Timing The Baby Shower: Before or After Birth?

You've just found out a close friend or relative is having a baby!  Such great news, and you are itching to plan the baby shower.  But, hold on, there's a really preliminary question you need to discuss with the mom- or parents-to-be -- when is the ideal time to have the baby shower, before or after the baby is born? Each option has its advantages and disadvantages, and the decision ultimately depends on personal preferences and circumstances and sometimes religious traditions.* 

 (photo credit to Heike Mintel on Unsplash.)

In this blog post, we'll explore the pros and cons of both pre-birth and post-birth baby showers to help you make an informed choice.

The Case for a Pre-Birth Baby Shower:

1. Preparation and Support: A pre-birth baby shower will definitely help the parents-to-be to be prepared for baby's arrival with all the essential items and gear. That way, there's time after the shower to take stock and fill in the gaps in advance. 

2. Easier Planning: As the host, you've got more time to organize a baby shower before the birth, and logistics may be simpler since the parents typically will be more available and can actively participate in planning without the demands of a newborn.

3. Celebration of Pregnancy: A pre-birth shower is as much about celebrating the parents-to-be, especially the pregnant lady herself, and provides an opportunity to honor the journey and share in the excitement of welcoming a new life.

The Case for a Post-Birth Baby Shower:

1. Gender Surprise: If parents choose not to reveal the baby's gender before birth, a post-birth shower allows for more customized gifts and a celebratory event that includes the baby.

2. Baby's Debut: A post-birth baby shower offers friends and family who might need to travel the chance to meet the baby in person. 

3. Reduced Stress: New parents who may be anxious about the baby's arrival for religious or medical reasons may appreciate celebrating once the baby has arrived. 

4. Inclusivity: Adoptive parents or those who become parents through surrogacy may prefer a post-birth shower to celebrate the baby's actual arrival.

Ultimately, the decision of when to have a baby shower, before or after the baby is born, hinges on individual circumstances, preferences, and cultural traditions. Both options have their merits, and there's no one-size-fits-all answer.

Help the parents-to-be consider factors such as timeline, personal comfort, and the desires of other close friends and family. Remember that, no matter when it happens, the meaningfulness of a baby shower remains the same: celebrating the joyous arrival of a new little human into the world!  With love and support of the community, the occasion will truly be special.

 (photo credit to Anne Nygard on Unsplash.)

*For example, many Jewish people avoid baby showers (and even avoid purchasing clothes or furniture for the baby before the baby is born) out of fear that such revelry might cause something bad to happen to the baby or the mother.

 

A Series of Blog Posts on Planning a Baby Shower

 Hello crocheters and knitters, it's been a minute, but I'm back and continuing my pivot into an area that we can't seem to stay away from (and don't want to!) -- preparing for a baby's arrival!  Whether you're about to become a parent or you're a close friend or relative of the pregnant one, making keepsake crocheted or knitted baby outfits and toys is such a joy.  But, sometimes, you want to do even more -- you want to host a baby shower!

(photo credit to aboodi vesakaran on Unsplash)

Well, you've come to the right place!  I'll be writing a series of blog posts that explore all the steps necessary to throw an amazing baby shower in an effort to curate for you the vast amount of information out there.  Plus, of course, I'm adding in tips on how crafters can bring special DIY elements to the celebration, not just the gifts. 

So, please subscribe to my blog and have this series (two blog posts a week) delivered straight to your inbox!

Crafting Serenity: A Crochet Offering for Your Jizo Statue

Gardens are spaces that hold a special place in our hearts, offering a serene sanctuary where nature's beauty can flourish. My friend has created such a wonderful garden oasis in her backyard, and she has an adorable Jizo statue.  She decided to get one for her garden because she was watching "Old Enough!" on Netflix, which is a Japanese reality show that follows young children leaving the house to run errands by themselves.  I know, sounds crazy to us in America, but it's a very natural tradition in Japan.  In one episode, one of the little girls makes an offering to a Jizo statue.  So, we thought that a little crochet hat for the Jizo would be a great offeringl.

