Crafty mamas, come on in here!

[bodhitree]

I thought it would be fun to have a thread where we can talk about making things for our little passengers. We can show pictures of past projects for inspiration, and we can show pictures of works-in-progress and finished projects as well. Baby things are so cute and fun to make, and I'm excited to see what everybody else has in mind for their little ones! Oh and also, if you're making anything pregnancy-related for yourself (like maternity clothes or whatever) that's fair game too!

As far as my plans go, I want to make at least one or two sweaters for my baby. Handmade sweaters are my usual baby gift for friends and family, and I might even re-make one or two that I've made for other babies, because I loved them so much when they were done. Here's one that I made for my niece (from a vintage pattern in my grandma's stash) that I loved and might make again if I'm having a girl:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/...544f9351_b.jpg

Right now I'm knitting a sweater for myself, which I plan to make belly-friendly by closing the bottom half of the side-seams with buttons instead of actual sewn seams. That way I can in theory just unbutton the buttons from the bottom up as my belly grows.

Anybody else have projects planned or currently in progress?

[secondimpression]

Originally Posted by bodhitree

As far as my plans go, I want to make at least one or two sweaters for my baby. Handmade sweaters are my usual baby gift for friends and family, and I might even re-make one or two that I've made for other babies, because I loved them so much when they were done. Here's one that I made for my niece (from a vintage pattern in my grandma's stash) that I loved and might make again if I'm having a girl:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/...544f9351_b.jpg

That's a really pretty sweater!

I'm working on knitting some wool soakers right now from a free pattern.

I also recently bought 2 pairs of jeans on clearance and some ribbed tanks which I'm going to sew into maternity jeans

[wobblykate]

I have a whole bunch of pants that I've received from my aunt who was cleaning out her closet. It makes my wardrobe big enough that I can probably alter some things without too much worry.

I'm going to make diapers from this pattern. I've also been saving soft wool sweaters to make diaper covers, although I'd love to make some lower-profile wool wraps, as well.

I've also got a cashmere turtleneck that I'd like to convert to a baby sleep sack, something like this, with the neck part going around baby's chest. I'm not sure if I should felt the cashmere first, or not, though. Any ideas?

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by bodhitree

I thought it would be fun to have a thread where we can talk about making things for our little passengers. We can show pictures of past projects for inspiration, and we can show pictures of works-in-progress and finished projects as well. Baby things are so cute and fun to make, and I'm excited to see what everybody else has in mind for their little ones! Oh and also, if you're making anything pregnancy-related for yourself (like maternity clothes or whatever) that's fair game too!

As far as my plans go, I want to make at least one or two sweaters for my baby. Handmade sweaters are my usual baby gift for friends and family, and I might even re-make one or two that I've made for other babies, because I loved them so much when they were done. Here's one that I made for my niece (from a vintage pattern in my grandma's stash) that I loved and might make again if I'm having a girl:

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2015/...544f9351_b.jpg

Right now I'm knitting a sweater for myself, which I plan to make belly-friendly by closing the bottom half of the side-seams with buttons instead of actual sewn seams. That way I can in theory just unbutton the buttons from the bottom up as my belly grows.

Anybody else have projects planned or currently in progress?

oh my, that sweater is CUTE! i love knitted hats on kids. would that be something a beginner could master (say, by the end of my pregnancy- lol) ? and if so, are there any good books/ online tutorials for beginners?

[wobblykate]

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh

oh my, that sweater is CUTE! i love knitted hats on kids. would that be something a beginner could master (say, by the end of my pregnancy- lol) ? and if so, are there any good books/ online tutorials for beginners?

I second the gorgeousness of the sweater...totally beyond me. So lovely! What a lucky baby you will have!

[jerri]

That is a really lovely sweater! Something about this pregnancy has created an aversion to knitting. Seriously. It sounds crazy, but knitting makes me throw up (along with nearly everything else). I'd love to see inspiration from others' projects so I can make a 'to-do' list of baby craftiness!

