homemade presents/hamper for SIL and new baby.

[qazxc]

My DSIL is having a baby in september (don't know the sex). I want to get started on present for her and baby. I'm fairly good at crochet and a novice knitter. I've done a baby blanket so far. Has anybody got any ideas on what else would be good and/or useful. It doesn't have to be all handmade, i was thinking of making a gift basket for baby and another one for her. I've not have any children so don't know what would be nice/ useful.

Sorry not september , December.

But white muslin squares and dye them some cool colours and then edge them with ribbon?

Nice baby massage balm

Ear plugs

Baby hat, really easy to knit in the round, look on raveley.com

Nice chutney/pickles/jam and nice biscuits

A photo frame

Baby shoes are really easy to make, check out Pinterest

A free babysitting gift voucher

A meal to stick in the freezer

Nice chocolates

How about some home-made pamper gifts? I don't have any specific recipes myself, but there are loads online, I am sure.

And what about some home made cakes or biscuits - little ones that will be one or two bites, so your SIL can have some snacks on hand that she can grab easily whilst feeding the baby - little indulgent morsels that are healthy (in terms of being made of natural ingredients, not low fat/low cal)?

You could crochet some baskets (for nappies/cotton wool etc) out of brightly coloured garden twine - I recently made a basket from bright pink twine I got from Paperchase, and it only took me a day. I'm sure there are patterns for baskets online - I have seen a number on Pinterest.

This is a lovely thing you are doing for your SIL.

We got given a hamper and the best things in it I thought were things like teething gel, metanium cream, calpol and weaning spoons, Giant bar of chocolate. Things I'd not thought of buying.

Tiny little hats. They're gorgeous. And little cardigans if you can make them (sorry I have no idea about knitting). DS got a few sets of matching hats and cardis knitted by my friend and I it was the cutest thing ever! Sleepsuit cardi hat combo is the cutest ever.

I make wooden hand painted memory/keepsake boxes. They are quite easy to do and look beautiful. Pm me if you want to do one I can give you some pointers if you like.

I have linked to this baby hat pattern three times this week - I promise I'm not on commission

I love this for newborns and have made it (without the flowers) in baby cashmerino for all the babies in my family in the last 3 years. I do it in garter stitch on two needles and sew it up at the end because I struggle to get my head around small numbers of stitches on a circular needle.

Perhaps your SIL would appreciate a crochet wrap. If she is planning to BF it would be handy to wrap round her shoulders to keep her warm during the winter night feeds. I fed in bed and kept a cardi nearby if my top half got cold when I was sitting up. Also an insulated mug - I drank lots of lukewarm tea as my DCs seemed to decide that the minute the kettle boiled was feeding time.

My sister made a baby hamper for me for each of my babies and included a big soft towel. The hooded towels are very cute but the regular towels are more practical and DS is still using his at nearly 7.

I know this is sewing and not knitting or crocheting but I made a tag blanket for a friend and then myself and the little babies loved them so much that it has become my staple for baby gifts.

I use a fleece side and then a soft jersey or cotton side and have ribbons along the edging. Not a novel idea but easy enough to make if you have a machine.