What to Knit/Crochet when you are expecting

[kellestar]

Hello, hope it's okay to start a thread here. We've been talking about knitting and crochet on our antenatal thread and we've probably scared some of the non-crafty types.

I've pinched the thread title from a book I recently purchased... but it's not limited to that book only as I also have tons of patterns bookmarked on Ravelry as well.

I already have a DD [2] that I knit for, she's slim so still knitting 1 year old patterns for her at the moment. I am due in April and we aren't going to find out if it's a boy or girl, so I'm knitting in lots of bright colours.

So, any ideas on some lovely patterns to share with us? links would be helpful and maybe a note if it's free/paid. Here are some of my go to patterns when someone say's I'm having a baby.

This Puerperium Cardigan is one of my favourite patterns to knit for little ones. The newborn size is free, but loved it so much I bought the pattern that covers larger sizes. DD loves her's still, though it's now a 3/4 sleeve.

And from the same designer newborn vertebrae which is also lovely to knit up. It's free in newborn size too.

[[http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aviatrix-baby-hat aviatrix hat] a free hat pattern that's quite cute and a quick knit, the pattern was easy to follow, though may not be suited to really new knitters, it has short row shaping and picking up stitches, which really isn't that hard. Looks very cute on a baby though. :)

what to knit when you are expecting picked this book up last week in the Works for £3.99, it's a fab little book with some lovely patterns to build new skills. I bought it in store, but you can buy online.

Debbie Bliss Baby Knits for Beginners picked this up years ago when friends were having babies. The hat pattern in here looks lovely in any yarn [inc stylecraft dk] and I've knitted dozens of them. I also found the socks very very easy as an introduction, they look lovely knitted in sirdar baby crofter and as they are on two needles they are easier to get your head around, you just sew up the underside.

I also love the crochet blanket patterns from attic 24 they are bright and fresh, I crochet them up in smaller sizes for buggies/cribs. DD has quite a few that I've made her now and she loves stroking them.

Looking forward to getting some fresh ideas.

Ooo and this is me on Ravelry if you want to see some of my projects, though I am crap at uploading photos... they are on my camera, I'm just naff.

Hi hopping over from the April board, :) loving the attic 24 things, thanks for the link. I'm in the process of crocheting a ripple effect black and white striped blanket (i made up the ripple effect if anyone wants the stitches i could list) and the plan is to make some Premmie hats, ds had to borrow one when he was born and I felt bad so going to be prepared this time. If anyone has/ knows of a good pattern I'd appreciate it?

be gentle is a free knit pattern from ravelry, had 4 preemie sizes.

[[http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/shell-stitch-preemie-hat shell stitch] this is a free crochet pattern, it links to another webpage with the pattern on. I used DK and a 3.5mm hook. Though you can use a bigger hook to have a looser fit. But you may find you want to go down a hook size.

Let me know if you can't access PDF's mama and I'll get it to you in a text format.

I am doing a woolly hug with the attic 24 ripple, it's pink/blue/green stripes and looks lush.

relinking that shell stitch hat for you shell stitch

We that was fast thanks so much. ,love the shell pattern I'll definitely be using that one. Just had a look at your projects as well, there all gorgeous! I love the baby clemency one in particular, I have some Union Jack buttons that would look great on that style.

it was my first top down project, it means it's seamless, means no sewing up. It took a bit of logic, some spare stitch holders, circulars for the sleeves, but it was well worth it, and finished quickly as no sewing up.

The joy is once you've done one, the next ones are a piece of cake.

I have way too many projects on the go, I have a large basket full of projects down the side of the sofa.

I also have yarn hidden throughout the house... I'm a bit too scared to gather it all into one place in case DH notices exactly how much yarn there is here.

