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Pregnancy

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Original poster

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

168 replies

Filly4LOOP · 25/02/2007 07:57

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.

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

expatinscotland · 25/02/2007 17:39

I've kept every handmade item the girls were given, as well as other things, and keep thing in a box with lavender to keep the bugs out.

The girls got a lot of use out of them, they were very appreciated and I hope to pass them on to them some day, if not for their own children to wear, then for them to cherish, as well.

Fillyjonk · 25/02/2007 17:47

there seems to be a real sense that girls can carry it off but not boys

i must say, i knit for ds more than dd because of the paucity of decent boys clothes.

theshrimp · 25/02/2007 18:14

Fillyjonk.

LOVE that knitted toys book. If you made some of these. I would definately buy them.

Sometimes I buy knitted fairy cakes from Ebay.

maybe I need to get out more too.

LOVE knitted gifts even if they are not my taste. They are a symbol from an age which is fast disappearing. Soon there will be no grannies and aunties that knit this stuff.
And babies shouldn't have to be trendy. I always wince a bit when babies are all dtessed up to the nines in trendy gear.

Let's celebrate the hand knit!

WestCountryLass · 25/02/2007 19:26

My Aunt knitted my baby a sleepsuit but it was in completely the wrong proportions. She sent it to the hospital and I opened it in front of a midife and we both POSL It also stank of cigarette smoke (and I did throw it in the bin ).

That being said, I was sent some lovely hand knitted cardies that have been well worn and loved

mamama · 25/02/2007 19:32

I loved the knitted hat and booties we got when DS was born. I would never have bought them but I loved them - the person who made them was so pleased to do it and they were gorgeous.

I was so grateful for such a thoughtful gift - DS wore them all the time and got lots of comments (nice ones) about wearing hand knitted clothes.

Keep on knitting!

ricepudding · 26/02/2007 08:12

I love them, find it really touching that people take the trouble to make things. In fact I've started to knit again after birth of DS, my MiL has made us some lovely things, and I think it's nice not to have stuff the same as everyone else.

Tortington · 26/02/2007 08:16

i love hand knitted stuff. my MIL just knitted for britain when i found out i was having twins. she chose lovely character buttons and really put in the effort.

i really appreciated it at the time. it felt like somone cared. even my mum knitted a cardi for my first - and her effort is umm astounding!

in fact i think i will tell my MIL that at soe point.

twoplusone · 26/02/2007 10:23

I do like hand knitteed things for babies, cardigans ect.. more for baby girls though up to about 2 years old.. My MIL knit for ds but although we were grateful that she had done this he couldnt wear them as the tension seemed to be wrong, button holes and buttons didnt match, one side would be longer than the other.. and a couple of them where what OI would class as girlie cardigans rather than boys.. (knew we were havoing a boy.."!!!) I am trying to find a nice way to tell her not to knit this time round!!! If she does.. babs will be in them when she sees it.. (as we live in different countries.. wont be much of an issue.. Having said that my friend is a suberb knitter and I will be asking her for some cardigans..

Aloha · 26/02/2007 10:28

Filly, I would die of gratitude and keep the things forever.

My only gripe with handknits is that so often they are synthetic. Cotton or wool is lovely. I can't knit for toffee.

Aloha · 26/02/2007 10:29

I bought a Debbie Bliss handknitted cardigan from Ebay which ds wore and now dd wears, and always gets admiring glances in!

beckybrastraps · 26/02/2007 10:40

I love handknitted stuff for small children.I like ds in a nice chunky jumper now and he's 5.

A friend once commiserated with me the blankets and cardigans that came for my dd from my MIL. Her present was a pair of jeans, size 0-3 months. Obviously I was effusive in my thanks, but I don't think they ever got worn...

The cardigans did.

Hulababy · 26/02/2007 10:51

I always appreciate the time and effort and the thought that has gone into homemade gifts.

