Monday, January 25, 2010

Baby Knitting Fever and a Giveaway

 I have baby fever. Well, not exactly the baby fever you're probably thinking about. I have, more specifically, baby knitting fever. This just means that I see a ton of baby items I would love to knit or crochet but alas, I have no one with babies to make them for. Adam and I don't have any children yet and I'd rather not knit a bunch of baby stuff just to have it hang around my house for an extended period of time. My younger brother better not have any babies soon and my sister-in-law doesn't have any children yet (just one cute pup). So in the meantime, I queue baby items on Ravelry, I buy baby colored sport weight yarn, I think about what I would make, and so on.
  Today a miracle has occurred. A longtime friend of Adam's called him to tell him the good news. You guessed it: him and his girlfriend are expecting! Well of course I'm excited. And yes, I'll admit it may have a wee more to do with the fact that now I get to plan and make some baby items. Here are some of the projects I am considering to make:

The Snuggle Sack: This may be a bit impractical since the baby is due in August and they live in the south...









and finally,



I've also purchased a bit over 500 yards of superwash sport weight Merino for something babyish.  I know, I know. I'm a little out of control.

So anyway, this is where you (and the giveaway) come along. To enter this giveaway you must leave me a comment with what you think I should make (I would also love, love, love it if you would follow my blog). It could be a vote on one of these four projects I've posted, an idea for an alternate pattern to use, an idea for that sport weight yarn, or a completely alternate suggestion. On February 1st (that's next Monday folks) at 5pm, I will use the Random Number Generator to choose a winner from the comments which were left.


The winner chosen by RNG will receive 1 skein of Politically Incorrect Yarns and Fibers MCN fingering weight yarn in the colorway A Woman Needs a Man Like a Fish Needs a Bicycle. This yarn is a superwash merino/cashmere/nylon blend (80/10/10) and 435 yards.

85 comments:

  1. What a great idea! I love the 2nd and 3rd blankets, but I know that whatever you end up making will be fabulous.

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  2. That Hoodie Baby Blanket is adorable, and I think it would be useful even in the South. Maybe if you knit it in a cotton yarn they can use it for drying the baby off after a bath. Also, I love doing things for babies in yellow or green so that you can knit ahead of knowing what gender it is and still have it be "acceptable" (of course, I think all babies should wear blue and green and yellow and NO pink, but that's me!).

    (InJuneau on Ravelry)

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  3. ok, i LOVE the name of the yarn. That is great.
    If the gift were for my, my first choice would be The Snuggle Sack.

    I also prefer gender neutral colors so that it can be used over and over again and then passed down to the next generation. Some people may not want to but a boy in a pink Snuggle Sack.

    Enjoy the project
    chrystalmo@charter.net

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  4. Baby knitting is addicting! I love the second blanket the most, but I also find a knitted toy can be very fun (and different). Plus it's less time consuming than a blanket. I made an elephant (http://susanbanderson.blogspot.com/2007/04/page-18-elefante.html) for a Florida baby and she loved it.
    Lizbert on Ravelry

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  5. I also think a simple blanket is the way to go. I've made them for parents and they always get a lot of use. Cotton is best for easy washing. :)

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  6. I think the hoodie baby blanket is a winner! I made something similar for a friend's new baby ("baby burrito" was the pattern on Ravelry :) ) and they thought it was great--perfect for wrapping baby up tightly (but not too tight) so she felt safe and snug. Have fun with whatever you choose! :)

    (jenniem on Ravelry)

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  7. I am all over that triangle blanket. The holes are small so unlikely to get fingers caught and it is cute!

    MamaMay on Ravelry

    And I am following...

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  8. I love the blankets (I think I prefer the 2nd one)... but I will say that I made a bunch of bibs for a friend when she had her baby and she said they really came in handy (maybe you can make those for the 1st birthday though).

    amtours on Ravelry

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  9. I wish I could enlist your baby knitting help! I have 10 friends/family members having babies. Just when I think I have my knitting planned out, another one makes a baby announcement. I guess I'm at that age...I just hope it's not catching!