But, before diving into the crochet project, it's essential to appreciate the significance of Jizo statues in Japanese culture and Buddhism. Jizo is a beloved bodhisattva known for his compassionate nature, protecting and guiding souls, especially those of children.  He is also called O-Jizo-san or O-Jizo-sama and is the guardian deity of children and travelers, playing the primary role of protector.  Since the color red is believed to ward off evil, the Japanese traditionally put red bibs and hoods on Jizo to protect the statue, but all colors are used these days. You will find Jizo statues in many places: in Buddhist temples, graveyards, at the side of the road in the countryside, and at the corner of some streets in cities.  In gardens, Jizo statues often represent a peaceful, nurturing presence, serving as a reminder of the interconnectedness of all living beings and the transient nature of life.

So, we had a lovely afternoon sitting next to her garden, crocheting an offering for the Jizo!

 

And I thought I'd share the pattern so you could make one for your Jizo too!  First, we measured his head above the ears, and it was 13 inches.  Following the formula of 3.14x = 13, we figured out that we'd need to crochet a circle that was about 4 inches in diameter.

I used Red Heart Soft yarn (really a beautiful, soft yet durable acrylic yarn available in so many different colors!) and an H hook.

Round 1: ch 2, make 6 scs in second chain from hook, sl st to top of first st (6 sts)

Round 2: ch 1, 2 scs in each st around, sl st to top of first st (12 sts)

Round 3: ch 1, 1 sc in same st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next st, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (18 sts)

Round 4: ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 2 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (24 sts)

Round 5: ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next 2 sts, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 3 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (30 sts)

Round 6:  ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next 3 st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 4 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (36 sts)

Round 7:  ch 1, 1 sc in same st and next 4 st, 2 scs in next st, (1 sc in next 5 sts, 2 scs in next st) around, sl st to top of first st (42 sts)

Round 8: ch 1, 1 sc in same and each st around, sl st to top of first st (42 sts)

Rounds 9-11: repeat Round 8

Round 12: ch 2, 1 dc in same and each st around, sl st to top of first st and fasten off.  

Weave in ends and get ready to have one serene and well-protected Jizo statue!

Designing a Baby Hat, Part 2 (The Knit Version, continued)

 We’re finally ready to cast on!  So far, we’ve decided to make a knit beanie hat for a newborn, estimating that the circumference will be around 14 inches.  We’re going to make about a 3/4 to 1 inches 2x2 ribbed brim for the hat, so we need a stretchy cast-on method.  There are so many different ways to cast on before knitting (a plug for crochet — the chain stitch is the only way you need to get started with crochet!), but the stretchiest cast-on method I’ve come across is Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Slip Knot Cast On.  It’s worth practicing and using for ribbed knitting, it makes for a stretchy and pretty edging (and, though we won’t need it for this project, she’s also got a great stretchy bind off too, available at this link).

If you want a tighter rib, experiment with using a smaller needle size (or switching to a larger size for the body of the hat).

After casting on and knitting the knit 2x2 rib brim (a design element is deciding the length of the ribbing), then it’s time to think about what stitch(es) you want to use to create the “body” of the hat.  Or maybe you just want to use the knit stitch and play with colors and striping (using the Fibonacci sequence for figuring out how many rows per stripe can make for interesting patterns).  I leave the creativity up to you, but you still need to figure out about how high to make the sides of the hat.  The formula is to divide the circumference (in our case here, 14 inches) by pi (3.14), which equals 4.46 inches.  Again, just an estimate  to get you started, the exact measurement will depend on your gauge, the stretchiness of the fabric, and the fit of the hat you want to create.

You’ll also need to experiment with when to start decreasing stitches and at what rate.  You might want the beanie to have a little extra slouch rather than fit snuggly, or you might want a close-to-the-head fit.  Consider how you’re going to finish off the top of the hat (A pompom? A knot?).  Be creative and experiment!

