Baby Showers

Babies seem to be cyclical in my life.  What handcrafted items do you like to give?  What fibers do you use?   What weight of yarn do you use?  With so many people utilizing gift registry,  it's sometimes difficult to figure out what to give that will meet all the expectations of both the expectant mother and the giver. 

What are the expectations?  As an experienced mother, my expectations are softness,  durability,  washability, fit, and looks good.  A new mother to be might be looking for the WOW factor before some of the other things. 

One gift that is a usually a hit is a bling blanket.   No I'm not suggesting that we add beads,  crystals, or anything like that.  Bling here means a special stitch pattern or a fabulous yarn that meets safety first and foremost, then other features.  All this unless you want it to be an heirloom,  beautiful but virtually unused to be passed on to future children or generations. 

Yarn choice :  I stress washability.  All of us who have kids, been around kids, been a kid, know that illness is a thing that happens whether caused by germs or over eating.  There's always the dirt from being dragged around because it is so loved.  I stress that wash after wash the thing must hold up and look great. No one wants a shabby looking blankie, onsie suit or anything else after a couple of washes.  The broomstick lace from Sept. 16 is a fabulous blanket stitch.

I also think that bibs make a great gift.  No matter which way you slice it, babies drool.  No one likes  a wet chest, especially in these days of no coats being worn in a car seat. However, new moms to be don't seem as enthused by these.  Perhaps I or they are missing something?  Bibs protect clothes from getting soaked and dirty.  Bibs can protect from babies learning to eat.  Those of us who have had strained veggies erupt all over know that bibs on both feedee and feeder can be great laundry savers.

Toys have the WOW factor but not necessarily the safety factor.  Besides who says that the theme mom has laid out for the new little one is what the kid will like.....  Safety is very important.  I advocate embroidered facial features as well as most other details.  Tight stitches to prevent stuffing from coming out is important.