Last night I finished up the little knitting project I spoke about a few weeks ago. It was a great project, perfect to knit while traveling. And although I don't have a cute, chubby cheeked baby to model it, here's the Stella Pixie Hat that I knitted from the pattern in Vintage Baby Knits by Kristen Rengren. I loved knitting this hat!
(my pixie hat – unblocked and needing a button)
(Stella Pixie Hat from the book)
I cannot say enough nice things about this book. It has great projects
– sweaters, blankets, toys, slippers, soakers, hats and more.
Kristen's directions are well written and easy to follow. She explains
the orgins of each pattern and talks about the history of knitting in
different decades. Additionally, it is a complete visual treat – the
photography by Thayer Allyson Gowdy is beautiful and the sweet babes
modeling the projects are absolutely adorable. As part of her blog tour, Kristen and I had a chance to chat about her book the other day. We focused on what to keep in mind when knitting for baby. Here's what Kristen had to say:
Erin: Hand knitted items
are great for gifts, especially for the littlest people in our lives.
What should you keep in mind when knitting for a baby?
Kristen: The first thing I ask myself is if this garment is appropriate
for this particular baby. Where
does the baby live? In what season is the baby going to wear this garment,
taking into account when I’m likely to finish it? Will they get at least one and hopefully two
or three seasons of wear out of it? (I often like to knit projects in
relatively fine gauges, because a lighter garment can be used as a layer and
will therefore get more wear across the seasons; I also find that babies tend
to get lots of use out of light blankets and stretchy hats , which take longer to
become undersized.
Once I’ve thought about that, my next concern is whether or
not anything
about the parents gives me clues as to what to knit. While my first impulse is to
knit what I
think is cute,
if the parents won’t like it, it’ll never get worn. I think about their tastes, their style, and their lifestyles, and
try to pick a project that will match those predilections. Would they prefer a special garment to be
worn only a few times, or would they feel happier if I gave them something more
prosaic that they could use every day? I
also try to consider what I know about their ideas about colors and gender –
parents can be surprisingly particular one way or another. And I think about the care required for the
garment – some parents don’t mind hand-washing and prefer to avoid the chemical
treatment required to make super-wash yarns, while other parents would strongly
prefer something they could throw in the washing machine.
That said, sometimes it’s not possible to gauge too much
about the parent’s preferences. In those
cases I try to knit something practical, unisex, washable, and in neutral or
bright colors that are likely to please anyone.
Finally, I can’t stress enough that if I’m ever to finish a
garment on time, it’s important to think realistically about how much time I
have to devote to the knitting. Just
because a baby garment is small doesn’t necessarily mean that it’ll be fast – that
depends
on how involved the pattern is and upon how many stitches it requires. In general, for safety’s sake, I presume that a knitting project will
take me twice as long as I think, because life has a habit of getting in the
way of knitting for everybody.
(Dewey Cabled Pullover)
Erin: Babies come in all
different shapes and sizes. One of my daughters was 4 lbs., 13 oz. at
birth and the other was 8 lbs., 7 oz. How do you choose what size to knit
for a baby that hasn't been born yet? Or for that matter, for a baby that
will certainly grow before you finish the project?
Kristen: The short answer is, When in doubt, knit big – some babies
wouldn’t fit into the smallest size even at birth. Knitting a larger size can also mean more
longevity for a garment. Pants or
sleeves can be rolled up, and pullovers or cardigans can be worn big until baby
grows into them.
Erin: When knitting baby
sweaters, I tend to choose cotton yarns because they are washable. Are
there other yarns to consider when knitting for babies?
Kristen: The first
consideration is what material to use.
Personally, I prefer wool, which is lightweight; holds
many times its weight in water; wicks moisture away from the skin; and helps
regulate temperature, keeping baby warm in winter and cool in summer. The idea that all wool is too scratchy for
babies is generally a myth, and wool allergies are actually very rare – there are
many kinds of wool, both soft and not, so the best way to test it is to hold it
up against your face. (If you have
reason to suspect that there may be wool allergies, of course, or if the
parents just don’t believe in wool for babies, it’s best to avoid wool, no
matter how soft.) Other potential
animal fibers to use include alpaca, which is many times warmer than wool, and
appropriate mainly for a baby in a cold-weather climate; silk, which is
inelastic and harder to wash, but has a lovely drape and softness for a special
project; and of course cashmere.