In my next post, we’ll start planning a crochet hat.

Designing a Baby Hat, Part 2 (the Knit Version)

By now, I’m sure you’re wondering, when are we actually going to start making a hat?!  But, trust me, a little preplanning during the design phase will really help when it comes to the making stage.  And, crocheters, forgive me, but when it comes to hats, the knit version is usually an easier project for a newborn because the extra give and stretchiness will help if sizing is off.  In my next post, we’ll talk about designing a crochet baby hat for a six-month old.

Our first design project is going to be a knit beanie hat for a newborn-to-three month old.  

We’ve gotten a lot accomplished so far:  we’ve picked out just the right yarn for this project (a DK weight super wash wool yarn); we’ve decided what type of baby hat to make (a beanie), and, now, we’re going to figure out what size to make it.  The decision about needle size has kind of been made for us since we decided to use DK yarn, but feel free to experiment with needle sizes during the next step (yarn swatch) to see and feel the different fabrics that result from the changes in needle size.  I suggest that, since we’re making a hat that doesn’t require a “drape” and that we want to be a little denser for warmth, you start with the needle size suggested on the yarn’s wrapper or a size smaller.  I usually use a size 5 (3.75 mm) or size 6 (4.00 mm) needle with DK yarn.

So, as I remarked above, the first step in this process is going to be knitting a little swatch to get familiar with our yarn (I know, I know, no one wants to hear about, much less make, a “gauge swatch” as it is called, but, since we are starting from scratch in designing this baby hat, we’ve got to get a feel for how this yarn is going to operate, especially if we are experimenting with needle sizes).  We’ll want to knit a 4 inch by 4 inch square to see how many stitches in a 4 inch row we get as well as how many rows we get in a 4 inch length.  Once we get a swatch whose fabric we like, we’ll want to wash it to see what that does to our swatch.  Once you wash and block the swatch, you’ll then measure again to see if there’s been any shrinkage or stretch.  

Now that we know what to expect of our yarn, we can start calculating how many stitches we need to cast on for the hat.  An average head circumference for a newborn is around 13.5 inches/34 cm, and baby’s head will grow to about 14.5 inches/37 cm in the first three months.  So, we’re going to average that out to about 14 inches since our knit hat should have enough give in it to stretch as baby grows (and it might be a bit big at first, but not for long!).  

Here’s where some basic math is going to come in handy — we are going to multiply the number of stitches we counted in our 4 inch row by 3.5.  For example, if we had 18 stitches in our gauge swatch, we’ll want to cast on 64 stitches (I know, the math actually came out to 63 stitches, but I like using even numbers).

Oh, I should have mentioned that, with a knit hat, it is easier to start at the brim and knit, then decrease to create the crown.  When we discuss making a crocheted hat, I will suggest starting at the crown and increasing stitches to work our way down to the brim.

Now, here is where the fun and aggravation starts!  Cast on 64 stitches, knit them up and see if you’re getting about 14 inches of outcome.  It’s hard to tell when the stitches are on the needles, but you’ll need to be prepared to experiment with the needle sizes and yarn to see if you’re getting the results you want.  

Decision point:  do you want a ribbed brim or a rolled brim for the beanie?  This is an aesthetic decision, though it too could affect the stitch count and sizing of the hat.  Ribbing makes the hat stretchier, which helps us with the sizing; a rolled brim is just easier in terms of getting started.  I prefer the ribbed brim because I really like the look of using a 2x2 ribbing.  

In the next post, we will talk about stretchy cast-on options and how to plan out the height of the hat to crown to ensure a proportionate hat in terms of width and height and its design elements.

