Hand knitted baby items - would you use on baby?

[stripeyshutters]

My nephew's partner is going to be having a baby. Do people still use hand knitted items or is it just too old fashioned now? I mean things like attached images.

They look lovely. We didn’t use hand knitted for DT’s as they may need hand washing whereas all babygros etc went in one wash together.

Would these not be too warm?

We do. They're lovely and cosy. I love the little cardies that my DGM knitted for the DCs 😍

It varies. Some people love and value than, some think they are old fashioned.

Hats, mittens and blankets are probably the ‘safest’ in terms of being used, cardigans and jackets less so.

It’s a lovely thought, though, and I hope they appreciate you.

I had visions of the sort of horrors my Nan knitted me in the 90s. These are gorgeous and timeless!

I'd say blankets and cardigans yes- sleeping bag and hat - no.

Do babies not go outside?

My children are young adults so I don't know about parents now but I always loved hand knitted items. The knowledge that someone had spent time making something for my child made me so happy. They always wore the items and they just went in the normal wash and seemed fine.

They were lighter wool and an open knit so maybe more old fashioned that your examples but a nice extra layer for a baby

It depends. If they're made from natural fibers they should be cosy but still "breatheable", so better than (say) one of those fleecy blankets (which will usually be 100% polyester, ie plastic!)

We got more use out of hand knitted blankets than clothes.

When I crochet baby blankets for friends & relations, I always use yarns that can be washed in the machine & tumble dried, and include the band from the yarn with washing instructions on.

I made crocheted and knitted items for a family member's two babies- 2 cardigans and a cot blanket each and the mum was delighted with them and used them. I stuck to classic designs in plain colours.

DM spent weeks knitting shawls for my DC. They are beautiful and large enough that the DC can use them as shawls as adults.

How old is his partner?

I am 29, I found blankets nicer thank the clothing/sleepsuits

I would and my sister would use them too. They are beautiful.

Yes absolutely, my mum, mil, aunt made loads and still using new ones from them at 18mo. So cute too.

Id echo above advice about making sure it's machine washable and tumble dryer friendly - someone gave us a gorgeous cashmere jumper (bought not made) and I accidentally ruined it after wear #2

I did yes, cardigans, blankets and hats were the most useful and I loved that family members had spent time making them, I also didn't mind hand washing them. But I would ask your nephew to check with his partner re style and colour and whether she is ok with knitted things (and make it clear you won't be offended if she says no!) as people have strong views on this. My relatives checked with me first re patterns which I really appreciated as some they were proposing I would never dress my DC in whereas others were lovely so I'm glad I got the chance to choose and it meant they got worn a lot rather than just once for the photo op!

I make a lot of things for my granddaughters, my DIL will often request things and says he friends will often comment, she’s even had people stop her in the supermarket and ask about things.

the blankets go down very well the midwives and health visitors have liked them because they are warm and breathable. I use yarn that’s machine and tumble dry.

the sleep suit bag was really used mostly in the pram for going out not indoors. You can get patterns which are using in the car seat which open up when in the car and do up when moving into the house which my DIL really loved and I have done on numerous occasions since for friends baby’s .

My DM knitted some lovely cardigans and blankets for my DC when they were babies. She used wool that could go in the washer with some delicate detergent. I love the sight of babies in hand knitted clothes 😍 but maybe I'm old fashioned as well! We use them as extra layers when leaving the house so they never really got that dirty anyway.

Clothes/blankets I most certainly would, sleeping bag thing (as cute as it is) no, due to impracticality. I would always check beforehand though as I know some mums wouldn't from the offset.

I used the hand knitted blankets and hats lots for my winter twins. The cardigans and the booties didn't get used at all.

Definitely. Cardigans can be great, just make sure they aren't lacy around the sleeves so the baby can get fingers stuck in the holes - also they need quite loose sleeves to fit over babygrows.

Although that sleeping bag looks cute, I wouldn't go for it. It's an awful lot of work - and probably quite expensive in terms of yarn - for something the baby will grow out of very quickly.

Yes, but not if they’ve got to be hand washed. If they can be tumble-dried as well as machine-washed, that’s even better.

You might really come into your own in a couple of years time - toddlers love clothes with their favourite animal, train etc. on them. My children (7 and 9) still love the knitted hats they get each year from a grandma who lets them choose what animal they want on the front. She either knits it into the hat or crochets an appliqué piece that she then sews on.

I sell both knitted and crochet items. They sell really well.

I really liked hand knitted cardigans as they are stretchier than shop bought ones and easier to get tiny arms in that shop bought ones that have no give.

Blankets very useful as are hats. I wouldn't want the knitted sleeping bag as I've no idea what tog it is, so when it might be too hot or cold to leave baby in

I never used mittens indoors but they might be useful for a winter baby. I opted for fleece lined ones though to make sure they were warm enough.