Yup, "Aunt Phyllis" is gearing up for some upcoming baby showers and arrivals! And, though I've written about baby wear before, I'm not sure I've done it in an organized way all in one place, so I'll be putting together a series of posts on baby gifts that will link back to this outline post.
So, first, I wanted to do an overview of "baby essentials" (and then focus on items that can/should be crocheted or knitted). Boy, does this concept mean different things to different mamas! Basal Baby has simple, beautiful gift subscriptions for organic cotton basics for baby's first year, but it's a bit pricey. Primary.com also has baby and kids clothes in simple styles and bright colors, and you can get 25% off on your first order (enter code: WELCOME25). Now I haven't tried nor have any affiliation with either one but each caught my eye during research for this post.
I think the most comprehensive and well-thought out checklist for baby essentials and add-ons I came across is the one on Squawkfox. There's a downloadable checklist and some great tips on how to save $$ on baby clothes.
So, here's what I'm going to be concentrating on in terms of baby shower gifts you'll want to crochet or knit (starting at the top!):
1) Hat
Depending on when baby is going to arrive, which may dictate the style and thickness of yarn you use, a handmade hat could be the perfect baby shower gift. There are just so many beautiful crochet and knit baby hat patterns out there! And it can be a quick and easy project with yarns that you already have on hand but still a really special and useful item. In a future post, I'll be discussing the different styles and constructions of baby hats and suggesting some ways to make decisions from the vast array of choices you have!
2) Bib
The bib truly is a canvas, for baby with his or her food but for you as a creative crocheter or knitter. Chances are your handmade bib is going to be a keepsake and used for photo sessions with baby, which frankly gives you a lot of latitude to create something one-of-a-kind and really special. One thought is to package together a set of practical, easy-to-wash bibs along with your handmade gem.
3) Sweater/Jacket
You might want to save this project for baby's first birthday so that you can really plan a customized style, color and yarn weight that fits just right. A baby sweater or jacket is a great project for the crocheter or knitter who's ready to experiment with garment construction. Again, the patterns out there are endless, so, in a future post, I'll explore some ways to choose a pattern that will result in a fun project for you and an amazing wearable for baby.
4) Blanket
A baby blanket is a great crochet or knit project for the beginner because it gives you the chance to hone your stitching skills while creating a useful item that baby will drag around for years! Which should steer you towards choosing a soft yet sturdy and easily washed yarn choice. In a future post, I'll concentrate on providing the various sizes of baby blankets based on intended use as well as the yarn properties to consider when planning your project.
5) Booties
If you're looking for a baby shower gift that will have the future mom and guests ooohing and ahhhing, little baby booties get them every time! Add a coordinating hat, and you'll be getting orders on the spot. Top considerations for this project include a) fit so that they aren't easily kicked off by baby and b) style (Mary Janes, cowboy booties, etc), so I'll be posting some tips and tricks to optimize and customize.
I'm really looking forward to exploring these and other crochet and knit projects for baby with you!! I've got placeholders in each category where I will insert links to the future posts as they get done, so you might want to save this post link since it will have everything in one place.
Showing posts with label #thecrochetlifestyle. Show all posts
Showing posts with label #thecrochetlifestyle. Show all posts
Tuesday, July 19, 2016
Monday, January 4, 2016
Hello 2016!
Well, here we are again, at the beginning of a new year! I try to look at the upcoming 12 months optimistically, a whole new clean slate on which to do whatever it is you want to do. Of course, it's bittersweet because I always go back to the first post of the previous year to see what I did, and did not, accomplish. The two blog posts a week plan sure didn't get done; I did participate more on Facebook, and I've discovered I really enjoy the interaction and some of the new tools that have been added; and I have been much better about actually starting and finishing projects -- you all just haven't heard about them... yet!
So, for 2016, here are my three goals:
1) a realistic and meaningful blog post schedule
As much as I read about the importance of consistency in posting, I think, or at least am hoping, that you all will appreciate fewer but more meaningful posts. I really don't want to slap something up here for the sake of posting and not have it be worthwhile for the reader. Now, I know, don't let perfection get in the way of progress, and I won't/can't, but this year is really going to be about meaningfulness. Quality above quantity and meeting crocheters' needs.