    OK...I love the Just Enough Blanket. I also strongly recommend the Quickie Baby Sweater if you know they're having a girl. It knits up quick and is so cute! Here's the ravelry link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/quickie-baby-sweater

    Now I'm going to go cross my fingers for that yarn. Oh how it would help the baby knitting ahead of me. =)

    (carrieg777 on Rav)

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  11. Here's my vote for the hoodie baby blanket!

    mysticmoon on rav

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  12. I like the snuggle sack, it gets cold in a/c'd cars/stores & such. It would be used I think. Or, the blanket shown in the tree is nice.

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  13. Congratulations to the parents and to you for your chance to baby knit. I live in Texas and can vouch that Aug & Sep are way too hot for a snuggle sack except for photo ops in air conditioning. My friend with twins just loved the hooded towels she got so knit the hooded blanket in cotton & the baby can be wrapped up after bath.

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  14. Love the name of that colourway! Ha.

    I love the hooded blanket idea. If you make it with cotton, it can also double as a tub-wrap. That's what my sister used hers for when she had her son.

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  15. I'd go for the triangle edge blanket! It looks like a great pattern and ought to stand the test of time. These blankets are heirlooms!

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  16. ooOOoo A giveaway! I myself just finished the short row pinwheel baby blanket, but I'm only "meh" about it.
    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/short-rows-round-pinwheel-baby-blanket

    I've always liked OpArt from knitty:
    http://www.knitty.com/ISSUEfall08/PATTopart.html

    And I really like the hooded blankie you've posted. Whatever you make will be lovely and well appreciated, I'm sure!

    beautyredefined on ravelry, btw - came here from your post in KYS.

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  17. I second the thought that a blanket is an heirloom. So I would vote for the hoodie baby blanket. i personally love the baby surprise jacket by elizabeth zimmerman and it would be perfect in sport weight. You can really jazz it up. There is a group on ravelry just for tips to perfecting the jacket. It is called baby surprise jacket group! this is lilmommacass from kys

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  18. While I think the blankets you've chosen are nice, I'm more a fan of pinwheel blankets as I think circle blankets drape better over a baby and tuck in better. My all time favourite baby pattern is Presto Chango by Valerie wallis. Its available on Rav. for free. I've made many of these , each time giving two different center panels.
    Happy Knitting!

    QueenMaeb on Rav.

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  19. I think the Just Enough Blanket is adorable, so it gets my vote! I had to add it to my queue, as I hadn't seen it before. :)

    (skeinofyarn on Ravelry)

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  20. I LOVE the triangle edge blanket! Knit it!!!!

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  21. ALL baby projects are appealing,so it's hard to pick one. But my favorite knit for a baby is Elizabeth Zimmermann's Baby Surprise Jacket. The variations in yarn weight, needle size, and yarn colors are endless, and it is just so darn much fun to knit!

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  22. Love the hoodie blankie. I might have to make one myself because it is too cute!

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  23. Hi Andrea,
    I think you should use the Snug As a Bug in a Rug Sleep Sack found here: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/snug-as-a-bug-sleep-sack.
    I used sleep sacks with all of my babies. For new first time parents, swaddling can be tricky. A sleep sack takes all of the guess work out of it.
    Just snuggle baby inside and roll it up around them. Settle them and voila! They are ready to rest peacefully without disturbing themselves with baby jerky startle reflexes. Also it can be a lovey later because anything you make to fit a newborn is tiny, just pop in a pouch of stuffing and some lavender and sew the end closed and toddler has a cuddly sleepy time pillow to cuddle.
    If you want to go with something more decorative you could work a chart of either farisle or knit/purl onto the front side or around it, but I pesonally prefer simplicity.
    I would make it in superwash wool if you can vs. acrylic. Wool is naturally water repellent (think diaper leaks and sweat), holds 30% of it's weight in moisture before feeling wet, has anti bacterial and anti microbial properties when lanolized, and is a great insulator against heat and cold. It can help baby to regulate it's temperature, which saves more energy for growing! It will be a nicer piece for longer, and feel better against baby's skin than acrylic.
    I think it's so sweet that you are doing this for your friends, the best of luck and I can't wait to see on kys what you come up with!