Are you a crochet person more than a knitter? I have some crochet patterns for simple tops too. I did a few baby jackets from this pattern hexagon jacket

What sort of things are you making? My daughter polices my craft/wool purchases these days though you can never have too much .
Usually I knit but because it takes longer do several crochet bits at the same time.i am halfway through a knitted Rowan cable pattern which is very complicated but that's been put aside for now im just too tired to concentrate at the moment. Tis gorgeous though.
I've also made some crochet Star Wars figures for my ds for Christmas and some flower brooches for my daughter.
The pattern looks lovely do you think it would be easy enough to make to a bigger size?
Also saw on your revelry profile that you like moonlight, just had to say yay! I loved that series but no one else seems to have heard of it.

Carina Spencer has some gorgeous things - you can see some examples on my Ravelry projects page - Theo jacket and Max jacket.

I love the Kanoko pants, would totally do those for myself if they came in big sizes Also the Super Simple Baby Tunic.

My latest project was the very lovely Nancy Baby Dress, not quite finished in the pics at the mo.

And of course nothing beats the Baby Surprise Jacket. It is a legend. You can see three different ones on my Ravelry page. I'll be doing one of these soon for my DH's cousin's first baby, trying to persuade my mother-in-law to do one too as a Knit-along!

Also in my faves but not yet done:
In threes
Sideways dude
Sweet Bunting
Garter Stitch Baby Kimono

Love the baby kimono tribpot definitely going on my to do list!

Yes, it's a lovely pattern, Mama, and there are a number of variations on the theme as well.

It got two thumbs up from the baby's parents - because it's a wrap jacket it's a lot easier to get on a small wriggly baby than a cardigan!

tribpot some lovely patterns there, I've added a few to my epic queue.

Popped to the library this morning and ended up spotting some king cole melody [in a grey/teal/red colourway] in the window of the Wool Shop and ended buying two balls to do the puerperium cardi, more than enough.

which pattern? :) there are so many :)

Moonlight was good, I love SF series like that, though i end up buying them as the tv is pants unless you have sky. Love things like firefly and Fringe. Prefer trueblood and vampire diaries in their original book formats, just never bonded with the tv versions :)

Mittens!

I have the What to Knit when you're expecting book too. I am doing a test knit on Rav for that designer right now too Have added you there, Kellestar.

I also gave in and bought the paid version of vertebrae a few weeks ago - it's lovely.

This is rather lovely t-shirt (sized for 6-9 months). Came across it today.

Magi I am tempted by maile cardi in bigger sizes for my toddler. I've bought a few other Kelly Brooker patterns... they are well written and do the various sizes for a reasonable price. I think most magazines cost £4.99 these days, so getting a pattern I want for less than that in a good range of sizes is good.

The maile cardigan is lovely.

Bootees with ribbed cuffs are proving very useful for keeping feet in the right place right now :)

Don't forget to make something for yourself that you can look forward to getting into.

the Milo vest is a super pattern and is sized from newborn to 6 yrs

It costs 5 aussie dollars to download but is worth every penny

Baby Brioche jacket is also lovely & quick to knit & is a free Ravelry download

Should have said that the Milo vest is knitted in the round & has a small cable panel but would be a good 1st project for anyone who's never worked in the round before as it is quite straightforward I would say

The brioche jacket is probably not suited to absolute beginners as the brioche stitch, variations on cast on/cast off and magic loop (for sleeves) might be a bit much to get the hang of all at once. But for a more experienced knitter it would be a quick knit.

Pleiades I should really carry on with the jumper I stopped when I found out I was pregnant, but its more motivating to knit things like mittens that I can wear as soon as finished!

tribpot and kellestar I've added you on Ravelry, hope you don't mind.

it's nice to have more knitty friends :) and Mrs your almost local :)

pleiades if only I wasn't so round in the first place... :) I loose patience knitting for me. I love knitting for babies and toddlers as it's short projects and suits me as I am just so distracted all the time.

I finished knitting DD's poppy hat which is rather lovely but has come up quite small, she has a small circumference but ears are set low [sounds odd] so though it fits round, her ears are exposed. The pattern was an easy knit in an evening and would knit the next size up again for her.

I am back to working on the attic24 hexagons blanket though wish I'd made my hex's sit in more random positions, but I am too systematic to allow for randomness :)