Knitch Magazine

Spring has sprung, the daffodils are in full bloom, and we’re all up to date on the latest spring fashion trends for ourselves and our families. (Please see the Spring Fashion Outlook for an overview of these Spring 2010 trends.) We’ve started refurbishing our own wardrobes, and now it’s time for us to check out what lovely goodies we can create for our favorite little ones to keep them right in style. Even better, we’re very excited that many of the most popular knitwear designers and yarn companies seem just as enthusiastic as we are about spring fashions for babies and children and have released new books and patterns just in time for the upcoming warmer weather.

First off, children’s knitwear guru Debbie Bliss has really outdone herself this season with adorable designs for her newest children’s yarn, Eco Baby, in a dedicated book and in the latest issue of her magazine. From the trendy lines of the Eco Baby Hooded Pullover to the traditional approach of the Double Breasted Coat, both the sportswear and classic styles are well represented. Also the relaxed fit and wonderful drape of the Pleated Tunic and the casual femininity of the Eco Baby Sun Dress will inspire you to knit up these gems. Or for those of you who like to embellish your knitting projects with crochet as so many haute-couture designers are doing this season, you can enjoy the precious Eco Baby Crochet Edge Cardi.

Then design powerhouse Rowan Yarns and popular designer Martin Storey have teamed up once again and created the Miniature Classics pattern book for babies and children up to three years old. From the Fair Isle prints of the fabulously feminine Cashsoft Rainbow Cropped Top to the romantic, eco-friendly Milk Cotton Blossom Bolero, your little girls will enjoy these fashions. Then for the little boys in your life, go classic with the Denim Quinn Cardigan or enjoy the nautical motifs of the Milk Cotton Trent Vest.

We are also enjoying fantastic baby and children’s designs from Norah Gaughan and her design team at Berroco. The sporty Comfort Flume Hoodie, the ruffled Comfort Sock Cardigan & Hat set and the precious Baby Summer Onesie & Hat set, ideal for a day at the beach, are all great choices for babies and kids. And speaking of ruffles, outfits don’t come any cuter than the Pure Pima Entiat Cardigan and its matching Finlay Baby Bloomers. Or for the ultimate in ruffled femininity, check out the Pure Pima Berkshire Set with its sleeveless top and coordinating skirt.

Even Eisaku Noro’s beautiful self-striping yarns are being featured in baby and children’s spring projects. As a wonderful follow up to her Noro Family collection last year, Jane Ellison has created sensational designs for the brand-new Noro fiber gems in Noro Kids. Just take a peek at the trendy Taiyo Peggy Bolero for your favorite little girl, and you’ll see exactly what we mean. Also the multi-seasonal Chirimen Thomas Vest and the unisex, sporty Furin Alex Hooded Jacket are just precious.

Of course, you know you can rely on the designers from both Sirdar and Sublime to keep your little ones right in style too. From the embellished, feminine Rosy Posy Cardi & Hat to the fun Cotton Kapok Dolly Stripes Cardi and from the Bamboo Striped Frill Bolero to the Little Miss Scarlet Set, your baby girls will have plenty of pizzazz this spring. Then for the boys, take a peek at the Baby Bamboo Striped Hoodie and at the Sublime Sailor-Style Pullover for that sporty, nautical style.

And last but certainly not least, we know your children will love that they can now dress up their favorite teddy bear or American Girl doll in many of these Spring 2010 trendy styles too because of Amy O’Neill Houck’s fun pattern collection Knits for Bears to Wear. Sporty lines are wonderfully covered with the Teddy Bear's Basketball Outfit and the classic Letter Sweater that especially little boys will love. Then for children who prefer the more romantic, feminine trends, check out the Teddy Bear’s Soft Lacy Poncho. Or when getting ready for a casual day at the park but wanting to go with the tie-dye style, your little one will love to dress up Teddy in the Berry Bolero with its stylish Ty-Dy automatic striping.