How do you guys HONESTLY feel about handknitted/homemade baby gifts/garments etc?

[Filly4LOOP]

I really want to know.

Does it put you under an obligation that you don't like?

Or do you love it that someone has taken the time and trouble to knit something especially for your baby?

I tend toward this sort of thing if it makes a difference.

Thoughts? I don't want to be giving people stuff they don't want and have suddenly become paranoid.

bumperlicious, if you want to learn to knit, a giant quite plain thing is the way forward. Scarf? Blanket? Something in that line. There are excellent knitting videos on this site. And lots of MNers always seem to be learning to knit.

what's merino, is it pure wool? Itchy?

Filly4Loop I am very lucky my mother is a fantastic knitter and enjoys it so she took me to the wool shop so I could choose the sort of thing I liked and now she's steaming along making a whole wardrobe!.

Debbie Bliss does some fantastic modern but very lovely things. They are also very practical as the wool is baby cashmerino so it's uber soft but can be washed in the machine at 40 degrees. My mum has already made an all in one suit for me from her and a couple of jumpers.

Zoe Mellor also has some really lovely modern things and her blankets are just beautiful.

I think that having something knitted for you and your baby is lovely it makes it unique and you know that you won't walk down the street with every other mum having brought it!. As you can probably tell I like modern things though! Those booties are so cute!.

Merino is a type of wool, but not scratchy at all. I can't stand regular wool, makes me itch something fierce, but merino is fine.

Thanks NQC, will investigate my local wool shop.

I can't bear the feel of wool (makes me really cringe), but if someone has knitted something in cotton I think itis really lovely that they have put some thought and effort into it. The clothes that you could get from Little Badger were lovely (I think it has gone out of business now).

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I like tasteful, modern knitted jackets and cardi's. My mum is a fantastic knitter and so is my gran. We have a beautiful circle 3ply (very soft) knitted family shawl. I am one of 7 and Mum has knitted one for every first child of all of us. Plus the many she has had requests to do for friends that have seen ours. They are just gorgeous. I am not so keen on knitted things for boys, the odd hoody cardi maybe but my dd (18mths) has lots of pretty cardigans for over her dresses. They must be plain and pretty though, don't do fussy, stripey, multicoloured, bobbles, tassels etc....

I haven't read the whole thread, sorry but I do like the booties in your picture, they are quite fussy and not everyday wear but they are classic and IMO make an ideal newborn gift.

I do have friends though that will use a blanket or shawl but would not let their children be seen in a knitted garment of clothing?

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I'd be touched that someone has gone to all that trouble on ds's behalf (think we've only ever had two hand-knitted things when he was a baby and appreciated both of them).

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The shoes are lovely btw but I'd keep them for best and then probably forget I'd got them.

I think home-knitted stuff is inevitable if you have knitters in the family. My DS will be in combats and hoodies when he's born, but his gran (my MIL) and my nan are both planning to knit stuff.
I'm touched they want to make the gesture, really. And he can wear it when he goes to visit them...

Sorry must add, I put that I don't like multicoloured, I meant as in lots of different coloured wools, youknow, like thomas tank engine jumpers etc.... I do love the multicolourd yarns though and funky fur is very fun.

My colleague's wife knitted ds a beautiful baby blanket. I was incredibly touched - I don't really have parents to give/pass down homemade things to ds and ILs don't do that sot of thing. I deeply envy friends whose mothers knit for their children.

I had hods of this stuff for both of mine and loved it. Matinee jackets, bootees, leggings, whole outfits. In every colour. Gorgeous and twee and funny.

I LOVE hand made and hand knitted baby gifts. We have been lucky enough to have a few and I treasure them. I only feel bad if DS didnt wear them but the weather wasnt appropriate for one thing we were given. But a knitted hat, cardi, and baby blanket have been god sends! I love them!

Ok, wtf is a matinee jacket? Do babies go to a lot of matinees? I am off to one with DS1 today, and am worried now about outfits!

I love them, I feel completely overwhelmed that someone has thought enough of me or my baby to spend time making something. I was the only person in my antenatal group that thought that way though everyone else thought handknitts etc were naff.

My mum knitted quite a few cardies for Dd1 when I was pregnant and I used them all, they were great for putting on over a babygro of t'shirt in the summer. I used them again for Dd2 aswell.

Am not keen on anything else knitted though.

like cardies but wouldnt like trousers etc!

I love the thought and the time put into them but in all honesty most of knits we've been given have been unwearably naff. I'd love to be able to choose some designs and wood gladly buy the wool - I even bought some nice debbie bliss books second hand -but I've been too embarassed to give them to the knitters in our family because I'd be scared of offending. Guess I'm worried it smacks of expectation and ingratitude. But a nice blanket is a great idea...

i think they are lovely. i probably wouldn't put lo in them but have them as a keepsake as they are so nice.