Designing a Baby Hat, Part 1 (General Considerations)

As I’ve discussed in previous posts, one of the first choices I make in designing baby clothes is the yarn choice, both in terms of thickness and fiber (as well as color and price).  But, hand in hand with these choices is a consideration of what it is you want to design and make.  Oh, and of course, whether you want to crochet or knit (or maybe even both!).

Over the years, I’ve usually made a hat and booties as a baby shower gift because they’re the first items that baby is going to need in those first few months and estimating the right sizing is not as difficult.  A blanket is a good choice too, if you have the time to make it (and we’ll talk about blankets and timing of projects in a future post).  As baby grows and develops a personality, then it becomes easier to plan out more elaborate projects, like sweaters, other garments, and toys as well.

 Hats are easier than booties, so let’s start there.  First, what kind of hat do you want to make?  There are a lot of different styles, but here are a few that are perfect for baby:

    1. The beanie - a great choice for baby because it’s easy to get on and off, and it can be adjusted to fit snugly around baby’s head while leaving some room for growth.  Beanies are also great during the creative process because you can use a wide range of rib and stitch patterns, from basic to complex.  Beanies are usually knitted, but there are crochet versions that can work out nicely too.

    2. The ear flap hat - this hat type is similar to the beanie but has flaps that come down over the ears to provide extra warmth and protection from the cold.  Shaping can be a bit of a design challenge, but the ear flap hat is a great choice for crocheters because it’s a more structured hat that’s easier to shape using crochet techniques.  Plus, it’s fun to embellish the hat with braids, tassels, or Pom Poms!

    3. The baby bonnet - if you're looking for a traditional style of baby hat, the bonnet is perfect for both crocheters and knitters.  This type of hat covers the head and ties under the chin, often made with a delicate lace or cable pattern, though simple, sturdy versions are available as well.

    4.  The beret or tam - for a bit of baby flare, the beret or tam is a statement piece that's worn slouchy or slanted on the head.  For this hat, you'll want to use a lighter weight yarn to create a relaxed fabric with drape, and you might want to use some novelty yarns for extra fluff.  This hat works up well in either crochet or knit.

    5. The newsboy cap - another great hat type for baby is the newsboy cap, which has a rounded crown and a visor.  It's more structured and gives the opportunity to use a textured pattern, like basketweave or herringbone, to create a warm and protective hat.  It’s a great project for a crocheter, but there are knit versions as well.

 If you're a beginner to intermediate crocheter, I'd suggest going with the baby bonnet or beret; for knitters, the beanie or bonnet are good choices.  In my next post, we'll talk about making some final decisions on yarn and type of hat; then, we’ll start facing some new decisions to make.  We'll also start talking about sizing and how to take or estimate measurements.

Choosing the Right Yarn for Baby, Part 2

Another important consideration for choosing the right yarn for a baby project is the weight of the yarn.  Again, a lot of initial considerations go into making a good choice: for example, climate where baby lives, ease of care, and the look of the finished piece.

Yarn weight is the measure of thickness of the yarn, which affects the drape, gauge, and finish of your baby project.  Generally, “baby” or “DK” (double knitting) is recommended for use when making baby clothes.  These yarn weights are lighter and more delicate, creating a soft and comfortable fabric for baby’s sensitive skin (especially when combined with the right fibers).  It’s this combination of fiber and thickness that directly affects the care instructions and overall durability of yarn (as well as the size of the crochet hook and/or knitting needles you’ll use for the project).

Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that is slightly thicker than baby or DK weight yarn.  It’s a popular choice for a lot of different types of crochet and knit projects, but sometimes can be too thick or not drape-y enough for a baby item.  But, if baby does live in a colder climate, worsted weight yarn can create a warm outer garment or blanket that’ll get a lot of use.  Be sure to follow the care instructions to ensure that the item is safe and comfortable for baby.

In my next post, we’ll explore some good combinations of yarn weight and fibers to make a baby hat, which might be the first project in creating baby’s first year wardrobe that you want to undertake because it’s a great newborn gift and shouldn’t take too long to make.