| Welcoming Home Baby the Handcrafted Way |
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| Written by Kathy Blumenstock | |
 Title: Welcoming Home Baby the Handcrafted Way: 20 Quick & Creative Knitted Hats, Wraps & Cozy Cocoons for Your Newborn
Author: Tricia Drake Date Published: Spring 2011 Review Date: April 18, 2011
Who is this book for? When a friend announces she’s expecting twins, or the receptionist at the vet’s office talks about the baby she’s adopting, you automatically, maybe frantically, riffle your mental pattern index for the right baby gift to knit quickly. Of course you can always check the offerings on Ravelry, but having a nicely illustrated, hard-cover collection of creativity is more helpful in visualizing how your project will look. New moms-to-be, or moms who wish they’d knitted something for their firstborn and plan to do better with the second child will find fun inspiration and guidance.
What Yarn Does it Feature? All the projects feature resources from Alchemy Yarns of Transformation, Arucania, Artemis, Asian Trends, Bernat, Berroco, Be Sweet, Blue Sky Alpacas, Cascade,Classic Elite Yarns, Colorful Nest Yarn Co., Debbie Bliss, Etsy, Farmhouse Yarns, Feza Yarns, Jenkins Woodworking, Judi and Co., Katia, Kitchen Sink Dyeworks, Knit Cottage, Lantern Moon, Lion Brand, Malabrigo, Ozark Handspun, Patons, Springtree Road, Spud & Chloe, Tahki Stacy Charles, Trendsetter Yarns, Valley.
What's Inside Cuteness overload! Ruffly hats, with names like Twisted Taffy, Party on Your Head and Chinny Chin Chinstrap, will give any baby a totally unique look that enhances his or her own adorability quotient. Knit with novelty touches and soft, bulky yarns, these hats work up fast and are far from the delicately edged baby hats of the past. Besides topping baby’s head with trendy warmth, there is a collection of fun blankets and shaped “cocoons” to cozy the little ones in a secure bundle of warmth. The Eskimo Kiss Hooded Cocoon offers an invisible drawstring, and the Birthday Wrap Blanket is a gift in itself, complete with sweetly embellished borders. Artfully photographed babies, at rest or in full smile mode, sell each design so you know the baby in YOUR life simply must have it.
Using It The author helpfully includes yarn/age variations for the hats to ensure that the teeniest new arrivals are not lost in toppers better suited to energetic bigger babies. Another practical touch: knitting abbreviations used in each pattern are included with the individual designs—handy for knitters who are busy holding a sleeping baby while trying to sneak in a few stitches and don’t have time to look up ssk or psso. Choose a hat to start, and progress to the larger pieces. Some lucky baby will snag a whole host of warmth and fun.
Best Pattern “Later Gator Blanket” will be any tot’s favorite with its friendly alligator and warm tones. “Lucky Seven Pinwheel Blanket” is stunning, sure to become an heirloom, or at least, a flattering photo prop for a sweetly sleeping infant. Shown in a sweet shade of pink, it would look equally charming with a pop of bright color.
Recommendation For those eager to knit something unique for a baby, using novelty and/or bulky yarns for almost instant gratification, and for others whose baby pattern library needs some refreshment and updating beyond the basic baby bonnet. Overall Recommendation
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