Learning I was going to be a Great-Grandma, I wanted to make a knitted baby blanket for my new great-granddaughter, Jaelynn.
Obviously waiting to find out the sex of the baby would result in a more gender-friendly color. This was my great grandbaby and no generic yellow, green or baby color-variegated yarn would suffice. However, knowing how I tend to procrastinate until the last minute, I thought it best to start searching for the “perfect” knitted baby blanket pattern & type of yarn.
There are many knitted baby blanket patterns that are unique & sweet but, if there’s one thing my older, wiser mind has learned, it’s not to take on the most difficult pattern when there’s a deadline for completion …. even if it is nine months’ long!
Generally I search the internet for free patterns or go to the library and check out knitting books. Being somewhat frugal on yarn pricing, once I choose a pattern I delve into finding the most affordable alternative to the original yarn called for in the pattern.
Finding the “right” yarn is often the most challenging aspect for my knitted projects. It’s important to pay attention to gauge (I don’t like knitting a gauge swatch even if the professionals recommend doing so), needle size (I generally knit at least one size down from what’s called for in the pattern) and texture (it must be the very softest yarn for a baby.)
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Interestingly, I found a knitted baby blanket pattern in a novel I was reading at the time. Now living in Indiana but having lived in the Pacific NW for over 17 years, I enjoy the author, Debbie Macomber, who lives in Port Orchard, WA, and whose stories are often set in the Pacific Northwest. She has a series about a yarn shop in Seattle and, being a gifted knitter herself, Debbie often shares knitting patterns in her “Good Yarn” series.
The knitted baby blanket pattern’s name was “Bundle of Joy,” and didn’t specify a brand and yarn name but called for a sport weight yarn which made yarn selection much easier. It was to be knitted on circular needles all in one piece with no seams or finishing details … my kind of a knitting project!
The front of the pattern finished differently than the back of the blanket so it appeared as two specifically different patterns … something I like in a knitted blanket or scarf. I chose Lion Brand’s Baby Soft and waited to hear whether I’d be knitting for a boy or girl.
My granddaughter (the mother) absolutely loves all things orange so I was hoping to incorporate the color into the blanket. After finding I’d be knitting for a great-granddaughter, I selected a bright shade of peach for the blanket, actually made a gauge swatch and started knitting.
Deciding to make a gauge swatch turned out beneficial as the stitch pattern with a yarn over after a purl stitch wasn’t looking right & I had to try a few attempts until I got it right. I’ve also learned from knitting prayer shawls to pray as I knit for the person who’ll be the recipient of the knitted item. It was easy to pray for this little “bundle of joy” our family was eager to meet.
With the day of the baby shower rapidly approaching, I was getting nervous whether I’d finish it in time. The day of the shower I knew I wouldn’t finish the almost 40 more rows needed to complete the blanket so I placed the blanket, still on the circular needles, in a box & wrapped it in cute baby paper. Off I went to the shower. Everyone complimented my knitting prowess and my granddaughter seemed truly touched and pleased. And those who knew me well were not the least bit surprised at my work-in-process gift!
My plan was to finish the blanket as soon as possible and take it to my granddaughter. Since I often watch TV while knitting, once I’m comfortable enough with a pattern I may become absorbed in a storyline and forget to check my rows or count my stitches. This ultimately leads to ripping out a row or two to correct my mistake. This time I didn’t think I had any mistakes until I was finished and blocking the blanket where I found I’d missed one row in a section of ten rows. It was very noticeable to me since it made a significant deviance in the pattern but others told me they didn’t notice it (they were certainly being nice) and I hoped my granddaughter would not realize the mistake.
I finished the Bundle of Joy, blocked it (trying not to think about the small error) and gave it to my granddaughter.
She was delighted and appreciative and immediately draped it over the bassinet and took photos. I then knitted up a baby hat with a bow on the side in ivory with the peach-colored yarn as trim to take to the hospital the day of her birth.
