Sometimes, a little pink is necessary

 I made this blanket for Adam's sister's new baby girl. We're hoping to go and meet her next weekend, and will be presenting this to her. Pure merino wool with a satin binding, perfect and snuggly for a little baby, but (magically) machine washable, so it can go in with everything else when it inevitably gets covered in grime! I hate to knit things that can't be properly used. I'd much rather a blanket or anything else I make got used, even ruined, rather than sitting on a shelf being kept 'for best' forever.

I love giving handmade gifts now that I've got a bit more in the swing of doing it - I found it a little stressful when I first started, but now I'm beginning to get into the habit of thinking what I might like to give people a couple of months in advance (of birthdays, Chrismas and other celebrations), giving myself plenty of time to plan and make things, I'm really loving it. I've yet to give a handmade gift to someone who hasn't appreciated all the time, effort, love and enjoyment (yes, I really do enjoy doing it!) that goes into something handmade.

 Knitting this blanket has been an education as well as a lovely way to pass the evenings (giving me a fabulous excuse to sit in front of the TV doing nothing else), I've learned loads of new techniques (I had never attempted a cable before starting this blanket, and the bobbles took more than a few attempts to perfect), and can't wait to start a new project, perhaps using some of my new skill set. Maybe I'll even - finally - knit Teddy a blanket! Or maybe I'll continue on my quilt top. Or maybe I'll finish the baby album. Or maybe... who knows?

I know that Adam's sister and her husband aren't hugely into gender sterotyping, but I wanted to lift the blanket a little and I thought that the spotty pink binding was the perfect way to do it. Hopefully they'll agree!

 p.s: always include washing instructions and a bit of spare yarn for mending whenever you give anyone a knitted gift. Makes life much less confusing for them, especially if they are non-knitters!

Comments

[N Hamilton]

What a beautiful blanket! Inspiring me to make something similar for my sister's newest little one due in a few months.
Did you follow a pattern (if so, where could I get a copy) or just design it yourself?

[Islay]

Thank you! I was so pleased with the way it turned out in the end, after a few less then perfect squares in the beginning.

The pattern is from Debbie Abraham's book 'Blankets and throws to knit: patterns and piecing instructions for 100 knitted squares', available on Amazon. She has a one or two other blanket pattern books available on there too, all lovely.

Happy knitting!