Just Know What You're Starting

Pattern:  Cabled Baby Hat & Mittens

Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino

Needles:  size 3

When you make your first baby gift, keep in mind that you could be starting something that could go beyond this one baby. After you've knitted something for that baby, you find yourself making something for the next baby. And the next baby. A few hats down the road, people will begin to say, "I hope you're going to make something for our new baby!"

I think this is baby gift hat #17. I've knitted in the last few years. I've already started #18. I'm not even counting hats for my own little ones. There have been multiple baby blankets, too. And a couple of tiny sweaters. 

Don't get me wrong. I've loved making each and every item. Wouldn't do it if I didn't enjoy it. Each one is a celebration of a new life. Just know what you could be starting with that first gift! ☺

These little "welcome to the world" gifts have been sent everywhere. I've sent hats and blankets to places I'll probably never get to see in person. Might never get to see these babies either, but it's a way to let the new moms to know we are happy about their new little one.

Pattern: Anne Norling's Kid's Fruit Hat

Yarn:  Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino, Off-White

Needles:  size 5

Well, before I finished writing this blog post, I finished hat #18. Both of these are headed to daughter Jessica for a baby shower next week at her office. The babies are now coming two at a time! Yes, sometimes I don't know the recipients at all. But these are people that mean something to my daughters.

When I give a hand knit, I add tags that give the fiber content and care instructions. I've learned to add to the tag, in red, "Avoid Contact w/Velcro." So many baby bibs use Velcro fasteners now and Velcro will attach itself to knitted things before you can blink. It doesn't come off willingly.

As much fun as these tiny hats have been to knit, I hope I'm caught up for a while. There are other, bigger things to be knitted. There are books to be read. There are songs to be played. There are recipes to be tried. There are even dishes to be washed and towels to be folded. And I try not to forget to leave a little time for doing nothing. I'm not particularly good at that, but I keep trying.

HINT:  When I send a blanket to a first time mom, I now include a mesh laundry bag in the package. The kind of bag you put your lingerie in to wash in the washing machine. All the Velcro bibs can go in the bag and into the washing machine and that keeps the Velcro safely away from everything else.