Jaelynn Monet was born on February 28th, weighing 8 lbs. 2 ozs. & 21 inches long. As you might imagine, oodles of photos were taken those first few days but I was waiting for the special one … the exquisite photo of Jaelynn wrapped in her Bundle of Joy & matching hat. My granddaughter sent me the photo, which was absolutely stunning! My disappointment came when I realized the blanket had been snuggly wrapped around the baby so that in the very middle of the photo were my 10 rows with the mistake!!
Guest Contributor: Cheryl
How did you learn to knit?
Sometime in my pre-teen years our family was visiting with friends from our church in Chicago who had moved to a farm in Iowa. While the men were outside checking out the farm, the lady asked my sister & I if we’d like to learn to knit. We said, “sure,” and, although I had spaces of years between my knitting phases, I kept coming back to my yarn & needles and today I knit regularly, as does my little sister who learned that same day.
What other types of hobbies do you do?
I don’t have as many hobbies as I did in earlier years but I like to read & garden. I also volunteer at a nursing home, play cards with friends and attend plays & concerts.
What is your favorite storage tip for your knitting supplies?
I use clear plastic storage boxes/tubs, each marked with the weight of the yarn or a category, i.e., baby, Christmas, dishcloths, etc. Needles are in a needle storage roll made by a special friend many years ago. Supplies I use regularly like scissors, pattern markers, needle points, ruler, tape measure, etc. are in two clear plastic makeup bags for easy access.
Are you the kind of knitter that collects yarn and then decides a project later? Or do you purchase yarn for specific projects?
I generally don’t buy yarn without a project in mind. If I’ve used a particular yarn before, think I may use it for a similar project and the yarn is on sale, I may buy the yarn. When those projects don’t get completed or even started, I then have a stash of yarn waiting for a different project.
How often do you start a new knitting project?
That depends on how many family members & friends are having wedding showers, baby showers or housewarmings. Christmas is always a time when several projects are in progress for gift giving. In between I may knit up some dishcloths or try something new & different so I can take my time to learn & finish. Since I’m outside more in the spring & summer, I tend to knit more frequently in the fall & winter months.
Do you also crochet? If so, which do you prefer? and why?
I can crochet very basic stitches but have never made anything other than a dishcloth or trim on a knitted item. I often think I should work on improving my skills because crocheting goes together faster and a project is finished quickly. Things like baby blankets, afghans, etc. go together in no time at all. It does take more yarn for crocheted items, however.
When you are in your creative mood, do you listen to music, watch tv or do you prefer a quiet spot? If it is music, what types do you listen to? If watching tv, what kinds of shows?
I generally catch up with TV shows I’ve recorded or watch basketball, football or Indycar races. However, if it’s a particularly difficult pattern or one where I need to stay focused on the stitch sequence, I may sit quietly in my comfy chair. Although I do enjoy listening to music, I have a bad habit of singing along with the words and then lose my place or stitch count easily.
What is your favorite tip for knitting? Or do you have a favorite tool to help you succeed at your projects?
To keep track of my place on the pattern I use post-it notes. I have an old easel document holder from my typing days where I keep my pattern. I place the holder on a surface so it’s at eye level and easy to find the place I left off or, if I’m knitting a repeating pattern, it keeps me from needing to look down frequently and then easily lose where I’m at in the pattern. Other than my counter, my post-its, a favorite tool may be the crochet hooks I use to pick up dropped stitches.
What’s one of your favorite knitting memories?
A little tidbit … when I was in college I knitted small, stuffed scotty dogs in sorority or fraternity colors. The scotty dog had floppy ears where I’d sew felt Greek letters of the particular sorority or fraternity. I’d stuff them with … now I’m dating myself … pantyhose that I wasn’t wearing any longer. The pantyhose worked well & I didn’t have the expense of batting/filling. I would sell them and earn a few extra dollars.
See Cheryl’s other posts on Create Whimsy:
Baby’s Knitted Twirl Dress
Lace Curtains
Browse through all of the knitting projects and inspiration on Create Whimsy.