Well, it’s up on Facebook so I guess that means it’s real now 😉 … my husband and I are expecting our first (and hopefully only) child! It’s exciting while simultaneously being terrifying.
But one aspect of having a baby that is nothing but fun is the crafting prospects! I have always made baby items for my friends when they were expecting. For several years, when I worked at the zoo, there always seemed to be a veritable torrent of bundles of joy that kept my fingers flying. At that point I only crocheted and so my options were a little more limited but there were still so many adorable things to make.
My projects did tend to increase in complexity,and often in size, as I learned more skills and became more comfortable. Early on I focused on baby blankets with a pretty stitch, or a simple baby jacket. I mastered a few simple baby booties and, as always, a trusted go-to was simple amigurumi in a variety of different animals. I would sometimes try to match the animal with the species that the keeper worked with to make it a little more special.
I remember how much it meant to me when one of my co-workers specifically asked if she could have a Lion Hooded blanket for her son that I had made for someone else a while back because hand made gifts were so special to her. I was very happy to oblige and years later she sent me a picture of her child with the blanket, telling me once again how much it had meant to her.
Then as I got a little more confident I would look for patterns with a little more uniqueness- for example, a friend was having a little girl that was going to be named Ella, so I crocheted some baby booties that were conveniently called Cinderella booties.
When my sister told me she was pregnant, I did a 80’s fist pump in the car and told her that this was what all of my life’s crafting had been leading up to! For her baby shower, I decided to tackle a larger, more detailed project by crocheting this animal mobile. Apparently a friend of hers at the shower who was also a crafter was in awe because she understood the amount of time and effort put into it 🙂 Two other co-workers were expecting shortly before I left the zoo, so I tackled the same mobile twice more! I think that’s probably it for this mobile… I’m retiring 🙂
And over the years, my niece has been the recipient of many, MANY crafted items, ranging from knitted Harry Potter scarves and owl hats, to crocheted Disney Princess amigurumi dolls to felt quiet books 🙂
So when I found out I was expecting I was excited to take a look at the “Pregnancy list” of items I had saved in my Ravelry library to see what I wanted to start making. After sorting through the myriad items in that and my “If I ever have a baby…” Pinterest board I decided I needed to be rather choosy. Baby’s grow out of clothes super fast, plus I already own far more stuffed animals and amigurumi than any grown woman without children should have, so “Nugget” doesn’t need many more of those. I also may not feel like knitting furiously on only baby items for the next 5 months. I have other projects I still want to work on after all 😉 So I have tentatively settled on a conservative 3-4 items to make for Nugget.
- Frodo Bunting- the amazing Raveler, QtheCocker, came up with the idea to use Intarsia to convert a basic baby bunting pattern (by Drops Design) into this phenomenal Frodo Baggins one, complete with Elvish leaf brooch and Ring of Power… so yeah, that’s happening
- Newt Scamander Scarfigan (pattern by Kate Scalzo) – A scarfigan in the colors of Newt Scamander’s coat and 1920’s Hufflepuff scarf from Fantastic Beasts and Where to find them (this one will be definitely be used in a photo session with the stuffed Niffler that I impulse bought at Barnes and Noble recently.)
- DNA toy (pattern by Kimberly Chapman)- because obviously 😉
- (If time) Geek Themed baby wearing Blanket- for those chilly days when Nugget and I are walking. I am going to use the basic size/ pattern here (pattern by Playing with Fire) and will probably make it double knitted instead. I’m also toying with the idea of using either the Doors of Durin chart or perhaps the Niffler from my favorite Lattes and Llamas blog and adding a few coins or a quote underneath to fill out the space… we’ll see what time and inclination allows 🙂
Pattern info:
- Amigurumi Giraffe, Hippo and Lion: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sources/leisure-arts-75266-vannas-choice-easy-crochet-critters
- Baby booties: These were from a baby bootie pattern booklet that I apparently no longer have 🙁
- Elephant pacifier Bibs: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elephant-pacifier-bib
- Ripple blanket: This was a basic ripple blanket design. I’m not sure which actual pattern I used.
- Baby Layette set: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/soft-and-sweet-layette
- Baby Kimonos: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-kimono-wrap-baby-sweater
- Giraffe pillow (and afghan): https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/giraffe-afghan-pillow-and-toy
- Echidnas: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/echidna-and-baby-puggles
- Flamingo Hoodie: This was a basic hoodie pattern from a baby item booklet that I no longer have. I crocheted eyes and a bill and sewed them on.
- Webbed booties: These I believe were the buccaneer booties (see below) and I crocheted a basic webbed shape and sewed them onto the top.
- Horse hat: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/343-infant-to-adult-horse-hats
- Cheeki Monkee Wrap: http://www.make-baby-stuff.com/cheeki-monkee-wrap.html
- Buccaneer booties: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/buccaneer-booties
- Stackable rings: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/pond-friends-stacking-toy
- Sea Turtle: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aquaami-sea-turtle
- Abominable baby slippers: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/abominable-baby-slippers
- Princess trio: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sleeping-beauty-amigurumi-doll
- Frozen Princesses: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/elsa-frozen-amigurumi-doll
- Elephant backpack: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/morehouse-elephant-backpack
- Log cabin carrier: https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/amigurumi-log-cabin-carrier
- Stuffed Elephant: https://www.etsy.com/listing/83892348/ella-the-elephant-pdf-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_feat_1
Inspiration for quiet book pages:
- Mater: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/AQ8ljtEHvDzJuflfVVQBOHLP4dpjN_VZDqtu3QOP5UqXIt-ODuVGpUo/
- Crocodile: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/294493263109065722/
- My Little Pony: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/141159769545869679/
- Ballet: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/242350023672203891/
- Dress: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/294493263109065593/
- Flowers/ Bee: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/294493263109065581/
- Frog: https://www.pinterest.com/pin/294493263109065572/