Plant fibers have some advantages and disadvantages. Cotton is cool and soft, but very heavy when
wet, and babies are often wet! Hemp and
linen take many washings to become soft enough for baby, but they make great
baby garments – they’re cool in summer, they’re completely washable, and they
drape beautifully. Bamboo, while
inelastic, also has a nice drape, and tends to be very soft.
And then of course there are man-made fibers. Whether or not to use them is a matter of
personal choice. From
the perspective of convenience, there is no longer a huge difference between
acrylic fibers and those made of natural materials. Superwash yarns eliminate the need to hand-wash wool, and even hand-wash garments can be easily
and inexpensively laundered using any of the the new no-rinse garment washes
available today. That said, acrylic
is no longer the scratchy Orlon of the 1970s, and there are many nice acrylics
and acrylic blends.
In terms of “natural” vs. “man-made” yarns, it’s important to remember that many
yarns made of natural materials, including super-wash wools and yarns made from
non-traditional materials such as bamboo or corn, are made in part using
chemical processes and/or dyed using non-chemical dyes . Unless yarn is
made of locally grown material, its carbon footprint is also made larger by the
considerable amount of fuel that it takes to ship it from grower to mill to
consumer. With that in mind, because they are so often derived from petroleum
products, and because they involve the same long hauls in shipping terms, acrylic yarns tend to have an even larger carbon
footprint than natural materials. So the
choice is purely personal.
No matter what material you choose, it’s important to check
the label for care instructions. While
many yarns are machine washable, there are also many yarns that require
hand-washing, regardless of their material.
(Maude Honeycomb Blanket)
Erin: What do knitters need
to keep in mind when it comes to keeping babies safe?
Kristen: Buttons and snaps are okay to use with most baby garments,
but you’ll need to be sure to sew them on very tightly, using two to three
times as much thread as you might use to secure a button on an adult garment
and knotting the ends very tightly so your sewing can’t unravel. It’s also a good idea to regularly check such
fasteners, and to keep an eye out for any which might become loose. Some parents prefer to use garments with buttons
only when the baby is supervised; other parents prefer to make short i-cord or
crochet ties instead.
While ribbons and drawstrings at the neck have literally
been used for centuries, it’s best to either use them in a garment that can be
worn when baby is supervised, or leave them out and let the baby wear the
garment open.
Take extra care when putting a garment with buttonholes on a
baby, because you don’t want baby’s fingers to get stuck in them. The same goes for lace garments – you just
need to be careful that they don’t get tangled up in the lacy holes.
As far as yarns go, most modern yarns are pretty safe. While it’s
true that many acrylic yarns are not fire-proof, neither is most children’s
clothing, and thankfully situations that warrant this concern are extremely rare.
If you are
seriously worried about fire hazards, stick with wool, which is
naturally fire retardant.
(Frankie Striped Socks)
Erin: Which of the projects
in the book are good for beginning knitters? And which ones should be
tackled by those with more knitting experience?
Kristen: The Milo Soakers are probably the easiest pattern in the
book, requiring only a knowledge of how to cast on and off, and how to knit and
purl. The Stella Pixie Hat is another
easy project that’s very enjoyable, and the Floyd and Dewey sweaters are among
the easiest in the book. On the other
end of the spectrum is the Avery Christening Gown & Frock – definitely a
project that requires a little more focus.
But one cool thing about vintage knitting books is that they
never gave skill levels, because they assumed – quite correctly – that anyone
who can knit and purl could learn to take on any project. And that is totally true – any pattern in
Vintage Baby Knits is completely do-able by any knitter, with enough
concentration and maybe a little practice.
(Daisy Soaker)
Erin: Speaking of soakers, can you tell us a little about them? I know there are many parents out there who are cloth diapering. What should we know?
Kristen: If you cloth diaper, wool soakers are really great, mainly
because of wool’s amazing properties. Wool is antimicrobial, it’s absorbent, and
it wicks moisture away from the skin.
When properly lanolized, they can hold many times their own weight in
liquid on the inside, while miraculously neither feeling nor smelling wet on
the outside! They stay comfortable for baby for an astonishingly long time
after a leak. What’s more, once wet, they can simply be hung out to dry, with
no odor at all – meaning that as long as they are not soiled, they can be worn
many times without needing to be washed and lanolized. (Lanolization is the simple process of
soaking the soakers in a mixture of lanolin and hot water, until the natural
lanolin has been restored to the wool.)