[Elroebot]

I have at least 4 huge knitters amongst my family and co-workers so I'm going to let them go crazy and I'm going to do some sewing/quilting. I'm finally getting a bit more energy and dh will be gone next weekend... I plan on going craft crazy. I plan on making some onesies out of vintage t-shirts though I've had a bit of trouble finding ribbing...I thought I'd be able to get it at Joanne's but the lady I asked said I had to make it myself????

[inky leeuhhh]

Originally Posted by jerri

That is a really lovely sweater! Something about this pregnancy has created an aversion to knitting. Seriously. It sounds crazy, but knitting makes me throw up (along with nearly everything else). I'd love to see inspiration from others' projects so I can make a 'to-do' list of baby craftiness!

ive developed aversions to lots of textures and random things. the paint in my preschool classroom art closet makes me want to spew, lol.

[IncaMama]

i was gonna knit up some socks but knitting also makes me sort of nauseous right now too. i'll probably make some hats too, though our babies will be born in near warmth...

i'll probably make some pants/longies

[smocklets]

I'm finally able to knit and crochet again(for a short time) without getting sick, so I started a shrug for myself. I have several dresses that are sleeveless but work really well for maternity so I wanted to extend their wear through the winter. I am doing a pattern from the Happy Hooker, which would be a great book for beginners too. And the shrug is short, so I don't have to worry about my growing belly.

I'm planning to make some knit pants from T-shirts with the pattern that was shared earlier in this group. Also planning to do some cloth diapers/wool covers from recycled clothes.

[WindyDSM]

I have a pattern for a baby hat with bunny ears I'd like to try to make (I believe it's crochet, I can't knit to save my life). I think I'm gonna make at least one crochet blanket for the little one. I haven't tried quilting since I was a teen so maybe I'll try to make a small quilt, I have a huge bin of scrap fabric that needs to go, that's an excellent way to do it.

I need to get my bum to Joannes for supplies... maybe next weekend when I'm in the area...?

[bodhitree]

Aw, thanks for all the nice comments on the sweater. I was really pleased with how it turned out.

Originally Posted by wobblykate

I've also got a cashmere turtleneck that I'd like to convert to a baby sleep sack, something like this, with the neck part going around baby's chest. I'm not sure if I should felt the cashmere first, or not, though. Any ideas?

I'd think about felting it first, if only because you're going to want to be able to wash it once it's in use, right? I've never felted cashmere, though (the very thought seems so decadent!) so I don't know too much about how it behaves. That sleep sack looks really sweet, and the baby wearing it looks so happy that now I want to make one! Actually I kind of want one for myself too.

Originally Posted by inky leeuhhh

i love knitted hats on kids. would that be something a beginner could master (say, by the end of my pregnancy- lol) ? and if so, are there any good books/ online tutorials for beginners?

Totally. There are tons of free patterns available at this site. For a lot of these, all you need to know how to do is cast on, knit, and decrease. If you need a good basic book, Debbie Stoller's Stitch and Bitch tells you the basics and IIRC has a simple baby hat pattern in it too.

Originally Posted by Elroebot

I have at leastI plan on making some onesies out of vintage t-shirts though I've had a bit of trouble finding ribbing...I thought I'd be able to get it at Joanne's but the lady I asked said I had to make it myself????

Wow, I have no idea how you'd make it yourself unless you were going to knit it from scratch. Or maybe cut it from rib-knit fabric? I've seen a small selection of narrow ribbing by the yard at my local independent fabric store, but I can't remember ever seeing it at Joann's.

[ciar_aurora]

Ooh.....I'm a crafty mama!! Right now I have several works in progress as usual.

My main project is a sweater I am working on for DD...in a nice cadet blue color....lots of cables in this one....so it keeps me from getting bored with just plain knitting. I have the back done and I am halfway through the front on this one...I started it before I was preggo with baby # 2.

Then, last night I had a brainstorm so I started a second project....this one is for me. I was thumbing through one of my yarn catalogs and saw a pattern for a scarf that had a mitten and a glove attached to either end. Of course I don't have the pattern, so I am going to make something up as I go along. I am always cold in the winter....always wear a scarf and never seem to have anything to keep my hands warm....so I think this will be a great project and really cool when it is done. So a scarf with mittens knitted in...is project number 2.

