When my nephew was born last year, I made him the Debbie Bliss Alphabet Blanket.
Now my sister in law is expecting her second child and I am stuck as to what to make. I'd like to make another blanket because it'll be of use longer than a garment or anything like that. I am determined to make something quite as nice for my new niece or nephew as I did for Brychan. Except that I can't seem to find anything that I feel is suitable. I.e. not too simple, no intarsia (I'm giving myself space on that side, the Little Star sweater is still on the needles...)
Any suggestions? The only one that I can think of is the Apple Tree blanket that Yvonne made some time back. But I am really not sure that I like it as much. The baby is not due until the end of the year but with the speed that I am currently knitting at, I thought I should get a bit of a move on.
So could you please make a few suggestions of blankets that I really should be thinking of in the comments or email me and I'll do a bit more research. Thanks!
Posted by Amelia at August 2, 2006 06:55 AMHas to be the Moderne Baby Blanket from Mason-Dixon. I'm doing mine in Calmer but you could sub in any yarn.
Posted by: Carol at August 31, 2006 07:36 PMI recommend Erika Knight's silk heirloom blanket in her book Baby Bloom. I knitted it in a cotton yarn for my sister in law and it turned out really well. It's a kind of lace type pattern, creating a light, holey blanket and I really enjoyed knitting it. More interesting than sticking stitch but not so complicated that it drives you mad. Would defintiely recommend doing it in cotton - a million times more practical than anything else.
Posted by: Sarah at August 17, 2006 10:24 AMAre you at Liberty's tomorrow? Will bring the pattern for the shawl I'm making for a friend's baby. Garter centre, lace border, laceweight yarn, very pretty. ~x~
Posted by: Jane in Camden at August 16, 2006 12:12 PMHi Amelia!
I haven't commented in awhile but I haven't stopped lurking! I made the garter squares baby blanket in Debbie Bliss' "Baby Knits for Beginners". It obviously isn't the most complicated of patterns but color choices really make it look stunning (it is cashmerino aran after all). It was a nice project because I could pick up and knit a couple of squares whenever I had a few moments of time, collect them all and then seam them at my leisure. The final product was beautiful.
Thanks, Liz
Posted by: Liz at August 8, 2006 08:59 PMI second the Lucinda Guy patterns. The My House blanket is especially nice.
Posted by: Christina at August 8, 2006 05:21 AMHi Amelia
I'm knitting one of the oat couture patterns - auntie's afghan - all one colour, plain st stitch then a border. I'm just on the st.st so I can't advise how it will look completed. Did you see Jill's blanket (Prairie) - another Oat Couture blanket that looked lovely finished.
Lucinda Guy has cute baby blankets in her books "Handknits for Kids" and "And so to bed".
One from RYC Cashsoft DK and the other in Rowan Soft.
I started the Hoover Blanket from Knitty for my son, but I don't love the edges; I think I'll rip it out and redo them in seed stitch. You might have a look, though; it's a nice mindless pattern.
Posted by: Sarah at August 7, 2006 06:01 PMLovely job on the alphabet blanket. What about making a similar one but instead of using letters, use the numbers 0-9, or 1-10? That would make a lovely (and educational) counterpart to the first blanket.
I found your blog via a post on blithedance.typepad.com about a scarf you (and she) made.
Posted by: Captain at August 6, 2006 11:10 PMI like the apple tree blanket. Brown sheep just listed an entrelac baby blanket pattern for sale, too. It's simple but the colors she uses are nice and I'm sure you could substitute a yummy DB yarn.
I think the DB entrelac blanket Alpaca Woman mentioned is in the first Baby Cashmerino book.
Posted by: Amy at August 6, 2006 02:04 AMHow about the Star Light Star Bright Baby blanket in the Winter 99/00 Interweave Knits magazine? Instead of the lace holes forming letters they form 5 pointed stars. A row of 5 stars and then a row of 4 and so on to make 7 rows. The border has connecting lace diamonds and a similar edging to the Debbie Bliss alphabet blanket. If you would like more detail just e-mail me.
