Dislike knitted baby gifts from family member

Same! I'm so tired of boring neutrals!

I think they are all lovely. Not garish at all. But then I hate neutrals on babies in general. Always look a bit sad to me.

We have a relative that did amazing stylish woollen creations for ours that we loved so it can be done so good luck with the book!

She did an amazing line in booties but kept them going to cover the full leg which were perfect when babywearing as leg warmers.

Could you perhaps buy her some wool. The fair isle stuff is expensive but gorgeous. Perhaps ‘I spotted this when our’.

I would send a picture and then donate but keeping a few for dolls clothes ( once my daughter hit 5 she loved dolls clothes).

Once your kids are at nursery/childminder age you may find them a godsend.

We always kept a few we weren’t keen on from another relative in the car boot for layers if out when it was cold. Or for when kids were old enough to play in the garden after school in autumn and not dirty other clothes. It’s surprising how warm they are in winter as an extra layer or a layer under a coat.

I think the photos of the knitted items you've shown are fine and not wild and garish, but you obviously don't like them.

The pink jumper with the white/cream trim - and matching hat - are perfectly lovely. These jumpers have come back in style, so I’m not sure why you think it’s dated!

This ☝️
My mum has knitted some hideous things, picture taken and sent to say thanks, job done.
and fingers crossed this story doesn’t end up in the news.

I'd have put them on with black leggings, in situations the baby will get dirty. However I'd be completely honest and say what colours are wanted. Although I know African parents who'd love all of it for a girl or boy (they don't do pink/blue like we do). So keep donating.

I really like them.

I don’t see what’s so garish about them to be honest. Has the word garish changed meaning?

Bloody hell. They're awful. Have you done anything to offend her, and she's doing this as punishment? 🤣

I think they're really cute, and not garish at all.

I love those colours and designs!

dress the kid as a liquorish all sorts for halloween

I think they look lovely! I loved hand knitted stuff when my dd was younger. If they’re too small then that’s an issue but young children don’t care about neutral colours.

I think a specific pattern book is a good idea. Or even buy your own wool for her to knit but dress it up oh I saw this lovely wool and have to have it. Absolutely dont say your knitted stuff is awful.

My aunt has always knitted for the children in the family and some of her colour.combos have been questionable. However we have figured that paired with denim and a plain white T-shirt, it always looks fine. She likes doing pictures on things and the kids love it.

Acrylic washes brilliantly and there’s a fabulous cardigan with a fox face on the back that’s still doing the rounds 8 years later! We have steered her a little bit with favourite colours, and unicorns have been added to the repertoire, We are regularly asked where we get them, even when they’re not fashionable colours.
If it fits, let them wear it!

I really like them! But obviously everyone has different tastes, so I would find some patterns that you like and then enthusiastically give her them, telling her how talented she is and would she kindly make them for you and if she has the time.

Ahh they’re gorgeous but I love a hand knitted jumper. I also have more than one member of my family who is a keen knitter and received many, many items for my children particularly when babies. Most recently it has moved more towards crocheted items. I think my knitters just love the process and I passed lots on to charity shops and hope they are loved by those who buy them. I wouldn’t give it too much thought, just say thank you and then donate. I much preferred the knitted items to the big bags of used clothes I was constantly given by family members who were decluttering.

When my mum went a bit bonkers during Covid and I decided to try and keep her busy, I found a project where knitters made hats for premature babies in hospitals. Maybe you could suggest something like that to keep her busy in between cardigans and help spread them out a bit more. As you say, it’s a shame for someone to be wasting their time and talent where the items won’t be utilised…

The pink and white jumper and hat are rather lovely. I can see why you might not be so keen on the others.

I’ve received much much worse from my MIL and just said ‘thanks’ then put them in the bin. For these I would keep hold until DC have outgrown and then give to a charity shop.

But definitely get onto ravelry and choose some specific patterns that you would be happy to receive. Make sure you specify the colours you’d like. Once you’ve found a nice pattern on there you can look at other people’s ‘projects’ to see lots of pictures of it in different colours. Or if that sounds a bit of a faff then send the knitter a picture of something from a shop and ask if they could recreate?

I thought the pink and white jersey and hat was quite inoffensive but not keen on the others. I must say I was expecting hot pink or bright orange.

I really like them!

Agree, and my kids have always absolutely loved them as soon as they've been old enough to show any preference. We have a family friend who has made stuff for ours in the past and it's so kind. My kids like bright colours, they've had green, pink, red, blue cardigans, all sorts, and loved them all!

My last post should have read

They welcome all levels of knitting and crocheting. There are projects you can sew for, though.

A friend of mine raises money for our local maternity hospital. Before the OP suggests that your relative knits for a baby ward, it might be a good idea to contact someone there to ask what's needed.

Or you can thank her for what she's knitted in the past, say that your children are getting a bit old for handknits now and recommend Woolly Hugs. ♥ She can choose the project she feels most sympathetic towards. They welcome all levels of knitting and sewing. If finance is an issue, they raise money so they can provide yarn if it's needed.