Monday, May 19, 2008

Baby Knitting: Thinking outside the box

One of the MANY things I like about designing hand-knits is that I can think outside the box, go beyond the traditional, and create new traditions.

Here's a great example: a few years ago a friend came to me and asked me to design something for a couple who were having their first baby. I showed her something things I'd made in the past ... a baby blanket with a lamb on it, the christening set, etc. But nothing seemed to be just right.
Then ... my then-6 yod came running in with a stuffed cow I'd knit for her a few years earlier.

Well Jessie just fell in love with Sassie Cassie the cow and wondered if I could do a "cow theme" as the young couple and their new baby would be moving back to the family farm ... a dairy farm!

Here's what I came up with:
A cozy, cow binky (note the white "picket" fence surrounding the field) and a stuffed cow The blanket (which actually was very straight, but the camera angle makes it look a bit catywampus!) has a calico fabric sewn to the back so that the baby didn't get tangled in the intarsia cow.
This was a pretty untraditional baby gift .. but Jessie and the new mom LOVED the set.

2 comments:

Bridget said...

I just love this blanket! My parents are dairy farmers here in CT and I would love to get my hands on this pattern. Have you published it? If so, where? I know so many people for whom this would make the perfect baby gift. Beautiful, just beautiful.

Mary G said...

Bridget,

I don't have this pattern "purchasable" at this time, but give me a month or so and I'll be able to post a link to purchase it.

I'm so glad you liked it! It's done with Lion Brand's Cotton Plus so is soft and cozy but wears well.