Baby knitting patterns

A good friend of mine and his wife are expecting their first baby this week and of course, I want to knit something for the new arrival.  I’m sure that they will be showered with gifts of newborn baby clothes over the next few weeks, so I think I’ll knit something for a slightly older baby – maybe 6 months old.  Then the baby will have something to grow into.

But there are so many gorgeous baby knitting patterns available at the moment, it’s hard trying to decide what to knit! 

One of the trends for 2009 is the use of eco-friendly, organic yarns and both Rowan and Sublime use new and special fibres in their baby knitting patterns.

Rowan Milk Cotton Baby Collection

Rowan Fine Milk Cotton and Rowan Milk Cotton DK are beautifully soft cotton based yarn additions to the Rowan family so called because the yarn contains 30% milk protein.  Its softness makes it ideal for this collection of classic and charming baby knits.  Featuring 14 garment designs by Marie Wallin and Martin Storey and 7 accessories by Lisa Richardson this collection has everything from coats, baby shrugs and kids hoodies to romper suits and enchantingly details dresses and cardigans, complimented by soft toys, slippers, shoes hats and a classic blanket.

Sublime Baby and Children knitting pattern books

Sublime have produced several patterns books containing knitting patterns for babies and children.  New for 2009 is their baby cotton kapok dk yarn and accompanying baby knitting pattern book.  Cotton kapok is a good baby yarn because of its unique properties.  It keeps baby warm in winter yet cool in summer, has a nice drape to it and perhaps most importantly for parents – it’s machine washable!  These are just some of the patterns from the cotton kapok book.

But for me, the best baby knitting yarn has to be the Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK. It’s so incredibly soft and in the most gorgeous colours.  In fact it is so popular that Sublime launched a Cashmere Merino Silk DK for adults.  It’s exactly the same yarn, but in more “grown-up” colours and doesn’t have “baby” in the name!  Here are some patterns from the Third Little Sublime Handknit Book.

My Mum recently knitted this striped baby blanket in Sublime Baby Cashmere Merino Silk DK from the First Little Sublime Hand Knit book.  She wasn’t knitting for anyone in particular and she doesn’t have any grandchildren yet – she just loved the yarn so much that she wanted to knit something with it!

I’ll let you know what I decide to knit for my friends and will of course, post a picture!