I’m knitting a hooded afghan but it is taking this newbie a long time. LOL Wondering what you all knit for babies–either your own or for gifts. I’m looking for ideas that are quick mainly, but you can also tell me other ideas that would take a long time. Thanks 
When you have a new baby to knit for... what do you make?
For me it depends on whose baby it is. If it’s someone close, I’ll make a blanket or sweater; if it’s an aquaintance, I’ll make a hat. A lot depends on the time I have and what I feel like making. I have to remind myself that a hand knit hat is a nice gift, and practical. Just because I’m capable of making something more elaborate, it doesn’t mean I’m obligated to.
I figure that a baby always will wear a hat when it’s cold. Booties are quick and easy, but I know my kids didn’t wear them until they were a bit older. Newborns are usually in footed things and their hands are inside their snow suit.
Just my 2 cents. 
well, I guess quick is all relative, Gabrielsmom! But here’s what I’m working on right now - my second baby project. I still have the hood to finish and sleeves. I don’t know if it’s a boy or girl, which is aggravating cause I’d love to pink it up!
I’ve only had 2 friends that were expecting/had babies since I began… The first baby I knitted a very fast pattern from red heart called Angel Baby… the other was a baby blanket that was posted on KH under patterns it was k so many P so many and it went really fast too… I just found out on Sat. that my cousin is fostering a little guy she is hoping to adopt its her adopted daughter’s brother… so I really need to find something fast to knit… I’ve been thinking of trying lion brand’s 4-hr afghan but it calls for size 50 needles and I’m not sure I’d like knitting with those LOL…
I still get nervous when I give away my knitting afraid it will come undone lol or if they wash it that will be it… lol so far both baby afghans have held up :lol:
I usually knit or crochet little sweaters for new babes. I have a couple of patterns that knit with worsted weight and go quickly. I quite often knit a larger size, not a newborn sweater. It depends a bit on what month the baby is born in, and when I think a sweater would be worn most. Some of my grandbabies were large, so a year size fit early. And one little guy is nearly a year old and a year size is just getting too small. He’s a peanut! Little hats are lovely to give. I’ve made up baskets for friends new babies with a little hat and some baby stuff and nice soap or something for the new mom. They seem to be appreciated. Have fun with it! samm
I knit hats, but not that many people that I know are having kids at the moment. I think I might get some yellow, green, and purple yarns tomorrow at Wal-Mart just in case…
I might attempt a baby blanket done in white if someone needs one.
Thanks so much everyone… and that hoodie is gorgeous! 
I am working on this blanket and it’s slow going, and there is another woman at work who’s expecting this summer and I am not as close to her so maybe I’ll do a hat and booties for her. The blanket is for my boss’s new arrival. 
How about some washcloths in cotton yarn?
Cotton yarn washes and dries really easily.
You could just do squares in Garter Stitch (all knit) or some other stitch pattern that you like. Knit up a square, roll it into a tube and wrap it in some pink/blue/neutral ribbon or a color that will match any other items you may be giving with the washcloth.
Other Sources for quick beginner baby gift items:
There is a great easy washcloth pattern in Knitting for Baby by Melanie Falick (with a nice eyelet edging)
More great patterns are in Baby Knits for Beginners by Debbie Bliss
I have found both of these books at my local library and on Amazon.
Quick or not you’re kind to do this for a new parent!!
I have bought a couple of lovely pattern books that are rated easy but still use techniques that I haven’t tried yet so tell myself that I should make them or something more elaborate than I usually do as it is quicker to knit for a baby and you use less yarn - therefore less risk if I do make mistakes when trying something new.
In real life, I usually make plain hats although I have made a baby blanket and a baby poncho.
I just bought the “Special Knits” book by Debbie Bliss and I just love the patterns. Hope to make something from it soon.
Hats, washcloths, a blanket if it’s someone close. My fool proof gift is usually a hat and matching booties. Nothing to complicated or time-consuming, but cute and thoughtful.
Nothin’ says lovin’ like a Viking Chicken Hat.
I have a pseudo friend who’s expecting a baby in June. I have never been terribly close to her, and haven’t even spoken to her in a few years (I only found out about the pregnancy in the Christmas newsletter they send out). But, they tried for years and years to conceive and I know they are soooooooo thrilled to be pregnant so it feels so special to be able to knit something for them.
I am starting with a baby bib, which is a super quick knit. I’m using this pattern.
Because of this thread, I think I will try to do a baby sweater too. I’ve never done a sweater before, so maybe this is a good opportunity to try one. I don’t know if I can work up the courage though, LOL.
I’m currently working on a baby blanket for a friend who wants to have a baby but her dh is saying “another year”…while secretly hoping that my dh will wake up and say “now”. We probably won’t have one for another year and since she won’t either…the blanket is going VERY slow.
I have made a couple of hats lately and given them to a girl who is due in Sept.–I got on a dpn hat kick for the compassionate KAL and just kept making more and more in different sizes. A baby poncho is easy and cute if it’s a girl…I want to try a sweater for dd…it’s my summer project…I’ll be sized for next fall/winter.
:roflhard: :roflhard:
Where did I put the pic of the kid in it… :?? :rollseyes:
I second the washcloths, I love this oneand have made it twice already (and I’m currently working on incorporating it into a blankie for the Compassionate KAL), it’s super easy except for the bobbles, but anyone on here (me even!!! :waving: ) would be happy to walk any beginners through it.
I prefer blankies to clothes, unless maybe a hat or booties or if it’s someone you’re really close with, because babies just grow out of them so fast… IMHO, of course…
If you’re really adventurous, click the link at the bottom of my signature for Hunter’s Itty Bitty Baby socks - they are warm, snug enough to fit under footed clothes, and the perfect size for a newborn.
Just a quickie suggestion
What ever you make try to make it for the 6-9 month old size.
EVERYONE gives stuff for that new baby. But babies grow quickly and it is so very nice to be able to outfit your kid when they are past their new born stage and no one is giving you anything new.
I just had a baby in September. I think a hat or if you had time a blanket is a great! My son lives in those one piece play outfits so he would never wear a sweater (we actually have one hand knitted sweater which I put on him once just to feel like he wore it :D). Having him right before winter, hats are great. I knitted him two hats and started a sweater and never bothered to finish it since I knew he would never wear it. That’s him though, and I know a lot of people dress their babies up a little nicer than the sleeper/play outfits
If you had time, a blanket would be nice too. My aunt knitted us two blankets and I love them!! Or maybe even some knitted toys??? I saw some great links once to knitted veggies. I have to dig up the link since I am on a new computer now, but they were really cute!
I wanted to add, when ds gets a smidge older, I do plan on knitting these:
http://www.knitty.com/issuesummer05/PATTcargo.html
and would LOVE to make this blanket if I ever get time:
http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/PATTwildstripes.html
-Jen
I would knit aa baby blanket out of a sofe chenille yarn. I’ll bet they’d love it!
:study:
Tons of great suggestions, everyone! Those Knitty cargo pants are on my list for my nephew.