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.

I love 'em. Still have the booties Miaou knitted - they're SO sweet!

JARM, your dad finishing the shawl for Jess is a lovely, lovely story [sob]

NQC, lovin' your work!

And Filly, I love the booties in the link in the OP - gorgeous!

oh and i like the first link to the knitted toys.

my mums friend is a knitter and has knitted ds lots of things, but a lot of it has gone unworn cos i didn't like it. - mint green and lemon yuck! also the matinee jackets were never worn - i find them a bit old fashioned. in the end i gave her a list!

no bobbles, no ribbon, no tassles.

for a boy - only red, navy, brown, khaki, white imo.

for a girl - i would consider the yucky pastel colours i mentioned above.

It never bothered me that the outfits were old-fashioned and twee, IMO little babies somehow are old-fashioned and twee , they look like little grannies.

It's seeing tiny babies in jeans and denim skirts and little teenagers' clothes that sets my teeth on edge.

agree with greensleeves. and it is ok even if it's not particularly tasteful or debby bliss like. I used a blanket that my grandmother knitted for me, when I was born.

see i like the debbie bliss i think they are quite modern. tbh i can't see what is wrong with a baby in jeans. ds was born in the summer and had loads of short denim dungarees. i draw the line at low cut tops and high heel shoes on 2 day old babies though

sorry, just seen this acrylics? what's wrong with wool?

Oh, Greeny, totally agree. Fecking newborn sized "outfits" in denim with masses of embroidery and pockets - wtf?!

little badger knitting patterns here

if it is cotton or wool (or nylon) and you don't like it-you can dye it, you know

agree with greenytha, babies should look twee, for they are

Yes yes yes Filly, handknitted gifts are lovely. And if you have good taste how can you be paranoid about giving stuff to people?

I really appreciate the thought, time, effort and love that goes into a present like that. And I suspect the giver gets a lot out of it too.

You can't beat a white knitted matinee jacket, freshly laundered. The smell and feel of it makes me broody!

I'm currently pg with my first and have so far knitted lots of things for her. Both grandmas, my Mum, MIL, aunts, my brother (6 foot tattooed power lifter) and friends have all whipped out their needles. It's almost a given that this will happen whenever any of us get pregnant. So far I have crocheted a blanket- lots of little squares stitched together, knitted a teddy-bear and a bagpuss, made lots and lots of hats, cardigans, bootees, mittens and jumpers, made three slings and a patchwork throw for the nursery.

Personally, I love hand-made gifts and clothes but only give them as presents if I know the Mum and Dad will appreciate them too.

And in terms of tweeness, I'm knitting a Debbie Bliss tam-o-shanter atm!

dd was given loads of hand-knitted stuff, some things made just for her and some stuff passed on from a friend who had two dd's.

I loved it all, so much more individual - yes "gorgeous and twee" but fab!

JARM, what a lovely Dad you've got

I love knitted stuff, my Mum is an excellent knitter and seamstress (made all my Aunts wedding dress / bridesmaid dresses) and the stuff she makes is lovely, MIL bought stuff from a similarly talented friend. I still buy DS3 hand knitted things from ebay too, I just like the crafty style- but then I cross stitched monograms onto D-sis's baby things (I knew boy or girl the initial would be J) so I would like it wouldn't I?

SOH- love the image of your DB! My Grandad learned to embroider whilst a Prisoner of War- and knit too. Very manly IMO.

Filly your taste is fantaatic,, i wish i could knit, i am sure you could make a business out of it!bootees/shoes and toys are beautiful

Tasteful cardigans and jumpers are brill I think, probably the best thing to do is give people the choice out of a few patterns as people have different tastes.

i like knitted cardigans, jumpers, toys, blankets, gloves, hats but not trousers, dresses etc.

ooh this is hard then

so people generally like knitted toys? what about stuff like this?

I like them BUT I had them as a kid so am not neutral

and robbotsmum you are most kind and lovely. come over to the knitting chat and we will nurture you through learning to knit.

oh yes like those

personally not keen on knitted toys because as i had all girls you are just generally inundated with soft toys and at the end of the day just take up space.

ok then, another question

what about stuff for parents?

this sort of thing

(I normally buy new parents an insulated mug. ok they are vile but it is, IMO, the only way to get a warmish cup of tea with a newborn. And tea is very important)

lol filly!

i would like a nice pair of this knitted ballet pump type slippers.... not sure about the mug cosy though!

Ah bless - you could buy them a "mum" mug and one of those custome knitted - def a fab idea for the parents who have everything!