I really do love making gifts for babies on their way. When Little B was a ‘bun in the oven’ I knitted a cute heart blanket to keep him warm in his buggy. In fact, when I think about it, this might have been one of my first ‘developed’ designs. I used the basis of a blanket designed by Zoe Mellor, changed the colours and swapped the cloud motif for a heart motif. He still has this blanket in his room. It is still a favourite. The yarn is soft and luxurious and the colours are not gender specific or babyish.
Don’t get me wrong, I love a heritage baby blanket, but in recent years I have begun making baby blankets which might have a longer shelf-life. When I make for my expectant friends I try to think about their colour scheme; their living room, what colour their like to wear and then match my colour choices to their spectrum.
I am thrilled that so many people have enjoyed making the zig-zag blanket I designed for Debbie Bliss. The original colour scheme (here) is useful because you don’t have to hedge your bets on whether the stork will bring a girl or a boy. I have since made two more versions of this design. One as a teachers gift and another in preparation for a new little girl who will arrive around Christmas.
The yarns I have worked with are blues and greens and I have really enjoyed working on this scheme. What I am hoping is that this blanket will translate well from buggy into a lap blanket, a snuggly comfort for sofa cuddles. A more mature colour scheme for a longer blanket life.