2) a focus on techniques and projects
"Give a pattern to a crocheter, and she's (or he) got one project; teach a new technique to a crocheter, and she's got a lifetime of possibilities." Or something like that ;-). I really want to approach this new year in learning and teaching mode. Don't get me wrong, I too love just picking up a pattern and knowing/hoping that I can follow it and end up with a wonderful finished item. I've actually been doing that a lot this past year, and I think it's going to make me an even better pattern writer. But, there are times when the pattern isn't just the way I want it, and I think it's important to stray from the directions and add my own touches. I really want to empower other crocheters to feel comfortable doing the same. Not everyone's got a local yarn store where they can get assistance and build community. That's the beauty of the Internet, we can do it right here!
3) explore the "crochet/knit lifestyle"
I hinted last year at my observation that crocheting (and knitting) are more than just hobbies; they really are important aspects of life itself. You know what I mean -- you start crocheting or knitting, and you just get this feeling. Not just about the particular project you are making but about the process you're engaging in as well as about your surroundings. I really want to spend this year exploring and conveying specifically what this means. Again, due to modern life, we don't have the communities and kinships that we used to, but I have noticed on Facebook in particular and the Internet in general, that like-minded souls do seem to find each other :-). And, I'm sure you've noticed my references to knitting as well. I really want to incorporate more knitting into my projects because, let's face it, there are certain knitting techniques that work better than crochet for certain aspects of a project (think ribbing!). I also get a different feeling when I knit than when I crochet (maybe because I haven't been knitting for as long), and I think that phenomenon will be worth exploring as well.
So, perhaps loftier goals for 2016, but hopefully ones you will want to explore with me! Happy New Year everyone, here's to making it a great one!!
So, for 2016, here are my three goals:
1) a realistic and meaningful blog post schedule
As much as I read about the importance of consistency in posting, I think, or at least am hoping, that you all will appreciate fewer but more meaningful posts. I really don't want to slap something up here for the sake of posting and not have it be worthwhile for the reader. Now, I know, don't let perfection get in the way of progress, and I won't/can't, but this year is really going to be about meaningfulness. Quality above quantity and meeting crocheters' needs.
2) a focus on techniques and projects
"Give a pattern to a crocheter, and she's (or he) got one project; teach a new technique to a crocheter, and she's got a lifetime of possibilities." Or something like that ;-). I really want to approach this new year in learning and teaching mode. Don't get me wrong, I too love just picking up a pattern and knowing/hoping that I can follow it and end up with a wonderful finished item. I've actually been doing that a lot this past year, and I think it's going to make me an even better pattern writer. But, there are times when the pattern isn't just the way I want it, and I think it's important to stray from the directions and add my own touches. I really want to empower other crocheters to feel comfortable doing the same. Not everyone's got a local yarn store where they can get assistance and build community. That's the beauty of the Internet, we can do it right here!
3) explore the "crochet/knit lifestyle"
I hinted last year at my observation that crocheting (and knitting) are more than just hobbies; they really are important aspects of life itself. You know what I mean -- you start crocheting or knitting, and you just get this feeling. Not just about the particular project you are making but about the process you're engaging in as well as about your surroundings. I really want to spend this year exploring and conveying specifically what this means. Again, due to modern life, we don't have the communities and kinships that we used to, but I have noticed on Facebook in particular and the Internet in general, that like-minded souls do seem to find each other :-). And, I'm sure you've noticed my references to knitting as well. I really want to incorporate more knitting into my projects because, let's face it, there are certain knitting techniques that work better than crochet for certain aspects of a project (think ribbing!). I also get a different feeling when I knit than when I crochet (maybe because I haven't been knitting for as long), and I think that phenomenon will be worth exploring as well.
So, perhaps loftier goals for 2016, but hopefully ones you will want to explore with me! Happy New Year everyone, here's to making it a great one!!
Tuesday, January 6, 2015
Welcome 2015!
Go figure that the first half of my last post of 2014 didn't publish...