For any cloth diapering parent, I highly recommend trying it – our
grandparents were really onto something!
If you don’t cloth diaper, of
course, wool soakers just make cute pants, too.
Erin: They sure do! Thanks for your time, Kristen. I'm really looking forward to casting on another project from Vintage Baby Knits!
* * *
To find out more about Vintage Baby Knits, visit the other stops on Kristen's blog tour. You can learn more about vintage knitting on Kristen's own blog, Retroknit Design.
Do you want a copy of this fantastic book? I thought you did! Leave a comment on this post before Friday at noon and I will draw winning name. You can also enter to win one of three copies that STC Craft| Melanie Falick Books is giving away. Click here for more information.
Hi Erin,
I recently found your blog via Soulemama and am so grateful for your perspectives. Your blog is witty, inspiring, and yet feels so genuine. You are not afraid to share the challenges that life throws at us. Thank you for being real life. This approach makes your blog easy to relate to as well as inspirational.
My little one has inspired me to begin knitting. I have done some crocheting and am eager to expand into knitting. This book sounds fabulous!
Thank you for your daily musings….I am an avid follower!
very informative. thanks for sharing.
oh, I could use a book like this! Lots of baby gifts in my future!
Thanks for sharing this. I don’t have a wee one any more, but now I get to make things for friends who do!
That pixie hat is the so adorably cute I can’t stand it. I almost want to make one for ME! 🙂
I LOVE those striped socks. Adorable hat.
I would love this book! My best friend is pregnant and I think she would love everyone of these baby items!
These look like the most wonderful things to work on while I’m waiting (im)patiently for our first little one to be born in February!
Thank you so much for sharing!
I would love to win a copy of this book. I do a lot of baby knitting and the projects from this book are so cute.
Thanks for being so generous! I love that honeycomb blanket.
Would love to have some new projects to work on!
Thanks!
That was a really great interview! I look forward to flipping through this book!
i haven’t done too much knitting, especially recently, but thee projects sound doable! and not to mention totally cute! Would love to win – thanks so much!
love the pixie hat! found your blog by way of Soulemama. i think i’ll take out my knitting needles – i’ve been inspired!
This book looks so great. I’d love a chance to win (I can’t knit, but my partner can, and we need some more soakers!) 🙂 Thanks!
Ooh, I need to try those soakers! Thanks!
In hopes of swaying the odds in my favor, I did just find out that I am going to have a niece or nephew in March…this book sure would be helpful for gifts!!
I really want this book to get started on making beautiful baby gifts for my friends who are slowly but surely starting families. How cute!
I’m working on my first soaker right now. Would love to add this to the collection!
Wool soakers were the first thing I knit six years ago after having learned the basics as a kid but nene really “getting” it. I have since become obsessed and would love this book!
What a great book! It’s currently out at my local book store, so a giveaway is just perfect! Can’t wait to see your next project.
The pixie hat is too cute. I think I might have to make one!
Oh my gosh, the cuteness! I made four wonderful pixie hats just like this one for four different babies last winter and loved every single one … this book looks like it is a treasure trove of fun stuff. I would love it!
Hello! Thanks for the post. It was very informative and helpful.
All of the projects shown are so cute! Perfect for all the new babies my friends keep having.
I love the book! I’m about to be a grammy for the first time and have been knitting up a storm for my vintage inspired daughter-in-law! Hope to win a copy…
I have been eying this book on Ravelry. Such sweet patterns!
Nice hat and nice interview!
pick me pick me pick me (fingers crossed)
This is one I’d definitely like for my knitting book library 🙂
I *LOVE* this book. It combines three of my favorite things: babies, knitting, and vintage. I’m excited to start a project from it soon.
PS: Sorry, don’t pick me, I already have a copy.
oooohhhhhhh! yes yes yes!!!!! I love soakers and need a cute pattern! LOVE that hat too, great job! Thanks for the offer 🙂
Cloth diapering mama here 😉
Every project shown looks great, and that honeycomb blanket is to die for! I’d love a chance to make one myself. Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
Hmmm…I cloth diaper so the soaker project sounds quite intriguing.
This hat is adorable. Based on this and some other patterns I’ve seen from the book, I’m adding Vintage Baby Knits to my amazon.com wishlist!
What a delightful interview. While I knit, I’ve never done so for little ones. This definitely makes me want to go out and cast one on!
Thank you!
