Most moms-to-be would love to receive a hand made item for their babies. As crocheters, we have the unique ability to create gifts that are both beautiful and utilitarian. We can create ‘instant’ heirloom afghans, crochet cherished christening gowns, or work up adorable layettes in trendy colors. Who else can make those claims?
Crocheting a christening gown can be quite an undertaking. Working with lace weight thread (or call it yarn), it can take months to complete a christening gown. However, in so doing, we are making something for the ages. Such a christening gown is likely to be used for generations of babies. I wish I had some family pieces like a gown or afghan that my mom had been swaddled in. I’d have used it for my children. Lacking that, I have stored the three baby quilts my mom’s friend sewed for my children. Their children will receive these cherished quilts when the time comes.
So, in honor of children and moms-to-be everywhere – and their families – I have assembled my top picks for baby shower gifts, from the traditional to the trendy.
This set can be adapted to make it an heirloom. First, lose the flower appliques for a boy. In fact, I’d leave the appliques off for a boy or girl to give it more of an ageless look. Choose either a pastel blue or pink – or even better a pale green – to give it more of an heirloom look.
My all time favorite baby afghan, the simple but effective afghan worked in the diagonal crazy stitch, is a good choice for baby and can be made to look more like an heirloom or adapted to a trendier look. Find the directions for working the diagonal crazy (or box) stitch here .
This is a picture of one I made sometime back with some really soft worsted weight yarn from my LYS. While I prefer brighter colors because I think babies respond to them better, lots of moms prefer pastels. I chose this colorway because the baby’s gender would not be known til s/he was delivered. So, I was able to give a fantastic babyghan at the shower before the baby’s birth. Mom was pleased!
The benefit to crocheting this afghan is that it requires (as a minimum) only two skeins of yarn, works up quickly, can be worked in any weight yarn, and can be edged (or not). When I know the mom wants blue for a boy or pink for a girl, I’ll crochet the body of the afghan in white, then wait til I know if it’s a she or a he. Then I’ll edge in the appropriate color with a couple rows of that color and go back to the white for a finishing row to tie the colors together. This works out well and gives me more time to work so I can give the afghan as soon as the baby is born.
Every baby should have something to hug in his/her crib. Who doesn’t love a teddy bear? There are many patterns out there to crochet a teddy, but this one is easy. Make it in a snuggly yarn that will soothe baby (and mom). Sock monkeys are popular for baby too, but I prefer a teddy!
A lot of people like crocheted bibs. I find them to be impractical. They can be cute, of course, but won’t really protect baby’s outfit as well as a cloth or plastic bib. Instead, for the practical thing, I think a set of baby wash cloths makes a great gift. Since mom will go through lots of them every day, I suggest bundling a set of at least five of them. Crochet them in your favorite soft cotton yarn in a variety of color combinations so that mom can keep them straight – for face or bottom, for instance. Crocheting baby wash cloths is also a great way to try out patterns for squares, circles, or hexagons. Go crazy experimenting, then fold them and bundle together with a pretty ribbon or length of yarn, like this set from crochetville.
http://www.crochetville.org/forum/showthread.php?t=83411
I’ve always been daunted by the idea of crocheting an heirloom quality christening gown. In addition, my family does not christen so I have less enticement to do the work. But, I have been asked several times to crochet them for friends. In those cases, this much simpler idea has pleased the friends who have asked me.
The nice thing about this pattern is that it works up quickly, so you might have time to customize it in blue or pink if the mom and dad want that. Otherwise, solid white or off white will make it an instant heirloom to which a suitably colored ribbon can be added for each baby who wears it. The pictured version, especially for the hat, is worked in worsted weight which makes it look too chunky to be an heirloom. But, if you have time to crochet it in sport weight, baby weight, or even lace weight, you’ll probably like the results better. The hat may not be needed, anyway. Further, it can be worked to any length (sleeve and hemline) and the bottom can be gathered if you weave in a ribbon or length of yarn if preferred. That makes it a good choice for a nightie too. This is a truly flexible pattern that will work for a number of applications.
Whatever gift you choose to crochet is sure to be a winner. The key to crocheting the ‘perfect’ gift for a baby shower is knowing what the mom-to-be likes in the area of color and if she is more or less formal. Any of the ideas shown here can be adapted to her preferences. Select a bright, trendy colorway for the ‘modern’ mom or stick to the tried and true pastels for a more traditional appeal. Your gift is sure to please!
A huge baby product is here.One can easily find the good one for there baby.The nice thing about this pattern is that it works up quickly and one can choose color according to there choice.