What was the best handmade thing you had for your baby?

[GreyDuck]

I'm expecting my first baby at the end of the summer and am getting quite excited. I'd love to make some things for the baby and am looking for inspiration. I enjoy planning and shopping almost as much as making, so am trying not to get too carried away.
What did you make / receive for your babies that you actually liked and used? Was there anything that was a total flop?
Thank you for any suggestions

A classic blanket for a baby is Sirdar 3806, its a leaf pattern with a lace edge. Been around since the 70's and still beautiful. I knit it for every new baby in the family, I think each baby deserves an heirloom piece.

I knitted this when I was pregnant with my daughter. When she was born I sewed fine lilac ribbon and seed pearls in the middle where the leaves met. I also lined it and used it as a top cover on her crib and pram.

My dhs gm was still alive at the time, and she knitted them some beautiful blankets for their Christinings. Also, some beautiful cardigans.

Miss her so much ❤️

Yes I have seen that done, its really pretty. It was originally a pram blanket. I was given it as a gift for my son 21 years ago and decided to knit it myself for my daughter

Fintress that sounds lovely.
Andy I didn't realise it was done in individual squares, I think I'll try that

My dm didn't stick to a particular design for our blankets. They are very simple. I doubt she used a pattern but you can still see the work in them

I agree about what pp say about size. The hand towel size was very handy but she did bigger ones and smaller ones too. Ie one for our bed and one for the pushchair they now as toddlers push their toys around in which is tea towel size. It's about the fact that they've stayed as soft despite being washed millions of times at all kinds of temperatures.

The yarn is really important. I found normal acrylic too scratchy for my PFB. I didn't want to spend loads either. Discovered Patons Smoothie which is so very soft. I made hats and dribble bibs. PFB went through 3 or 4 dribble bibs a day at times.

Ahh I had that leaf blanket when I was a baby, we had it in squares of white, baby pink and baby blue. Very 80s :)

It depends what style you're planning to dress your baby in. I was given a lot of traditional knitted cardigans, leggings and hats in white and pale blue which DS never wore because they were old fashioned. I preferred more contemporary clothes - tiny jeans, joggers, hoodies and tshirts or jumpers. He did get a lot of wear out of knitted beanie hats in contemporary colours like grey, mustard and navy. A pram size blanket or quilt would also have been useful.