Thanks for posting so actively to your blog. It makes a great break from work and keeps me thinking about what my next project will be.
count me in! I’m still baby knitting for my *own* babies.
What a cute book!
I have a little one to knit for and also some “bigger ones” too :o)
These patterns look so sweet and the interview was very informative. I would love a copy of this book.
i’ve been reading so many good things about this book. I would love to have a copy.
What a great book – the daisy soakers are just gorgeous – I think they would look stunning made as longies too!
Id love to go into the draw for the book!
I’m trying to learn to knit so I can make some of this cute baby stuff while my baby is still little!
those are absolutely gorgeous projects! what a thoughtful and inspiring interview.
I’ve got a baby due in September so this would be perfect if I win 🙂
Great questions & answers! I’m ready to try the pixie hat for my 13 month old! The style is great 1`. for the tie which will keep it on and 2. for the cover of cheeks & chin, which as Penelope Leach tells me is so important to keep warm during the second year agony of cutting more painful teeth.
Thanks for the post. I am in LOVE with this book. I can’t wait to get a copy. Another tip on wool soaker, the reason why they don’t need to be washed as often when lanolized, is because the lanolin and the urine react, and self-clean (it combines and makes a basic soap).
I love the style and photography in this book, it looks so well thought out and beautiful! GREAT JOB!
Love all of these project and can’t wait to start one (for someone’s baby…bound to be another one someday….)
A great interview. I like the approach you took. I have a friend who would love those soakers, and let’s face it, I love knitting for babies! Thank you for the giveaway!
What a cute book!
I am a fairly new knitter but would love to try the cute hat! Thanks!
Awesome! I have been eyeing this book since it came out and debating whether or not to buy it, but I’ll take my chances with this contest first!
I am in love with that hat!! It would look precious on my sweet baby girl, Rita~
I have been eying this book, wanting to pass it on to my mom (grandma) to take a look at!
What a great book to add to my craft library! Thanks for the interview.
I really liked the interview, I’d read a bit here and there about the book, but was so glad to find out more information.
While I’m no longer having any babies, I think it’d definitely be a book that would come in use, especially with 2 younger sisters and only one niece so far!
What a fabulous blanket!!
Great review, and such a cute hat! Thanks for the contest.
Fun little book! We have a new one due in September so it’s perfect timing.
What a great book and interview. Thank you for sharing :).
I had glimpsed through this book not long ago at the bookstore, and I put off buying it, but maybe I need to reconsider. Now I just need to find some chubby bubbies who need some knits.
What a great book! As a (very) beginning knitter, this would be a great resource for me…not to mention all the pregnant young women I know. We’re having a baby explosion at church! Thanks for the opportunity to win.
Wow, I really learned a ton in the few minutes it took to read this. I’ve always wondered what concerns there were to be had about knitting for babies! Thanks for that!
that hat is the cutest thing ever.
That hat is just beautiful, I would love a chance to win the book!
This book is so amazingly sweet. There is just something about baby clothes that makes me want to pick up the needles time and time again.
This looks like a great book…I’d especially like to try the soaker pattern for my baby coming in October!
That honeycomb blanket is to die for..love it!
Yeah! This was a super helpful review. I have been wondering about this book and can now happily add it to my wishlist.
As a cloth diapering mama I’m happy to see wool soakers that are so darn cute.
Thanks for sharing
xo
I’ve put knitting on the back burner for awhile, but that hat is too cute! I have a friend due in a month and that would be a perfect gift!
Love all those projects in the book! Add my name to the drawing please! 🙂
oh put my name in the hat for sure!
I just found out my daughter is expecting…hooray.
Perfect timing on the giveaway:) Thank you.
Loved the interview and hope you continue sharing your thoughts with us.
I really enjoyed your interview with Kristen. This book reminds me so much of my grandmother! She is 96 and she has knitted her whole life. These patterns remind me of her. I know she made the grandbabies pixie hats with sweet little sweaters.
Thanks for the sweet memories!
There are so many babies coming out, it seems. This book would be perfect!
That hat is just darling! Actually, all of those projects are making me want to learn to knit! They are adorable!
i have to try for a copy of this book- it looks fantastic.
excellent interview, erin!
pick me – pick me 🙂 Love the book – very inspirational simple knits and I want to try everyone!
I need to get holiday crafting-this book would be perfect since we have lots of new babies in the family!
Oh, I’d love to get my hands on this book! The hat looks adorable!
