baby blanket - how to and how big?

[grumblepuss]

I'm going to be an auntie.
I'd like to make my sister in-law and the baby a blanket, I've got six months and counting...
But I'm not sure what the best way to go about this is... Crochet? One big piece or little squares? How big should I make it?
Or quilting? I've got a sewing machine which can do basic stitches.

Maybe big enough for the baby to sit and play on?

Any advice greatfully received. Or websites to have a nosy around and wool/material shops?

Congratulations!

I'm a crocheter and would make a crochet blanket either in one piece in stripes or using the join-as-you-go method for squares. There is loads of inspiration on the Attic24 blog as well as instruction for join-as-you-go. If you make squares then you can just keep going until you are fed up or run out of time. I have to admit that I hate sewing up so prefer blanket making methods that avoid this . Take a look at the MN woolly hugs page on a FB for inspiration for colour combinations.

I would probably use a washable yarn if the blanket is for everyday use. Stylecraft special DK comes in lots of lovely colours in pastel shades or bright colours. Baby Bamboo DK is lovely too and has a great range of shades.

If you are making something that falls more into the "heirloom" category then Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino is a lovely yarn that is soft to handle but it needs more delicate washing as it contains merino and cashmere.

Attic24

Baby Cashmerino

Stylecraft Special

Baby Bamboo

Congratulations!

I have had some lovely things knitted for my sons - 2ft by 3ft plain stitch blanket has been the most used to wrap up DS2 (born in Dec). My aunt knit a pram blanket which I used while he was in the carrycot a lot (he's 15weeks and grew out of it at 12wks). It has cable patterns on it and I'm going to felt it slightly and make it into a cushion cover to prolong it's life.

I also find easy to put on tank tops and cardigans are vv useful when the weather starts to get cooler. September could still be quite warm, but maybe worth having a go at the Puerperium baby cardigan on Ravelry (it's a free pattern for a very simple cardigan)

Sirdar have brought out a baby blanket book No 320 with 17 patterns both knitted and crocheted, both easy and quite difficult.

I made this one all in white for a newborn which went down really well.

As you can quilt, I would wait until the baby is 6 months old, and as a second gift, collect all the precious newborn babygros and make those into a memory patchwork quilt. My DNphew is 5 and still loves his

Have you looked at the Ravelry website for patterns? I quite often spend hours on there looking for inspiration and yarn ideas and many are free to download.

I love expensive yarns, but wouldn't recommend them for baby things. As I found out to my cost, new mums need stuff that will happily go in the washing machine and don't need too much pampering. The Stylecraft Special yarn is very good for a relatively cheap acrylic and the Sirdar Snuggly yarns are great for baby blankets with some lovely colours. King Cole Cotton Bamboo is nice too.