Posted by: Daisy at August 5, 2006 02:37 AMI was thinking entrelac blanket too... and there's another alphabet lace one I think in the Fiona McTague book.. also very sweet.
Posted by: atu at August 4, 2006 07:53 PMHi Amelia!
It's not really on-topic, but I thought I'd drop by and let you know that I made it back to Vancouver in one piece and I have "updated" my knitting blog, if only with the one project - the sheep dress! I'll put more up soon, promise!
As for the baby blanket, the hooded blanket from the Debbie Bliss Baby Knits book is the only one I've done so far and it should be a snap for someone who moss-stitches by nature! Mind you, it certainly isn't as impressive as the Apple Tree.
Cheers,
Diana
What a dilema! Hard to find something to match the alphabet blanket but loads of gorgeous suggestions have been made. I'm sure you'll find something just as exciting to make.
Sarah
Posted by: Sarah at August 3, 2006 03:53 PMOh, I just had a look at the apple tree blanket. Very cute! Not too fussy and "baby-like." Plus, it doesn't look like it would be too taxing to knit so that would help with the slow knitting progress.
Posted by: shelley at August 3, 2006 02:12 AMI love the look of the Apple Tree blanket, must get the book for that myself. I did a blanket for a friend's new grandson a few weeks ago and used the free members pattern from the DB club. I used some baby cashmerino and it turned out beautifully, so soft and cuddly, it was a great hit with the parents but was very easy to do.
Posted by: Louise at August 2, 2006 08:30 PMThe Stitchin' Sheep (http://stitchinsheep.blogspot.com) has a nice cabled baby blanket that doesn't take too many skeins of wool.
Posted by: Renata at August 2, 2006 05:43 PMHi Amelia, how about charting out the Welsh alphabet to make another blanket the-same-but-different?
Posted by: Sally at August 2, 2006 04:20 PMMy All-time FAVORITE baby blanket:
http://www.kyarns.com/blue-sky-organic-cotton-eyelet-baby-blanket-knitting-kit.html
Might be too girly for a boy???
This is a pretty blanket also:
http://www.oatcouture.com/patternpages/208Prairie.html
Posted by: Kathy at August 2, 2006 02:23 PMThe apple tree blanket is very cute!
What about the pinwheel blanket? http://www.knitlist.com/00gift/round-baby-blanket.htm
Posted by: Diana at August 2, 2006 02:21 PMhave you check out erika knight's knitting for two? i love the baby blanket (the deep purple one) with satin ribbon edge. it's very simple but use really good yarn. i think textures may not be as practical (for baby) as opposed to plain st. st.??
your first blanket is really cute!
Posted by: blossom at August 2, 2006 12:46 PMI am making the baby blanket from the Handknits for the Home book. I can't seem to find a picture of it anywhere on the Internet, but it is relatively simple with a seed stitch border and then panels of stars created with texture.
The apple tree blanket is beautiful. Hope you find the perfect one!
Posted by: isel at August 2, 2006 11:47 AMHi, from a lurker!!! I knitted a baby blanket from 'Knit Baby Blankets' by Gwen Steege. It is fairly repetitive to knit, but I gave one to a friend and she loves it. She is now using it for her second baby, and it is her 'best' blanket! It has washed and worn really well. The design is beautiful from either side and is called Sweethearts by Beverly Galeskas. Just a suggestion!!!!
Carole
The Apple Tree blanket was the first one I thought of too. What about the one that Jill did, I think it's an Oat Couture pattern?
Posted by: Mary at August 2, 2006 10:17 AMI really like the apple tree blanket. How about the DB entrelac blanket (don't know which book) if you're feeling adventurous...
Posted by: Alpaca Woman at August 2, 2006 09:38 AM