I also plan on making something for baby number 2 as well as something for my sister in law who just found out she will be expecting her first in May. I saw a cute little layette set (sweater, booties and hat) that will be perfect for her...it also uses that yarn that knits up into a fair isle pattern so that should make it interesting as well.

So many things so little time!! Happy crafting all. Of course none of this covers my crochet projects!!

~Aurora

[wobblykate]

Originally Posted by ciar_aurora

I was thumbing through one of my yarn catalogs and saw a pattern for a scarf that had a mitten and a glove attached to either end.

I've done an easy kids' version of this for my nephew...just make the scarf 6 inches too long on each side and fold the end up to make a pocket and stitch up the sides. He loved it (mostly just liked filling the pockets with toys ).

[ms.shell]

that green sweater is gorgeous. i want to knit! i'm left handed tho and the instructions in books and online confuse me and i make a mess. i am hoping to meet some one irl to SHOW me how to cast on, etc and help me to know what im doing.
i do sew and quilt and want to get started on baby stuff (especially diapers) soon. but first i have to clean my craft room which is really out of hand! the cut table is piled high with papers and beads. and everything is all in a big jumbled up mess i am making it my most important chore to get done this week, tho. i should go in there today but i can tie dye in the kitchen and i just bought some baby onesies and some blank handkerchiefs for ds and have a few things saved up and some blue and green dye to play with. that will be more fun for today than organizing, lol (so much more fun to make messes than to clean them). i am glad you all started this thread and i love the links.

[bodhitree]

Originally Posted by ms.shell

i do sew and quilt and want to get started on baby stuff (especially diapers) soon. but first i have to clean my craft room which is really out of hand! the cut table is piled high with papers and beads. and everything is all in a big jumbled up mess i am making it my most important chore to get done this week, tho. i should go in there today but i can tie dye in the kitchen and i just bought some baby onesies and some blank handkerchiefs for ds and have a few things saved up and some blue and green dye to play with. that will be more fun for today than organizing, lol (so much more fun to make messes than to clean them). i am glad you all started this thread and i love the links.

I have to do something about my crafting area too. The problem is, the cat boxes are in there (it's a big room in the basement at the bottom of the stairs, probably meant as a family room) and it's just too stinky with my new superpowered nose, even though DH scoops the boxes at least every other day. Most of my knitting takes place in the recliner upstairs, but my sewing machine and ironing board are down in the basement and aren't usable for me right now.

And ooh, I'm excited to do some tie-dyeing too! I have to get my hands on some quality dye though. The only dyes in my stash are acid dyes for protein fibers, and I don't want to just use RIT because it's faded quite a bit for me in the past. What do you use, and where do you get it?

[skybluepink02]

I'm a sewer, so I'm planning to make their first outfits as well as diapers and such. I'm going to use the mosaic moon one size pattern, so they can use them a long time. I'll probably make lots of baby gowns too, since they're so easy to make.

[mamato2boys]

I've got some longies started, but I haven't done anything with them for weeks now. Hopefully I'll feel better and get motivated soon. I plan on sewing some pants and shirts too, but I don't have anything specific planned yet.

[Ilek]

I used to knit little shoes to my friend's babies (some pictures here and, err, if I find the other link i'll send it) but I haven't done anything yet for our little one. I likes so much the last one (last picture too) that I never finished (nor gave) it so... I guess that will be for us

I'm thinking of buying a sewing machine and take some classes... To be continued

[honeybunmom]

I'm at work, so I can't see any of the pictures right now that have been posted (image storing sites are blocked). I plan on knitting the Mommy Snug from Interweave Knits for myself. I started the Mommy Hoodie from Erika Knight awhile ago - not sure I'm going to finish that. Fortunately, it can be worn post-pregnancy, so, I'll eventually finish it.

I've knit 1 soaker for the baby, but I'm not crazy about it. I may re-do it . . . I'll definitely be knitting a bunch more and longies. This past Saturday I received my first order from Plumknit Yarn Supply. It is some super yummy cashmere dyed in the Bunny Hop colorway by Dyeing to Fly. I started swatching it on the bus this morning. I'm planning a kimono sweater for the baby with this stuff.

Oh, and I've knit the Baby Bolero for the babe.