One funny thing about baby blankets is that I can actually remember the time when I was making each of them. Not that there have been that many and some were crocheted. Maybe it is their size that makes them stand out. The last one I made was crocheted in pastels in a stitch of my own creation. (In my world boys can wear pink and girls can wear blue, or any other color they choose.) I worked on it while watching the local baseball games on tv with my father. He would be stretched out on the couch watching every pitch and every movement on the field. I would be seated on the floor resting my back against the couch and looking up when I heard the name of a favorite player or the crack of the bat! The baby blanket was meant to be for the grandchild of friends if Alaska. As the baseball season ended and my fathers health declined, I put the project away and sent another gift to my friends. A few years later my niece was pregnant with her first child and my parent's great grandchild. Though both my parents were gone, they would have showered her with love. So out came the baby blanket. When the body of the blanket was complete, I added a 3 inch wide rippled edging around all four sides. In my world, one still wraps little babies, papoose style!
Love your thought process - garter stitch makes perfect sense for a blanket that is unlikely to be blocked with every wash. (FYI I’m a personal fan of mitered squares for blankets myself; they’re neat and versatile.) Can’t wait to see your creation!
The baby blanket sounds like a great project. Most of the ones I've knitted were from patterns, and I tended to knit with superwash in some kind of neutral color. The last one I did was a large project. I believe it was a Knit Picks kit (or maybe just pattern ... it's been that long ago). Dove gray. The blanket was huge and I knitted a little cardigan and cap as well. This was all for a friend's son's firstborn, and I had the pleasure of visiting when the son came over--on purpose--to show me his son dressed in the cap and cardigan. I was bit moved when the granddad took his grandson and wrapped him the blanket :-) But I haven't had the opportunity or even really the desire to knit a baby blanket since ... or any other kiddie stuff. I think I burned myself out on that when my own grands (nephews and nieces) were tiny.
I am still reeling from the election and may well be reeling throughout the next four years. I am, frankly, worried about our opportunities to vote again as I don't trust the new administration to allow safe and secure elections after this. That said, we are either looking for bright stars in the darkness (like the Democrats who did win and the people I believe will fight on our behalf) or tuning out the news and focussing more on our cats, nature, and our friends and family. This was not a landslide for the Orange One and, so far, I've only been greeted with empathy and hugs. That keeps me going.
My favorite baby blanket wasn’t made by me, but by my oldest daughter. She was 12 years old when her baby sister was born and really wanted to make her a blanket (which did double duty as a 4H project.) 😀
It was a simple granny square blanket made with Caron’s Simply Soft in mint green and white alternating squares. It was a cute little blanket. But the beauty lay in the fact that it became her baby sister’s “lovey.” Dragged everywhere, needing mending, and washing. I can still picture Boo (baby sister) tangling her tiny fingers in it and nursing herself to sleep. Such precious memories! And big sister was so happy her blanket was chosen!
I love baby blankets and your choice of garter is perfect as it adds so much texture and will lie flat.
My son, who just turned 54, actually came with his blanket. We adopted him at 10 months old and he was already very attached to his "boo banky" as he eventually called it. That much loved blanket was dragged everywhere and he slept with it well past starting grammar school.
As for the election, I am also very unhappy and disappointed, but I look to 2026, because at that time we can take back the house and senate and hold some of the horror at bay. I am also loving my family and friends and keeping a joyful spirit.
When I -long ago-designed the Vegan Security Blankie, I had no kids…but the garter stitches and detachable strips for carrying around seemed very important. My household is big on wool and the remaining sample blanket was only for playing when my twins were small. No one was deeply attached to it. Yet, it is still in a dress up box with stuffies and shows up on occasion. I feel like I can never predict what will become a cherished favourite, but my kids are now 13 and that sample is still around somewhere, being “used” so I guess the pattern works fine. In the end, it’s the love that counts, but a wool blanket is always useful, too!
I'm working on a baby blanket now.... 7 different colors in 10 rows of garter, seed or stockinette stitch. I admit the garter stitch is the most soothing for me right now - seed st can be annoying & take forever but I do love the look.
I'm also working on a scarf using the pattern you gave a week or so ago. Also garter st & I'm using your red/gray colors, too. Liking the look of it.
On the book front, I'll recommend The God of the Woods (Liz Moore) & You Are Here (David Nicholls). Totally different reads, but I enjoyed both.
I look forward to your further steps in making this baby blanket. A co-worker of mine and his wife are are expecting their first child, one that has taken a very long and difficult time to create. I would love to make something like this for them.
Thank you! My plan is to document the entire process: explaining my decisions, giving you all the numbers, and showing my work along the way. I'd be delighted if it helps you create a blanket for your co-worker's precious new child.
