Baby Knitting - Help please!

[greentshirt]

Hi All

I have just ordered a debbie bliss book for my DHs nana to knit us some baby bits. I believe the yarn used in debbie bliss books is quite expensive so just wondering what I should get - shall I follow the book to the letter or are there some generic types of wool that I can buy for her to use? Im wanting to make her a little box for xmas of the book and some wool so probably need to choose the wool before we really get a good look at the book!

Im completely clueless when it comes to this sort of thing so any help much appreciated, thank you

DB's yarns are expensive - they are lovely, though. You can definitely substitute with cheaper alternatives.

I think most of her patterns are done in double knit yarn (that's the weight or thickness of the yarn) - if you can remember the name of the book we can look the patterns up on Ravelry to know for sure.

Some people have an aversion to synthetic fibres in the yarn, although modern yarns are not like the plastic ones you used to get back in the day. If you want to go for a cheaper, all wool substitute I'd go for something like King Cole Merino Blend or the Rowan is on special offer, this would be my choice. If you don't mind some synthetic yarn, I think the Stylecraft is popular, and I like Paton's Smoothie.

By the way, don't be tempted to go for one of the many vari-coloured yarns, like the very lovely Baby Crofter, until you know what your DH's nana is going to knit. It makes me v sad when I see examples on Ravelry of people who've taken the time to do a fairly complicated pattern with cables and it's been completely overwhelmed by the colours in the yarn. Vari-colour can look lovely, but stick to a plain colour if you're not sure.

Thanks tribpot, much appreciated, I will have a look at those links. The book is called baby essentials or something like that. I quite like cable knits so will probs ask her to do something like that first. No preference over real wool and synthetic yarn and I like grey so there wont be any wild colour choices getting involved!

Is it Essential Baby? No cables in there, although some cute patterns. My fave is the Shawl Collar sweater, which is actually in an Aran weight (a bit thicker than double knit). So it varies by pattern.

I should mention, your DH's nana may well be of a generation that thinks baby stuff should be (a) white and (b) knit with very, very fine yarn. She may have a bit of mental adjustment to do to see aran as a valid yarn for baby stuff. Just tell her it is normal now :)

If any of the patterns call for Baby Cashmerino (which is lush, but a bit pricey) then I've found Sirdar Snuggly is a really good substitute. It's 100% acrylic so easy to wash and dry but it's also really soft and well, snuggly! And it comes in lots of lovely colours, including the variegated Crofter that tribpot linked to.

Oh bugger. When I linked to Paton's Smoothie I meant Sirdar Snuggly, BornToFolk! Oops! Yes, it's lovely.

Drops yarn is more reasonably priced.

www.garnstudio.com/lang/en/yarns.php

There are three different thicknesses (weights?) of merino yarn to choose from, these are very soft, 100 percent wool, but machine washable.

For something a bit more special, the baby alpacca silk or alpacca is very nice (the alpacca "sheds" a bit, but is super soft)

For the Baby Cashmerino patterns there is not much to substitute, it's an unusual thickness. The colours are gorgeous though, and it knits up into lovely garments that will go on for many babies to come. Everything I've knitted in this I've felt was worth the effort IYSWIM. I would encourage you to try at least one project.

DK and Aran patterns you can substitute fairly easily with other "DK" or "Aran" yarns: if you can find another machine washable yarn you like the colour of - agree Sirdar Snuggly and King Cole anti-tickle merino are both good.

Blankets are quite good to ask for as they don't get outgrown!

Just wanted to say thanks for all of the responses, very useful for a total novice like me!

I'm off out to get the wool today so will report back with what I get!