Knitting for new arrivals...
Posted on November 18 2020
I hope that you are all staying well and coping with the second lockdown. Every situation has a silver lining, and the good thing about the arrival of shorter days and long dark evenings is that we have a very good excuse to binge on 'The Crown' whilst knitting!
Apparently, one of the outcomes of the first lockdown is an imminent 'baby boom' and so today I am going to show you a few ideas in case you know of any expected new arrivals. Of course, the added bonus of knitting for small folk is that they take next-to-no-time to finish...
These sweet little lovebirds pictured above, are designed by Sue Stratford. With just 3 balls of Erika Knight British Blue yarn in 25g you can knit 3 birds in different colourways. We have selected some colourways for our kit option alternatively, you can just buy the pattern from our store. In our photo we have used the colours Milk, Gift and Mouse. They would make a lovely mobile in a baby's room. I have decided to knit some Santa hats and use them sitting on a branch as a Christmas decoration - well, the idea has reached my 'to do' list at any rate!
Apparently, one of the outcomes of the first lockdown is an imminent 'baby boom' and so today I am going to show you a few ideas in case you know of any expected new arrivals. Of course, the added bonus of knitting for small folk is that they take next-to-no-time to finish...
These sweet little lovebirds pictured above, are designed by Sue Stratford. With just 3 balls of Erika Knight British Blue yarn in 25g you can knit 3 birds in different colourways. We have selected some colourways for our kit option alternatively, you can just buy the pattern from our store. In our photo we have used the colours Milk, Gift and Mouse. They would make a lovely mobile in a baby's room. I have decided to knit some Santa hats and use them sitting on a branch as a Christmas decoration - well, the idea has reached my 'to do' list at any rate!
Stitch Cardigan knitted in moss/seed stitch with a wide comfortable neck,
short cap raglan sleeves and fastened with a single button.
short cap raglan sleeves and fastened with a single button.
This first little top is also knitted in Erika Knight's British Blue and is available to knit in 3 sizes from 0- 9 months using 3(4,5) x 25 g balls. The cardigan creates an extra layer for baby as the weather cools down. Wool is the perfect fibre for babies: it is naturally soft, warm in winter and cool in summer. Erika Knight's British Blue wool is pure 100% British Bluefaced Leicester considered the finest of British fleeces. You can either purchase the cardigan as a kit or stand alone pattern.
Bunny Bootees
How about these little booties? The perfect choice for keeping a baby's feet snug and warm. The pattern is available in two sizes up to 12months and 1 x 25g ball in 2 colours of Erika Knight's British Blue (we used milk and chocolate) knitted up a pair in each size.
A basic long-sleeved sweater knitted in stocking stitch with a
wide roll neck and simple button fastening.
wide roll neck and simple button fastening.
And finally, a little sweater in stocking stitch with an easy neck opening. The pattern is available in 3 sizes from 0-9months using 5(6,7) x 25g balls of Erika Knight's British Blue. I always think that there's something special and thoughtful about receiving a present which has been handmade. Again, the sweater is available as a kit or pattern.
I signed up to Knit Stars this year and one of the contributors, Tatiana Sarasa, talks about 'knitting as making, it is time and it is love' and says that 'when we are knitting something we are giving part of us away'. I totally agree with those sentiments. Time is one of the most precious things we have and knitting for somebody else means that we are giving our time to create something that we hope will bring joy to another person. That time is also spent doing something for ourselves that is enjoyable and is beneficial to our own well-being. I have written about the benefits of knitting in an earlier post.
I signed up to Knit Stars this year and one of the contributors, Tatiana Sarasa, talks about 'knitting as making, it is time and it is love' and says that 'when we are knitting something we are giving part of us away'. I totally agree with those sentiments. Time is one of the most precious things we have and knitting for somebody else means that we are giving our time to create something that we hope will bring joy to another person. That time is also spent doing something for ourselves that is enjoyable and is beneficial to our own well-being. I have written about the benefits of knitting in an earlier post.
My favourite wrap for the winter which is now available
ready-made in a selection of 8 beautiful colours.
If you haven't already started planning, then now is the perfect time to start thinking about gifts for Christmas especially if you are considering making your own! We are now selling some of our garments ready-made for those of you who already have too much knitting on the go. Alternatively, we have plenty of kits that you can either gift to yourself, or to friends, to keep hands and minds occupied during the months ahead.
Talking about presents, if you or anyone you know, has a problem storing jewellery then you might be interested in Swag-bag. I like to wear costume jewellery with my hand knits and I was unable to find a good storage solution for my rather large collection! A friend and I got together and designed Swag-bag to solve this problem and the product was launched ten years ago. As a subscriber to this newsletter you can receive a 10% discount by using the code XMAS10 at checkout.
Finally, a lovely way to use up those odd bits of yarn we all have lying around is to make knitted hearts and fill them with dried lavender. I have stuffed little organza bags with the lavender before sewing them into the hearts. They will be the perfect addition to gift packages creating a wonderful smell and useful afterwards to place amongst garments as a moth deterrent.
Talking about presents, if you or anyone you know, has a problem storing jewellery then you might be interested in Swag-bag. I like to wear costume jewellery with my hand knits and I was unable to find a good storage solution for my rather large collection! A friend and I got together and designed Swag-bag to solve this problem and the product was launched ten years ago. As a subscriber to this newsletter you can receive a 10% discount by using the code XMAS10 at checkout.
Finally, a lovely way to use up those odd bits of yarn we all have lying around is to make knitted hearts and fill them with dried lavender. I have stuffed little organza bags with the lavender before sewing them into the hearts. They will be the perfect addition to gift packages creating a wonderful smell and useful afterwards to place amongst garments as a moth deterrent.
I hope this newsletter finds you well. No matter what your age or circumstance, this year has been a particularly difficult one and so, I thought I would end with a few YouTube clips that make me laugh every time I watch them. I hope they cheer you up too. If you love the fabulous French and Saunders, here they are in their own version of 'Mamma Mia' / Part 2 for Red Nose Day 2009.
Stay well.
Stay well.