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  24. I like the Just Enough blanket. Stripes would be simple, but not too boring. I also like these adorable booties. And another bootie pattern. A blanket with matching booties would probably be cute enough to kill people.

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  25. I think the hooded blanket is the cutest but the just enough one - you could add to that as the child grows, if desired.

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  26. I think the hoodie blanket would be the most practical. But hand knitted bibs from peaches n cream are invaluable! I hope my number comes up!

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  27. I am so so politically incorrect so definitely I NEED this yarn!

    I'd make the hoodie baby blanket. So very cute

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  28. Another vote for the hoodie blanket. Who would not love to get that?

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  29. Pick me, pick me, pick me!

    I love the hoodie baby blanket.

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  30. My suggestion is to make the hooded blanket in a very soft cotton. That way they can use it after bathing or as a blanket. I knit one like that for my daughter as a baby and used it all the time.

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  31. I like the hooded blanket! I think cotton would be best. Can be used as a blanket or hooded towel.

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  32. The blankets are beautiful! I have a friend who is expecting her first baby in August and I'd like to do a cute baby sweater. I'm thinking Baby Surprise Jacket, or the Owl Baby Vest. (http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/owl-baby-vest)

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  33. I'm a grandma who used to live in FL. A wool baby sack, while adorable, will never get used, especially for a summer baby. But a cotton one would. It can be cool in the evenings, and after a bath everyone needs to be dry and snuggly. So I think I would vote for a cotton baby sack.

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  34. Please put in my vote for a cotton hooded blanket. Too cute for words!

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  35. I agree with others about the baby surprise jacket. I have made the hooded blanket. I liked it, it was mindless. Go for it.

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  36. the hooded blanket
    i made the hoodie blanket in an organic cotton in a really pretty biege for my new grandbaby- gosh, almost 2 years ago....now she puts the hoodie part on her head and runs around in it....the gift that keeps on giving....

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  37. I vote for the hooded baby blanket knit in cotton. I'm sure that would be very useful in any climate.

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  38. I have to vote for the triangle edge blanket! I think it would be a fantastic gift -- and would become a great family heirloom.

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  39. I have to vote for the hoodie blanket. It's adorable and practical. When I give baby gifts, the tiny hats and booties get the most appreciation at the shower--let's face it, they're just precious. But, from a mother's perspective, the hats are outgrown almost immediately and the booties never stay on little feet. Handknit blankets, especially small ones for the travel system, washcloths, hooded towels, and cotton bibs always get the most use.

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  40. totally the hoodie blanket!! i've seen them done in cotton as towels also......

    i've got three sets of friends with babies due this spring-ish, i'm doing a very simple diagonal knit blanket based of of the grandmother's dishcloths pattern....striped......

    good luck, and have fun with the baby knitting!!!

    -oonaghfibersmyth on ravelry

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  41. the hoodie blanket and or a baby surprise jacket :)

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  42. I think the Hoodie baby blanket is freakin adorable!

    It would be really nice for keeping the little one warm while getting them in and out of the car!

    Also if you made one out of cotton instead it would be good for the bath
    (jaguarrior on Rav)

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  43. i really love the hoodie blanket.
    I think it would get a lot of use.

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  44. Love the Hoodie Baby Blanket, so much so that I think I'll knit it for my soon-to-be-born niece. This is one that seems destined to get lots of use for cuddling the infant. Thanks for the idea!

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  45. I think the blankets are adorable! Baby knitting is the best!!!

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  46. The Hoodie Baby Blanket is my favorite, it is absolutely adorable!

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  47. I vote for the Triangle blankie in a soft, silky yarn (maybe with bamboo in it?) or maybe the popular hooded blankie in cotton.

    Or, just to be different, I'm thowing this out there: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/babys-hood-1844 - the elaborate baby bonnet that Franklin Habit (of Panopticon/"1000 Knitters" fame) updated from an 1844 pattern. Please disregard the green baby in the bad photos - she was having a bad day and so was the photographer.