But we are not looking back, here's to a New Year and a clean slate :-)
So, what do I aspire to accomplish this year?
1) Blog posts twice a week
One of my action items for this year is to get back onto a blogging schedule of two posts a week (I had been doing that a while back...). Once a week (probably Tuesdays), I plan on focusing on basic crochet techniques and building to more advanced ones through the year. What will be different about my posts? My aim is to "curate" the technique, meaning that I will try to find, in my opinion, the best sources out there on the chosen technique and present them to you all in one place. There are A LOT of crochet blogs out there now, and I've come across some really good ones. I want to give credit where it's due and not reinvent the wheel unless I can't find what I think is a definitive, clear presentation of the technique.
The second post each week (probably Fridays), I plan on sharing something along the lines of "learn, make and grow through crochet" by returning to a fundamental objective that I had when I first started this blog -- experiencing crochet in a holistic way through the mind, the body and the spirit. Recently I was explaining to a non-crocheter that crochet is a lifestyle enhancer in so many ways. And it conjures up many images doesn't it? A basket of yarn nestled next to a crocheter, who is stretched out in a favorite sitting area, perhaps with a steaming (or cold) beverage at the ready, working away on a project that is most likely a gift or donation for someone special. I want to explore how crocheters live "the crochet lifestyle" and the different ways that lifestyle manifests itself.
2) More communications and interactions
I admit that I am a "stalker" on Facebook and share others' posts without really putting myself out there. This year I plan on exploring different ways to interact and communicate with crocheters who are seeking the same thing. Frankly, I'm not sure that Facebook is the best venue for accomplishing this goal, so I'll be exploring different platforms that might work better.
3) More follow through
You all know that I have the best of intentions, but let's face it, I don't always follow through as I should or in a timely manner. So, my third goal this coming year is to finish what I start and (try) not get distracted by (too many) bright, shiny objects!
So, once again, I am trying to lay out my plans and aspirations for the upcoming year and hold myself accountable for achieving them (or at least moving closer to achieving them). I look forward to this journey and hope that you all will join me for the ride :-)
But we are not looking back, here's to a New Year and a clean slate :-)
So, what do I aspire to accomplish this year?
1) Blog posts twice a week
One of my action items for this year is to get back onto a blogging schedule of two posts a week (I had been doing that a while back...). Once a week (probably Tuesdays), I plan on focusing on basic crochet techniques and building to more advanced ones through the year. What will be different about my posts? My aim is to "curate" the technique, meaning that I will try to find, in my opinion, the best sources out there on the chosen technique and present them to you all in one place. There are A LOT of crochet blogs out there now, and I've come across some really good ones. I want to give credit where it's due and not reinvent the wheel unless I can't find what I think is a definitive, clear presentation of the technique.
The second post each week (probably Fridays), I plan on sharing something along the lines of "learn, make and grow through crochet" by returning to a fundamental objective that I had when I first started this blog -- experiencing crochet in a holistic way through the mind, the body and the spirit. Recently I was explaining to a non-crocheter that crochet is a lifestyle enhancer in so many ways. And it conjures up many images doesn't it? A basket of yarn nestled next to a crocheter, who is stretched out in a favorite sitting area, perhaps with a steaming (or cold) beverage at the ready, working away on a project that is most likely a gift or donation for someone special. I want to explore how crocheters live "the crochet lifestyle" and the different ways that lifestyle manifests itself.
2) More communications and interactions
I admit that I am a "stalker" on Facebook and share others' posts without really putting myself out there. This year I plan on exploring different ways to interact and communicate with crocheters who are seeking the same thing. Frankly, I'm not sure that Facebook is the best venue for accomplishing this goal, so I'll be exploring different platforms that might work better.
3) More follow through
You all know that I have the best of intentions, but let's face it, I don't always follow through as I should or in a timely manner. So, my third goal this coming year is to finish what I start and (try) not get distracted by (too many) bright, shiny objects!
So, once again, I am trying to lay out my plans and aspirations for the upcoming year and hold myself accountable for achieving them (or at least moving closer to achieving them). I look forward to this journey and hope that you all will join me for the ride :-)
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