Dislike knitted baby gifts from family member

No, I wouldn't like it either. I am also a skilled knitter but I am aware of more modern patterns and wool that don't look like these items but even despite that, I don't knit for people. I offer to knit for them if they see something they like. I can pretty much knit anything but I don't use acrylic, only pure wool.

I got a hideous matinee jacket for my first baby in the most plasticy acrylic. People saying 'oh it's just a baby' what does it matter? Well babies get a LOT of clothes. I never got through all mine so I certainly never needed to resort to putting my kids in clothes I didn't like.

Just realised what the colours and pattern remind me of: liquorice allsorts!

Actually, if it were large enough, Id wear the pink & white outfit! Although it looks a bit polyesterish/acrylic wool, and I won't wear plastic. But the cable knitting is gorgeous.

It's interesting how different definitions of "outdated" and "garish" are. The examples in the photo seem pretty standard designs, and the colours are pretty muted. I was imagining whirls of purple, green, and orange!

Honestly I love anything hand knitted! I think the pink ones adorable. Thank the person take a picture and pass it on if it’s no use to you x

I was expecting something really bright, I like them and wish my Nan was still around to knit for me

Ah my Nan did similar when my daughter was born. She was just knitting endless cardigans in a pink colour I really didn’t like. The designs were from the 80s so very dated indeed.

My baby was a summer born so it was just too hot anyway!

She eventually knitted this super cute hoody in a pink I picked out and she got so much wear out of it that I was able to request the same again in different sizes.

I thought about buying her a pattern but my mum said she won’t do it. She’s very stuck in her ways.

I hated feeling ungrateful but I just didn’t use them ever unfortunately.

The pink one is beautiful! You will come along as very rude if you say anything. Just take a photo of them in it then store away in a vacuum pack if you really don’t want them.

LOL I actually like them! I would just thank them and pass on a charity shop.

I'm with you op, I'm not keen on the designs and personally have sensory issues with the feel of the wool. I have a family member that insists on making them for my child, despite me asking them not to. I end up keeping them in a drawer to be forgotten about by all.

I think they are lovely and very well knitted. I don’t see how they are garish at all. They would probably be quite expensive in a shop

No, unfortunately acrylic yarn can't be dyed.

How lovely that someone in your family puts so much thought and effort into your children!
I personally love a knitted jumper etc
If the child is too young to care/get bullied then I would personally use anything that was size and weather appropriate and donate anything that isn't.
Maybe keep a few items back as keepsakes for when your child is grown up and wants to have fond memories of auntie Flo to remember her by

My DD is a paediatric nurse- knitted items are removed from babies and toddlers if admitted. They can be dangerous.
Babies fingers can become easily trapped in gaps in a knitted garment, cutting circulation. My DD has witnessed several finger amputations due to blood constriction caused by knitted clothes.
My elderly mother is a knitter and has been knitting blankets for our local cat rescue centre. They won't accept knitted blankets- too dangerous.

I like them too.

I agree. I think those are really sweet and not garish!

We bought a new pattern book for a beloved knitter in our family - the delicate white cardigans she made were lovely on a newborn, but her toddler patterns were much more dated. A new pattern book, and the offer of buying the yarn or making colour suggestions (I'd love a cardigan in this colour to go with a couple of outfits she has) - and once the children were old enough them being asked and having a say meant we benefitted from knitwear our children enjoyed wearing.

They look fine to me. I thought they were the examples of what the OP would prefer!

I thought the same!! I think they are quite neutral! I was expecting purple and green spots or something!

I feel I am an anomaly here but my babies and small children would have spit up on or spilled on clothes so quickly that as long as it was clean I really don't care what they are wearing!

I think the colours and patterns are nice and it must have taken alot of work.

Yeah the colours are awful.

Luckily my mil does actually ask me about most colours as she knows I’m “fussy”
I did get one gross one. She hadn’t enough of one colour so bordered it with a bright pink that just didn’t match. I used it as a mucky cardi. I’d donate to a local charity.

I’m curious as to the age of some of the people you’re referring to. Like comments like in the old days people had to make do with unraveling wool etc. I’m well into my sixties, my grandmother was a mum during war and post war times and very much used every strand of wool she could. She would have been over 100 now! I grew up knitting gorgeous French style cotton and mohair stuff and I’m pretty fussy about wool. I’m just a bit intrigued. Sorry to have gone off topic though 😞

they arent anywhere near as offensive as the post indicated

Highly subjective. Op does not like them, so they are to her and she has requested this person to adapt to her choice of colour but the knitter is not willing to.

Op didn’t say they are elderly.

Obviously a lot of talent but not much taste.

Can these items be dyed? Like darker/ neutral colour?

I was going to suggest a blanket too, they take longer but would be a practical alternative.

We have the same issue with my mum and her friend. My mum crochets and friend knits.
The crochet is outdated and garish colours. Mum does it to pass the time and keep her hands moving but she makes hundreds of blankets and then doesn't know what to do with them. My friend has just had a baby, she gave her 5 (she won't use them).
The knitter again garish old fashioned garments , knitted toys, tissue box covers, toilet roll cover, it makes me cringe so much. They have 5 bags of stuff to give me for my schools Xmas fayre and told me the other day there is more on the way.ive told them there is too much and I can't accept any more. They are so kind and so clever at it too but these things won't sell, they are from the 1970s!! I am sorry to admit that I won't even be giving them to the school. I end up keeping everything them slowly distributing it around charity shops far away that she won't go into and see!!