    Rubenesque from Ravelry

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  48. I love the prize.

    My suggestion is the baby sack in cotton. Practical and oh so cute.

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  49. The hoodie blanket or something similar would be my vote -- if you make it from a cotton yarn it can also double as a towel for the little one. Either way, they are dead useful for snuggling babies up in, and stay on better than regular blankets when swaddling.

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  50. I think the hoodie baby blanket would make a great present! Another idea you might like it making several washcloths and including bottles of baby wash, baby shampoo,etc. Not as stashbuster as a blanket but still nice.

    sadiekate2001 at yahoo.com

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  51. I understand the baby knitting fever! I have it too, and don't know anyone having a baby.
    I love the Just Enough blanket, so that has my vote!
    :)

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  52. I love the hoodie blanket. I'd do it in cotton for all the reasons people mentioned.

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  53. #4 the baby hoodie blanket. that's the perfect one. Sparky136 on Ralvery

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  54. I love the hoodie blanket - and I think it is useful whereever you live. Mainly because it will protect from wind and rain too -

    Like your blog and I am going to go right now and become a follower...

    The giveaway yarn is awesome - maybe I'll win..

    nhsarab on Ravelry
    nhsarab at yahoo dot com

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  55. I TOTALLY LOVE the snuggle sack and would kill for the pattern :-)

    Lynette
    shranch2009@gmail.com

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  56. beedragon (on Ravelry)January 26, 2010 at 7:09 PM

    I love the colourway name of the yarn!

    If you're looking to knit something that might become an heirloom, I love Jared Flood's Hemlock Ring blanket.

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  57. My vote is probably for the "Just Enough Blanket" because as much as the Snuggle Sack is absolutely adorable, not all babies love being swaddled. I've no little ones of my own yet either, but fortunately enough friends that I can enjoy making things for them!

    Seeing as you crochet, I'll suggest a couple of amiguri toys too - they're so baby friendly and a BIG hit with every mother I've given them to! :)

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  58. you can't go wrong with a baby surprise jacket. i love adding a hood or hat to it. and of course, the booties or socks.

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  59. That hoodie blanket is the cutest thing ever! My vote goes for that one!

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  60. My vote is probably for the "Just Enough Blanket" because as much as the Snuggle Sack is absolutely adorable, not all babies love being swaddled. I've no little ones of my own yet either, but fortunately enough friends that I can enjoy making things for them!

    Seeing as you crochet, I'll suggest a couple of amiguri toys too - they're so baby friendly and a BIG hit with every mother I've given them to! :)

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  61. I like the hoodie baby blanket the best!

    I think this Presto Chango pattern is also really cute, if you wanted to make a garment.

    thanks for doing this giveaway!

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  62. A blanket to go in the car over the car seat is always a good idea.

    If you want to do a sweater out of the worsted, I think Boheme is perfect for a girl. L'illo is a great pattern for a boy. You could also do L'illo for a girl or unisex if in the right colors and with the right buttons!

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  63. I've been on a bit of a baby item making spree myself - and had a baby boy in Nov, and now am just trying to finish things here and there when I get a bit of time!
    Out of the 4 projects I think I'd go for the hooded baby blanket - when you do need one (and it does get cold in the south - and the air conditioning can be quite chilly!) It's nice to have something to go over the baby's head.
    As for some other suggestions, here are some of my fav's:
    1. (sport weight) this sweater is just so neat - and could be used with some great color combos!
    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/angle-lille-vinkel
    2. (fingering weight) for the self striping or to use up multiple yarns (and also super cute!):
    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/keep-baby-warm-leggings
    3. I don't have a favorite pattern for these, but I am always needing mittens for my little one, his hand are always so cold! so a few pairs, some to wear out, some ot have on in the house when his hands are cold, and a couple just to keep him from scratching his face with his nails!
    Can't wait to see what you decide on :)
    ps. baby socks are great too! And I just love the yarn - great colors!

