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?

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.

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

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

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It's interesting how different definitions of "outdated" and "garish" are.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!

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

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.

Actually I would say your examples are very modern but I do understand your pain. Home knitted items however beautiful are outdated for little ones these days I would think. Feel that you can donate these to somewhere which will welcome them. Dont take them to your local charity shop! Start with the ones you've had the longest length of time!

If I didn't like them (I do) I'd probably get wool and a pattern and ask if she'd knit a specific thing. If she refused then I'd be inclined to think oh well, she's knitting these things to please herself, not me, so I'll not feel bad about not using/disposing of.

I was going to suggest Debbie Bliss too. Her designs are lovely, and you can.buy the books second hand as PP says. Revelry is also a great suggestion.

The person is obviously an excellent knitter and handk its on good quality yarns cost a fortune commercial rally (if you can even find them).

I agree that I was expecting the examples to look far worse. But if you dont like them, I would try to harness your relative's skills sensitively by guiding her to things you would prefer.

I love them although, the pink and black cardigan did remind me of a pink liquorice allsort.

It's very sweet they do this, I actually like those peices! Since my husband's ex's step grandmother died there's been no knitting for my babies

As someone who struggled with learning to knit, I admire people who are 'handy' in this way. Your relative has the raw talent and enthusiasm but just needs to be politely ushered in a different direction - alternative wool, patterns and sizing advice can easily be provided.

The idea of a sort of retro photoshoot for the children comes to mind. Ban soulless branded apparel and bring in handmade items knitted with love.

I do feel for you. I would put them away in a black bin liner for say six months and then pass them onto a charity. They will always be useful to someone, or perhaps donate to a clothes bank. You can always say to the knitter that the children prefer to wear their own choice of clothes now and perhaps suggest a local charity she can knit for. I am a bit like that with my blankets but just donate them to any charity that will have them. It gives me pleasure and may prove useful to someone.

This is such nonsense. Everyone dresses their children in clothes they like. Doesn't mean they're in fancy outfits, maybe just a sleepsuit they like the pattern of. As has been repeated so many times on the thread, loads of babies have more clothes than they can wear because of all the gifts. Why in the morning when getting them dressed would you choose something you don't like over something you do? We even had an excess of nursery clothes.

The pink jumper is lovely!

I love a knitted cardigan or hat for my wee one and really appreciate that it takes effort and skill to do. My mum was a great knitter and passed before I had my daughter and I’d have loved her to have hand knitted items from her gran.

The pink and white is cute but the others I don’t like and I’d feel the same guilt so would donate and hopefully someone gets use from them as clearly from the responses some people do like them.

I'd wear those in adult size! I like them! Ha ha. However, I was born a few decades ago so probably my tastes are dated as well.

I think the things in the photo are a lot nicer than most shop bought items, and are one offs. My mum used to knit and sew exquisite clothes for my daughter which I really appreciated and loved. I’ve still got them all packed away and could never part with them.

Knitting yarn can be expensive, so she might actually be pleased if you buy the wool in the colour and texture of your choice.
The actual garments are sweet for a baby/toddler and would look lovely in softer colours ( although the pink edged with white is lovely) .
I was always envious ( with a small e) of people who had knitters in the family!!

Oops! I am the knitter! I can’t afford the yarn or patterns but use what people give me. When I knit on the train someone always asks me to knit one for them, I do, they pay. Previously I used to sell half and give half for charity, they sell well at Christmas fairs. So pop them in a bag, give me them back and I will give them to folk that like them.

I think the pink jumper and matching hat is super cute! My mum knitted a lot of stuff for mine and my sisters babies. I got old fashioned stuff sometimes but some lovely cotton cardigans and she used to knit the most gorgeous little booties which were very tasteful and cute. The things I didn’t like or didn’t fit, we just didn’t use. She’s knitting some fab stuff at the moment for another baby in the family (photo attached). I do think providing some pics of what you like would be helpful maybe?

They're not my taste, but not offensive. And when mine were small I was greatful for any gift that saved me money in clothing. I'd say they were perfect for a cold day spent playing outside or wearing to nursery.

But if items are given out of season in in too small sizes, that's just wasteful.
If I was close with this family member, I'd head out shopping with them to buy wool or cotton yarn and work with them to find a pattern and sizing we both liked.

I was expecting neon green and yellow or something like that. These designs are OK for babies. I agree that if you want something special buy the pattern and wool for her.

My dc only wear second hand clothes. They wear what is clean and warm. I don't understand trying to push your style preferences onto them.

Nope, I think they're lovely too. Far more individual than wearing clone clothes.