Dislike knitted baby gifts from family member

I quite like them, but if they are not to your taste then whether other people like them is irrelevant!

Photo and donate, or use as back up/ extra layers / for mud wrestling.

My sister had a similar problem.

I solved it by taking all the knitted baby stuff to a charity shop in a city 100 km away that I was visiting for a day's shopping.

I love knitting or crocheting when I’m doing it for someone else. I know it sounds cheesy, but each time I’m working on the item, I think of that person. So the end result is one of love. But …. I do ask the person first as I would hate to land someone with something they hated.

I do think it’s more difficult for you now as there’s a pattern (excuse the pun!) and she has no clue you don’t like or use them. So I’d go with the suggestion to ask her if she could make something you’d love and that you’d love and buy the wool yourself. Good quality acrylic isn’t dirt cheap.colours of course personal taste! If you know nothing about knitting yourself, as PPs have said, for many it’s the process, but seasoned knitters or crocheters have their preferences as to what they enjoy making too so I wouldn’t assume on that front.

I have had offers of making stuff for people declined, no biggie for me, I feel pleased they can be honest and I’ve avoided what you’re describing.

I think the items look well made and the cable one I couldn’t even dream to try, too much focus required there for my liking!

Those are gorgeous!

How are those garish?

They have a vintage Chanel vibe.

Exactly what I was about to post! Knitting is her hobby that she enjoys, having young kids in the family is just an excuse to go full steam ahead doing something you enjoy!

In your position OP, I wouldn't worry too much about treasuring every single one of them as sentimental family heirlooms (but I probably would keep a few of the nicer ones to look back at when they're older). Right now, if they fit, they can wear them for playing in. If they don't fit, could they be doll's clothes? Or maybe suggest to relative that she knit a doll to match them? Otherwise, pass them on to someone else or charity shop them.

That's what I used to do! A babygro and a cardi.

I used to put mine to bed in winter with knitted cardigans over babygrows/pyjamas. Especially useful while they were in gro bags to keep arms warm.

Some of them lasted years as were quite stretchy.

Could get some use out of it that way or as middle layers in winter.

We get so many knitted cardigans. The ones I don't like go in the wear to nursery pile. The ones I do like we use over and over again and gush about how wonderful they are. We do ask for specific colours and sometimes we get them and sometimes not. Could you point her in the direction of knitting doll clothes if your child has a doll?

I like the hat and the jumper. They're classic and the pink is soft. Not keen on the Bertie Bassett-core cardies. All items are obviously very well made.

I think you need to be more open with asking for styles & colours required- and be prepared to provide patterns and wool to back up your "vision". Or, persuade your relative to join a hospital / charity knitting project as a distraction. The knitter obviously has skill and a very kind heart. With the items you've already got, I honestly don't know; legitimately pass them on to charity once your children are too big, keep them for under coat/ outdoor play layers or keep some bits for teddy / doll clothes whilst donating the rest once they're outgrown. All good ideas mentioned upthread.

I'm a knitter/ crafter when I have time. You have to realise that the joy for the knitter is in the process of knitting. For this person I would also not think that she is that interested in the actual outcome as she doesn't care or listen to your preferences. Possibly once done it is out of mind as she is on the next project. So I'd say feel free to dispose of, but to a charity shop they are unlikely to attend.

Ah, I think they are lovely! Especially the pink with matching hat.

This ⬆️. Your first point, exactly.

I used to get through so many clothes with mine, I would have been very grateful! The baby won't mind if it's brown and cream or pink and cream.
The pink cable sweater is gorgeous!

does it depend whether you consider your child to be a human who needs to be warm, or a doll who needs to be accessorised.

I used to like receiving clothes that i would never have looked at twice for my babies. Things i never would have tried otherwise

I agree they're 'fine' but the problem is when you have so many clothes already, you struggle to get through just the nice stuff before the child outgrows them. I pretty much bought nothing for my babies but they had a huge number of clothes as gifts and I had several knitters giving me things. My mother-in-law's sister would knit stuff and my MIL didn't really believe that we didn't need just one more cardigan (think sister was asking her about colour preferences or whatever) until I pointed out we had sixteen in baby's current size.

I agree, I think the garments are lovely.

I’m not sure I can see what the problem is with those things. They’re certainly not garish. Why not just use them? Your baby won’t mind! Might even like to wear something that’s cheerful because if that’s considered garish I assume they’re normally dressed quite drearily.

I love them 😍

I think they're lovely, what a nice change from the usual mass produced items.
They're not garish at all. I don't understand why you'd dress a baby in beige and grey.
Someone would be very, very grateful for these, so give them to a baby bank or charity shop.

Liquorice Allsorts is what I thought too.

@LoftyOliveDreamer I had some knitted outfits for my babies in colours and patterns I wouldn't necessarily have chosen but I actually ended up using them a lot in cold weather.

How old are your DC, OP? If baby to toddler then these look absolutely fine to me. Perhaps even beyond. I'd pair them with some leggings in a single colour.

ETA: my DC loved this cardigan which just came from a supermarket but has similar vibes with the stripey sleeves. We never had any problems matching it with other clothes: https://share.google/images/XU4Vp3c7PbNTQMCVP

I love them! Would have happily put those on my kids. We had a neighbour that knitted stuff for my eldest when he was a toddler. She loved watching him walk past her house wearing the jumpers and cardi’s she’d made.

Maybe buy some wool and a pattern you like and give her those to work on.

Depends who you are.... I wouldn't dress my child in them.

Honestly OP, I thought maybe you were being a bit ungrateful until I saw the photo. I see your problem, they look like beautifully knitted Liquorice Allsorts.

Debbie Bliss baby pattern books are the way to go and there are lots available secondhand online.

I used to knit with baby cashmerino it was so soft and the colours were gorgeous,