| 1. There are some wonderful baby yarns on the | | | | embellishments are baby garmets - try felt flowers |
| market - Rowan, Debbie Bliss, and Lion Brand are | | | | or animal shapes instead. |
| some of my favourites and there are some | | | | 7. I always knit garments a size bigger than the baby |
| gorgeous organic and bamboo ones coming onto the | | | | needs now - they grow so fast that you want to |
| market too. Because they are all designed to be | | | | make sure they can get the most wear out of it. For |
| extra soft and snuggly, they tend to be quite | | | | newborns I always knit a 3-6 months size. I find that |
| stretchy - be aware of this when you are working as | | | | most of my friends who have babies are given so |
| they can stretch out of shape pretty quickly if you're | | | | many clothes in the newborn size that it is nice to |
| not careful! | | | | have some things for when the baby is a few |
| 2. Because of this, you may also find that you have | | | | weeks old. Plus, so many babies are born around the |
| to knit at a tighter tension than you normally would. | | | | 9 pounds plus size - sometimes the newborn clothes |
| A tip I have found really helpful is to knit into the | | | | don't even fit to begin with! |
| back of the stitch on collars and cuffs - that way | | | | 8. Have a favourite sweater that your baby is |
| you will get a nice tight finish. | | | | growing out of? Have no fear - babies tend to grow |
| 3. If you are knitting as a gift why not put the ball | | | | upwards (or lengthways!) at a much faster rate than |
| band in with the garment when you give it to the | | | | they do outwards. This is great news because it |
| new Mum - that way they will know the washing | | | | means you can always add a couple of inches as the |
| instructions. | | | | baby grows. Simply unravel it at the waist and cuffs |
| 4. Stockinette (stocking) stitch is my preferred stitch | | | | and pick up the stitches to add a few inches. |
| to use when knitting baby garments as it washes | | | | 9. Babies hate having anything pulled over their heads |
| brilliantly forms a nice, tight fabric with no holes or | | | | so make sure neck openings are large enough so |
| loops for tiny fingers to get caught. | | | | that this can be done quickly and easily. Many designs |
| 5. I am a big fan of using bamboo needles for much | | | | have buttons on the neck edges to make this easier. |
| of my knitting, but I find that metal needles are best | | | | 10. Got some yarn left over? Why not knit some |
| for baby knits - they are smoother and so help the | | | | booties, Believe me, there is NOTHING cuter and |
| yarn to slip off easily, creating an even tension. | | | | make perfect accompaniments to any knitted gift. |
| 6. It is absolutely vital that buttons and beads on | | | | When knitting booties go for ones with ribbing ties - |
| garments for babies and children are sewn on | | | | babies have very wriggly feed and anything too |
| securely - they can be choking hazards if they come | | | | loose will just keep coming off! |
| off. In fact, I would limit the use of using any hard | | | | |