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  64. I think you should make the Hoodie Baby Blanket. It is adorable and seems practical..a cuddly blanket with a hood for snuggling time. And since the family lives in the South, you could make it in a cotton-or-wool blend, so it would be breathable.

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  65. Wow! You're projects are so lovely -- whatever you choose to make for the new baby will be a special gift. Having knit the 32 triangle edge blanket, I would knit it again, but in a very soft and fine washable cotton blend. I very much like the hoodie baby blanket (it's on my list of things to knit). I also love the color of the yarn you are giving away. Its name is a direct quote from feminist comedian Flo Kennedy.

    knitella on ravelry

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  66. I think you should make a baby blanket, and I personally like the "Just Enough Blanket" - I like the colours broken up, and it's big enough to be useful for quite a long time! Oh, and for colours, I say bright colours are the go - no pastels (but that's just me!).

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  67. I love triangle blanket, and I also love booties, one of my favorites is Saartje's http://www.saartjeknits.nl/

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  68. I like the 32 triangle edge blanket. Any of the 4 patterns would make a lovely baby gift.

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  69. Any onesie--shibui has one and it's so cute.

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  70. The Snuggle Sack is really cute and a really fun pattern to try is Elizabeth Zimmerman's Baby Surprise Jacket. Good Luck!
    Nvfilly on Ravelry

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  71. I pick the Just Enough Blanket. I love the colors and if I could crochet I would definitely make that.

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  72. i like the snuggle sack. well, i love lots of fairisle no matter what :)
    knitmit on ravelry

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  73. Love the snuggle sack and the baby hoodie (thanks for the links to the free patterns on rav, it's always good to have more easy and quick baby gift patterns).

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  74. I think you should definitely go with the hoodie baby blanket!

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  75. I love the hoodie baby blanket! I'd probably do it in a really bright teal or turquoise and do a contrasting edging in some shade of purple - I like bright colors on babies. Just remember, a baby can never have too many blankets!

    (Marlitharn on Ravelry)

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  76. I say the Hoodie Baby blanket is a good choice! keeping the baby's head toasty while being wrapped in it! two-in-one!

    - knottygal on Ravelry!

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  77. I think the Hoodie Baby Blanket would be very useful.
    cksknitter
    knittoday(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  78. I really want to knit the bsj one day. My favorite baby item I've knitted in a while is the mitred square sock yarn blanket, but in worsted (Caron's SS, actually). I made it for my nephew and used green, blue, cream, tan and brown. I've yet to receive a photo of the little stinker in it, but it was super cute.
    Anyway, out of the four you've posted, I LOVE the hoodie blanket. It's great for swaddling, and if you don't want to use the hood for whatever reason, you can just fold that corner under instead. Also, it is a great idea for a bathtime towel, if done in the right cotton yarn.

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  79. I think that the Just Enough Blanket is nice because it can't be outgrown and could remain a nice blankie or heirloom.
    monkalicious on Ravelry

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  80. I'd go with either the Just Enough blanket or the Hoodie blanket. Being in the south means they don't really need anything super warm but then again, look at how the weather is changing.

    Also, maybe a onesie in a nice cotton blend would be good as well for the following summer.

    I remember when my 2 were born, my eldest outgrew the newborn clothing so quickly, some pieces she only got to wear once. And, my 2nd child was so tiny, the newborn clothing fit him when he was 6 months old. Hence my suggestions of the blankets. Those always fit :)

    MariAngel (ravelry id)

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  81. The hoodie baby blanket is gorgeous. It's my favorite.
    CheaPet Rav ID

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  82. The hooded baby blanket is really cute, and I think it would look awesome if it were in mint green with a soft yellow border.

    bookwormdjibouti on Rav

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  83. i'm knitting baby booties right now! they're the fleegle saartje booties, and i LOVE them:

    http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/fleegles-seamless-saartje-booties

    those are a small project of course, but so cute!

    juliaa on rav

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  84. I think you should make the Hoddie Blanket. I got something like it when my son was born. We used it for years!

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I'd love to hear from you!