One funny thing about baby blankets is that I can actually remember the time when I was making each of them. Not that there have been that many and some were crocheted. Maybe it is their size that makes them stand out. The last one I made was crocheted in pastels in a stitch of my own creation. (In my world boys can wear pink and girls can wear blue, or any other color they choose.) I worked on it while watching the local baseball games on tv with my father. He would be stretched out on the couch watching every pitch and every movement on the field. I would be seated on the floor resting my back against the couch and looking up when I heard the name of a favorite player or the crack of the bat! The baby blanket was meant to be for the grandchild of friends if Alaska. As the baseball season ended and my fathers health declined, I put the project away and sent another gift to my friends. A few years later my niece was pregnant with her first child and my parent's great grandchild. Though both my parents were gone, they would have showered her with love. So out came the baby blanket. When the body of the blanket was complete, I added a 3 inch wide rippled edging around all four sides. In my world, one still wraps little babies, papoose style!
What a lovely memory of a special time with your father! Thank you for sharing that.
Love your thought process - garter stitch makes perfect sense for a blanket that is unlikely to be blocked with every wash. (FYI I’m a personal fan of mitered squares for blankets myself; they’re neat and versatile.) Can’t wait to see your creation!
The baby blanket sounds like a great project. Most of the ones I've knitted were from patterns, and I tended to knit with superwash in some kind of neutral color. The last one I did was a large project. I believe it was a Knit Picks kit (or maybe just pattern ... it's been that long ago). Dove gray. The blanket was huge and I knitted a little cardigan and cap as well. This was all for a friend's son's firstborn, and I had the pleasure of visiting when the son came over--on purpose--to show me his son dressed in the cap and cardigan. I was bit moved when the granddad took his grandson and wrapped him the blanket :-) But I haven't had the opportunity or even really the desire to knit a baby blanket since ... or any other kiddie stuff. I think I burned myself out on that when my own grands (nephews and nieces) were tiny.
I am still reeling from the election and may well be reeling throughout the next four years. I am, frankly, worried about our opportunities to vote again as I don't trust the new administration to allow safe and secure elections after this. That said, we are either looking for bright stars in the darkness (like the Democrats who did win and the people I believe will fight on our behalf) or tuning out the news and focussing more on our cats, nature, and our friends and family. This was not a landslide for the Orange One and, so far, I've only been greeted with empathy and hugs. That keeps me going.
Yes, let's keep looking for bright stars in the darkness, and seek out opportunities to amplify their light.
My favorite baby blanket wasn’t made by me, but by my oldest daughter. She was 12 years old when her baby sister was born and really wanted to make her a blanket (which did double duty as a 4H project.) 😀
It was a simple granny square blanket made with Caron’s Simply Soft in mint green and white alternating squares. It was a cute little blanket. But the beauty lay in the fact that it became her baby sister’s “lovey.” Dragged everywhere, needing mending, and washing. I can still picture Boo (baby sister) tangling her tiny fingers in it and nursing herself to sleep. Such precious memories! And big sister was so happy her blanket was chosen!
So very sweet! Thank you for sharing this.
Love how you listed your requirements! Looking forward to seeing your idea getting realized. 🥰♥️
I love baby blankets and your choice of garter is perfect as it adds so much texture and will lie flat.
My son, who just turned 54, actually came with his blanket. We adopted him at 10 months old and he was already very attached to his "boo banky" as he eventually called it. That much loved blanket was dragged everywhere and he slept with it well past starting grammar school.
As for the election, I am also very unhappy and disappointed, but I look to 2026, because at that time we can take back the house and senate and hold some of the horror at bay. I am also loving my family and friends and keeping a joyful spirit.
When I -long ago-designed the Vegan Security Blankie, I had no kids…but the garter stitches and detachable strips for carrying around seemed very important. My household is big on wool and the remaining sample blanket was only for playing when my twins were small. No one was deeply attached to it. Yet, it is still in a dress up box with stuffies and shows up on occasion. I feel like I can never predict what will become a cherished favourite, but my kids are now 13 and that sample is still around somewhere, being “used” so I guess the pattern works fine. In the end, it’s the love that counts, but a wool blanket is always useful, too!
I love that your blanket is still part of your children's lives!
I'm working on a baby blanket now.... 7 different colors in 10 rows of garter, seed or stockinette stitch. I admit the garter stitch is the most soothing for me right now - seed st can be annoying & take forever but I do love the look.
I'm also working on a scarf using the pattern you gave a week or so ago. Also garter st & I'm using your red/gray colors, too. Liking the look of it.
On the book front, I'll recommend The God of the Woods (Liz Moore) & You Are Here (David Nicholls). Totally different reads, but I enjoyed both.
I, too, love seed stitch. It's such a great texture, and I like the reversability.
And great book recommendations! I've read them both, and I agree both are terrific.
Love to hear the process behind a pattern. Thank you for sharing
My pleasure!
I look forward to your further steps in making this baby blanket. A co-worker of mine and his wife are are expecting their first child, one that has taken a very long and difficult time to create. I would love to make something like this for them.
Thank you! My plan is to document the entire process: explaining my decisions, giving you all the numbers, and showing my work along the way. I'd be delighted if it helps you create a blanket for your co-worker's precious new child.
It would be much appreciated.