question for those with cold houses

[1blueheron]

So we have a delightful 7 month old and a chilly house (can get it up to 60 on a good sunny winter day). Last winter it wasn't such a big deal, she was wrapped up in a blanket and/or on us all the time, but now she's on the move and I want her to keep enjoying her explorations.

Any recommendations on warm indoor things that aren't too bulky or restrictive? Seems like a lot of booties, etc are sized for newborns, and (after a cursory review of a couple of stores) a lot of baby socks seem to be made out of cotton. Thanks in advance, I'm not much of a shopper, so any suggestions are appreciated.

[SilverFish]

do you sew or knit at all? making your own clothes would probably be the best option. i'm making some woolen leggings and booties out of recycled wool sweaters from the thrift store. each sweater costs about $4-6 and makes at least two pairs of leggings and a pair of woolen slippers. it's VERY simple sewing, and that way i'm not paying through the nose for new wool or ending up with cheaper cotton stuff. my dd is only a couple weeks younger than yours, so i know what you mean about the cold house. even this week she's been waking up with chilly hands and ends up with cold feet (since i have yet to find a pair of socks that will stay on). if you want more specific instructions, i can give them to you. the plus side is that we do cloth diapering, and if you felt and lanolize your woolies, you don't need a seperate diaper cover.

[Snapdragon]

We have a pretty cold house in the winter- I am gonna plan to put my baby in lots of those one piece warm suits- such as these:
http://www.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=7142

[cristeen]

Wool pants, a wool tee if you can afford it. Layer a long sleeve onesie under a sweater if you have to. Socks and shoes (something soft soled like Robeez). We're facing this too, but i have a new walker. Most i can do is keep him warmly dressed in layers. I may take up sock knitting too, since wool socks would be nice.

[Nicole730]

My mom made slippers for us, she got a pattern at the fabric store, if you sew at all (or know someone who does) maybe that would work for the feet.

We keep our house at 65. We just did lots of layers. Oh, and fleece lined jeans, but those would probably be too bulky for a baby.

Another thing we did a lot with DS as a baby was - long sleeve onesie, with leggings, and socks and then a TCP fleece footed sleeper over the top. Add a hat and you're all set!

[SeattleRain]

I'm going to suggest a LOT of fleece. It's easily washable and nice and toasty. Get some fleece stretchies, you can get them quite cheaply at places like Carters and Old Navy. You can layer leggings and long sleeved onesies underneath if you want. They also sell fleece seperates like fleece pants with a fleece little jacket or sweatshirt. We love Hanna Andersson's mocassins!

[1blueheron]

Originally Posted by SilverFish

do you sew or knit at all? making your own clothes would probably be the best option. i'm making some woolen leggings and booties out of recycled wool sweaters from the thrift store. each sweater costs about $4-6 and makes at least two pairs of leggings and a pair of woolen slippers. it's VERY simple sewing, and that way i'm not paying through the nose for new wool or ending up with cheaper cotton stuff. my dd is only a couple weeks younger than yours, so i know what you mean about the cold house. even this week she's been waking up with chilly hands and ends up with cold feet (since i have yet to find a pair of socks that will stay on). if you want more specific instructions, i can give them to you. the plus side is that we do cloth diapering, and if you felt and lanolize your woolies, you don't need a seperate diaper cover.

ooh, some advice/instruction on this would be great. I have several old sweaters and some rudimentary skillz. PM me? Thanks!

[1blueheron]

Originally Posted by cristeen

I may take up sock knitting too, since wool socks would be nice.

Seems like the way to go. Seriously, why don't they have wool socks for babies? And tiny wool fingerless gloves.

[tzs]

we have some smartwool baby socks that were gifted to us. they were probably outrageously expensive though.
robeez and ministar makes softsoled, fur lined, comfy "boots." and then we layer with legwarmers. she wore a hat 24/7 last year as a newborn but i'm not sure i'll be able to keep anything on her this winter....but she's more active so i'm not worried. plus, all in all she's more active than i am with all the distance she covers in relation to her size.

[RoamingWidgeteer]

For the ultimate baby knitting wool, check out Colourmart - he buys cashmere and silk yarn reminders from Scottish and EU mills and sells them for very cheap. The quality is truly first class and the cashmere insanely soft. And machine washable

The only downside to Colourmart cashmere is an increased tendency to knit

And if you need knitting inspiration or patterns, check out Ravelry.

[Hedgehog Mtn]

Peace Fleece has a great knitting pattern for serious tall booties. They go up the calf....Baltic Booties I think they are called.

I'd knit wool pants, wool Ts, wool everything. Sleepy sacks for nap / sleep time.

It's worth it to learn in my opinion