Dislike knitted baby gifts from family member

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A member of our family continuously knits baby gifts for our children, there is not usually much consideration for appropriate seasons regards to age/sizing and the patterns/colours are always quite garish. We feel awful because there is clearly a lot of time and effort gone into these. The person is a beautiful knitter however she will not take any suggestions on colours, or doing a more neutral/single colour piece that would mean it can be paired with other items.

We are left with sooo many items piling up unused, many are completely inappropriate sizing so they are zero use to us. However the ones that may fit are always wild patterns or very dated styles. Photo is just recent examples

We have tried to talk to this person many times but as mentioned before they do not listen. I feel pressured to quietly donate many of them because we simply do not have the space to store so many unused items, and I would hope someone else can appreciate and get some use out of them

Our last ditch attempt is suggesting a specific pattern book so hopefully this works, do you have any suggestions? Am I being unreasonable, are these examples nice?

That's not garish. The hat and jumper combo is cute and such a basic style that it's never "old fashioned"

The brown is a muted colour and for a small child/baby, really does it matter if its a little older fashioned? It's not like it looks hideously old

The pink, due to the colours even though the pattern is the same, gives me Jackie Kennedy vibes

I expected some hideously neon creations

Not muted pink, white and brown!

Definitely agree it's not what I'd call garish

Possibly, but not necessarily. Knitters/crocheters are often advised to use acrylic as it's easy to care for. That may be why many school jumpers are made from synthetic fibres.

Lovely wool things may need hand washing, although superwash wool doesn't. Cotton will usually go in a washing machine, but often takes ages to dry, so are less likely to be worn/used than acrylic.

Most Woolly Hugs projects ask for acrylic, with the group projects specifying which one. It's mostly only the special blankets made for a one person (often a MNetter, or relation of one) which use anything else.

It doesn't take me long to knit a baby blanket in 4 ply, but I no longer have children to look after. One good thing about blankets is they fit many sizes - but you probably don't need any, OP.

If you let us know what sort of thing you might use, then perhaps we can give better pattern suggestions. Cardigans, coats, leggings? What age/size child would your family member knit for? An alternative is to ask for a knitted teddy or doll, and then they can keep making clothes for it to wear.

Just to let you know, we love it! DD2 wore all of DD1’s knitted stuff from my Nan, who is sadly no longer able to knit or crochet. They’re treasured items and hold a lot of love & sentimental value for me. And the jumpers and cardys look so lovely over their sleep suits in winter. We have 2 winter born babies so very practical.

The pink and white cable one is darling.

How about suggesting to the relative that she knits for the local baby ward at hospital? My friend knits teddies and also does
tiny hats and 'sleeves' for catheters to keep them away from delicate skin. Best to phone and ask if they can do it first though. It might distract the relative. Lovely knitting I must say, so off to the charity shop with them.

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.

My last post should have read

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

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!

I really like them!

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.

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?

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…

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

dress the kid as a liquorish all sorts for halloween

I love those colours and designs!

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

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

I really like them.

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

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.

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.