Your vintage pixie hat is just beautiful…I’d love to make one. I just love your blog site…and completely agree with you on the month of June/July…for some reason it makes me want to pick up my knitting needles again too! I’m currently knitting scarves for my 2 kids and soon-to-arrive #3! Take care!
Would love this..am looking for some new baby blanket patterns!
Halfway through reading this post I decided that I need to have this book! Then saw that I may be able to win it! How great I hope I win!
Thanks! Jennifer
what a beautiful book! Love the pixie hat.
These are all wonderful! Great interview, and thanks for the recommendation!
I might be too late, but I’m holding my baby while typing this and would love to dress her in some new knits. Thanks!
Thanks for the great giveaway! I LOVE this book!
I love this book! Soakers and baby socks are the first two things I would make if I won the book.
Great interview, too!
wow…this books is so perfect for all the babies that i need to knit for! the projects look so timeless.
I love the afghan! What a beautiful book.
This book looks charming. I really enjoyed your interview with Kristen as well! Very informative!
The hat is adorable as are the other projects in this book. I would love to have a copy.
What a neat book – I perused it at the local bookstore earlier this spring. Great interview!
I love this book! The pictures are gorgeous!
This book looks great! I have two little ones and would love to try out some of those projects! (In my spare time – Ha ha!)
That blanket, those socks, oh my! Everything is adorable.
Erin,
I do so enjoy reading your blog. Grandchildren will be arriving soon in our family, and I am REALLY looking forward to knitting for little ones. This book would be a great source of inspiration!
Beautiful book!
Such lovely things. I’m a beginning knitter and would love to have this.
Cool pixie hat and wool soaker! Those are two I’d like to make the most!!
What a great book. I love baby knits, and the pics are so adorable (that you have shown). I also enjoyed the interview, good ideas!
I think the history portion of this book sounds fascinating–I’d love to read it! It seems that now that I’m not knitting so much for babies any more that so many lovely books are being published. Thanks for sharing this one with us.
This looks like such a great book. And I’m heavy into baby knitting since I’m expecting in December!
With so many babies on the way in my circle of friends and family, I would sure be able to use this!
Ok, this book almost makes me want to have another baby to give Grandma someone to knit for again (I’m 10 years out of practise!), but maybe I’ll just go for an advance on some great-grandchildren soaker pants, cuz by the time they come along paper/plastic diapers will be illegal, right? At any rate, if I am the lucky winner, this precious book is going straight to my mom, the world’s most bestest knitter.
what a great interview…
looks like a totally adorable book!
My grandmother has come to spend the week with my family and me, getting to know her great-grandsons. It has been fun to knit side-by-side with her and hear about projects and patterns she knit in her youth. I would love for her to see this book!
Wonderful interview! I would love to get the book too. I am quite interested in that honeycomb blanket. I can imagine in some great modern baby colors. I am a new knitter and have not bought any books yet, alot of borrowing but none in my library permanently. I would love to start with this one. Thank you for the giveaway.
I would love to win the book. Thanks for having a give away.
I just discovered your blog and am feeling so inspired by all that you create. Thank you for sharing.
Great interview. I’ll keep my fingers crossed for the book.
i started knitting after my own babies were born, but i’m starting to knit for friends’ babies. the interview q & a really gave me some new ideas about knitting for babies. love the book! thanks for sharing!
I am so ridiculously far behind in my baby-gift-knitting that my friends’ kids may be 20 before I actually get around to some of the things I wanted to make for them.. but I feel like this book might give me the push I need to start (and complete!) some beautiful baby projects! Thanks so much for sharing this with us!
Oooh! Thanks for a chance to win that amazing book. I have been eyeing it ever since it came out. Every time I look at it, I discover and fall in love with a new pattern.
Yes, please enter me. I have twin nieces due in a month that could use some knitted lovelies. (well, some more knitted lovelies.)
Wonderful interview!! I would love a copy of this book!
Have a look over at my blog ( a recently returned lapsed blogger! ) and you’ll see the baby boy with the perfect chubby face for that hat. Plus it’s winter here (Melbourne, Australia) so we need some inspiration to get us through the dark cold days!
It would be fun to knit some baby stuff.
I love her designs.
love the baby in the hat! count me in please and thank you so much
Well now, how could I resist?
Lovely. I really like that pixie hat.
REally been enjoying the resurgence of interest in, and information about using vintage patterns. There’s treasure out there waiting for us.
This book looks great. I love the little shorts. Thanks for the give away!