DD recieve some homemade, knitted jackets, hats, etc. We did use them a little bit but TBH they are not really my taste. Have most of them still for DD's dolls

A friend crocheted DD a blanket which was lovely and that was used a lot. DD still has it in her bedoom for snuggling with, especially if poorly.

She was also given a couple of homemade pictures for her room - a cross sticked picture - this is still in her room, and a decoupage picture - this is in spare room at present.

Katsh · 26/02/2007 12:02

I made blankets for first 2 nephews and dd1. Dd2's is still unfinished ( and she just had her 5th birthday ). All 3 blankets are still in circulation and have been much loved. I think the key was that they were soft and machine washable. I also have a few bits that people made for my 2, and I have to say I treasure a jumper knitted by my (then)81 yr old grandmother who died last year. Old fashioned , but very special.

makemineaginandtonic · 26/02/2007 12:29

Knitting rocks!!! If only there was time to knit things with a baby....

Fillyjonk · 26/02/2007 17:44

so generally positve for cotton blankets

toy

mug warmers no unless you are a ponce like me

Fillyjonk · 27/02/2007 19:56

ok now be honest...

what about a stuffed knitted bacteriophage?

be HONEST now, please...

robbosmum · 27/02/2007 20:29

? que think i may join the knitting thread (ho ho) as suggested. Ha ve just tried a scarf, its looking more like a crotched tea cosy......... oops

jabuti · 27/02/2007 21:09

im making a 2 colour blanket for my baby, dont know if i will finish in time since im a beginner. bought some nice wool for it! i just started some cross-stitching too.

anyway, i love handmade stuff, send them my way!

willow458 · 03/03/2007 07:42

My partners mum is going through a knitting stage atm so i am getting lots of knitted things from jumpers to blankets but they are nice I really appricate them but i am due in July so don't know if i will use the new born ones she has knitted.

LowFatMilkshake · 03/03/2007 07:57

Have'nt read al the posts - but I love the bootees in the OP!

My mum made blankets and white cardigans and shawls until she knew what sex to knit for then she knitted on request.

DA also knits, lovely blankets and so on, but we've had a few choice items before we knew the sex, which included knitted peach trousers - which my DS will not be wearing . However she also knitted a great pair of blue flecked dungarees which are great over a sleep suit to keep him warm when he plays on his gym during the day.

She did make some fantastic cross stritch shoes though.

I think cardigans and boottees are the most useful until you know what you've got.

MadameSleepsLessAndLess · 03/03/2007 08:08

Haven't read the post but I loved the hand knitted cardigans & blankets/shawls. When I take my dd out in her pram I always get nice comments about her blankets & the knit wear.

LunarSea · 03/03/2007 08:54

Never used the knitted cardigans we were given for ds, but a friend makes little clothes from nice patterned fleece, and those are lovely. She made ds a super one with a fleece moose on it (very appropriate as she lives in Canada).

skirmish · 03/03/2007 09:00

got quite a bit of knitted garments when ds was born (whole layette, cardi, booties etc) and although they are beautiful, find them a bit 'girly' for him (we didn't know what we were having when pg).

Would have loved a hand knitted shawl/blanket but didn't get one. Also got sets of basics that people had put their on touch on by embroidering eg, bib, vest, socks, booties...just gorgeous!

greenday · 03/03/2007 09:08

Haven't read the entire post but just wanted to add that I appreciate it when people take the time and effort even though it may not be to my taste. My SIL made a dress for my DD when she was born. I thought it was really unattractive and never put it on her. But its the one item I will keep forever (amongst many other sentimental and more meaningful stuff) as something for my DD to remember by when she grows up.

MrsMcJnr · 03/03/2007 09:12

Filly4LOOP - personally, I love a baby in handknitted stuff, it's so cute. It reminds me of when my sister was little and she always wore handknitted cardis from my Gran (I'm 10 years older than her). I'm trying to knit a cardi at the mo for my friend's baby due in May but am not making much progress

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