  What’s the first accessory a newborn baby and first time parents need?  Did you guess it?  Yes, you’re right, it’s baby bibs!

Baby bibs are the perfect gift to parents of a newborn.  It’s very easy to knit yourself and there are tons of ideas and charm if you customize it.  I’ll be showing you 2 patterns you can use.  A sailboat and a heart.  If you follow the chart to create these beautiful baby bibs, then you’ll be smooth sailing all the way.

The size of these creations are 7×7” or 18×18cm and you will need the following:

Yarn A: 100% cotton light worsted weight or DK weight solid-color yarn.  The length would be approximately 50 yards or 46m for each bib.

Yarn B: 100% cotton light worsted weight or DK weight variegated yarn, approximately 25 yards or 23m for each bib.

Needles: US size 4 (3.5mm) and US size 2 (2.75mm) circular and 24” or 61cm long.

Notions: Stitch holder; Tapestry needle.

Gauge: 26 stitches and 36 rows = 4” or 10cm in stockinette stitch.

Notes

·         The yarn must be worked on small needles to produce a very closely knit fabric so that the spills can’t soak through easily.

·         When changing colors, the old color should be dropped and the new color should be brought in from under the old color, twisting them together to avoid gaps. 

·         For the sailing boat pattern you will need two balls of Yarn A and one ball of Yarn B.

·         For the heart pattern you will need three balls of Yarn A and two balls of Yarn B.

·         You should consider cutting longer lengths of yarn instead of winding smaller balls or bobbins because of the small areas.

Making The Bib

Using Yarn A and size 4 (3.5cm) needles cast on 31 stitches.

Row 1 and all other odd number rows (wrong side): Purl all stitches.

Row 2: Knit 1, Make 1, Knit 29, Make 1, Knit 1.  (33 Stitches.

Row 4: Knit 1, make 1, knit 31, make 1, knit 1. (35 stitches)

Row 6: Knit 1, make 1, knit 33, make 1, knit 1. (37 stitches)

Row 8: Knit 1, make 1, knit 35, make 1, knit 1. (39 stitches)

Row 10: Knit 1, make 1, knit 37, make 1, knit 1. (41 stitches)

You have to work in stockinette stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) for 7 rows more, ending with row 17.

Next row: Begin working motif (heart or sailboat) following the chart and using the intarsia method.

After finishing charted design, work 10 rows in stockinette stitch with yarn A.

Shape Neckline

Row 1 (right side): Knit 12, bind off 17, knit to end of row (12 stitches on each side of bind-off). Place first set of 12 stitches on stitch holder.

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12: Purl.

Row 3: Bind off 2 stitches, knit 10.

Row 5: Bind off 1 stitch, knit to end of row. (9 stitches)

Row 7: Bind off 1 stitch, with 1 stitch already on right needle from bind-off, knit 5 more, knit 2 together. (7 stitches)

Row 9: Bind off 1 stitch, with 1 stitch already on right needle, knit 3 more, knit 2 together. (5 stitches)
Row 11: Bind off 1 stitch, with 1 stitch already on right needle, knit 1 more, knit 2 stitches together. (3 stitches)

Row 13: Slip 2 stitches as if to knit them together, knit 1, pass the 2 slipped stitches over the knitted one. Cut yarn, pull tail through last stitch and fasten off.

Rejoin yarn to 12 stitches on holder and knit other side, reversing shaping.

Edging and Ties

With right side facing, pick up 43 stitches along the neckline edge of bib using yarn B and size 2 (2.75mm) circular needles. Knit 3 rows. Bind off all stitches.

With the circular needle and using knitted cast-on method and yarn B, cast on 50 stitches. With the same needle and yarn and right side facing, pick up 140 stitches evenly along left edge, bottom, and right edge of the baby bib. Cast on another 50 stitches on the end. Knit 3 rows.

Bind off all stitches. Weave in all ends to wrong side of work.

Every newborn needs a cute and cuddly companion. Keep reading this blog to find out what we’ll be doing next week!.

Have a good one and Happy Knitting!

When your new baby arrives, it’s really time to celebrate and as soon as the new baby is there, new needs arise and the baby would need new things.  Even before the new baby arrives parents would go out and get some new clothes.

Fortunately, if you can knit, you don’t have to go out and buy your baby clothes.  You can just knit them yourself.  It doesn’t matter if you want to make something for your own baby or if you decide to knit something for another baby, the baby knitting patterns that I’ll be providing in this blog will give you plenty of ideas.

Remember that babies need more than just clothing and you can create more than just clothes from yarn.  There are thousands of things you can do.  The sky is actually the limit.  It all depends on your experience and your imagination.

Knitting for babies is fun and definitely rewarding.  The projects is usually small, although it still depends on you how simple it is.  This is entirely up to you.  Once you’ve finished with a baby knitting pattern, nothing can be more heart warming than giving the new parents a gift made by your own hands.

What baby knitting patterns are out there and what can you do except for clothes?  As mentioned before, there are a lot of baby knitting patterns you can try out.  A few examples would be Baby Bibs, a Buddy Inchworm Pillow, maybe a hooded towel or a poncho.  It really is up to you.

In the upcoming weeks, I will discuss all of these ideas in detail and giving you some examples of what I mean.  I will sometimes even give you a pattern or two you can try out.  We can go into the basics of knitting where I can teach you how to knit by giving you step-by-step knitting instructions.

Remember to check back soon.  I will be giving you a pattern to try out next week.  This will be a must have accessory for any baby and all new parents.  You will just have to wait till next week to find out. 

Have a good one and Happy Knitting!

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