Sunday, July 14, 2013

People's Favorite Baby Knitting & Crochet Patterns

I love the knitting community!  In May, I told the Random Acts of Kindness (RAK) group on Ravelry that Keith and I are expecting our first child.  I asked that people message me with their favorite baby knitting or crochet pattern.  I thought it would be fun to share the responses I got in a blog post for everyone to see.  It is one thing to research popular patterns, and other to hear personal recommendations.

Free Knitting Pattern Recommendations
  • Little Coffee Bean Cardigan - "Easy knit and it turns out so cute."  This is a darling striped raglan cardigan that would easily work for either gender.  Available as a free Ravelry.com download, you may need to create a free account to access this pattern.  
  • Christine's Baby Booties - The message has knit over 30 (!) pairs, "...and I’m told these stay on better than any other booties."  A very classic shape with a draw string bow to help them stay on the foot.
  • OpArt - "if you do this one in black and white it’s very good for a baby’s developing eyes - they love to look at black and white patterns"  This is a very unique striped baby blanket.  The title is very descriptive to the optical patterns you create.  
  • Duck - "Absurdly cute"  My recommender is 100% correct.  These little duck feet booties/socks are absolutely adorable.  Available as a free Ravelry.com download, you may need to create a free account to access this pattern.  
  • Aviatrix - "...the cutest stay on hat hands down and fun to make too once you get the hang of short rows and wt."  This earflap hat is really adorable and is available in sizes from newborn to young child!    Available as a free Ravelry.com download, you may need to create a free account to access this pattern.  
  • Poppy - "I love to knit baby things! I like the Aviatrix baby hat, the girl’s version is called Poppy."  This is a cloche that has the same style lines as the earflap hat mentioned previously.  Super cute, especially with a button or knit flower ornament holding it "closed."  Available as a free Ravelry.com download, you may need to create a free account to access this pattern.  
  • Baby Sophisticate - "Here’s my favorite free baby sweater pattern. Looks a little more boyish, which is sometimes hard to find. A fun fast knit, that’s for sure."  A little cardigan sweater with a bit of a collar.  It reminds me of Mr. Rogers (in a very good way!)  Available as a free Ravelry.com download, you may need to create a free account to access this pattern.  
  • The Addictive Baby Blanket - "It knits up so fast and was so cuddly that I had to make a larger one for me because I [gave] mine to a coworkers bun in the oven!"  A simple textured rib baby blanket.  I love that it uses two strands of yarn so it would be a fast project. 

Free Crochet Pattern Recommendations
  • Poly-Fil Pete - "I loved making this bunny for my son - it uses up lots of odds and ends of yarn, very easy and very quick to make" A striped bunny toy, and I agree with the recommendation, it would be GREAT for using up remnant yarns!

For Purchase Knitting Pattern Recommendations - Please note that all prices listed are valid from the time I wrote this post, May - July 2013.  Prices are subject to change based on the individual designers.  
  • Bluebeary Hat - "Here’s my go-to baby shower gift." I initally expected to see a berry type hat, and I did not expect an adorbale fair isle creation with little bears around the size and then bear eyes and nose from looking at the top down.  I can see why this would be a favorite, and as someone who loves Fair Isle I can say that this hat is unique and will be a hit!  $5.00 USD

Thank you, everyone, for sending me your recommendations!  I have a lot of new patterns in my queue.