I love crocheting blankets, so I keep a stash of handmade baby blankets in my closet for last minute gifts. Once in a while, though, a dear friend or family member will be welcoming a newborn, and I decide to make up something special.
Here are 3 tips for crocheting customized gifts to thrill your favorite parents-to-be.
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Carefully choose colors
An easy way to customize a crocheted baby gift is by choosing yarn colors to match – or contrast – with nursery colors. Look through the online baby registry for decorating clues, or follow the parents on social media (especially Facebook or Instagram) to find pictures of a painted room. (And, of course, if your gift isn’t a surprise, you can just ask!)
If you don’t have nursery decor information, think about the parents and their personalities. If they’re more traditional, classic “baby yarn” colors (whites, yellows, pastel pinks, and baby blues) may be best. Many modern parents prefer less traditional color combinations. Some contemporary gender-neutral color combinations, like teal with white, navy, or brown, or pale green with chocolate brown, gold, or white, would be great for such a family.
Add letters or names
If the parents have already named the baby, you may want to add a crocheted, embroidered, or “monogram” name to your project.
Another option is to use graph paper to chart out the letters of a baby’s name. You can use this chart to make a corner-to-corner graphan (Repeat Crafter Me has a great tutorial for doing this in her Corner-to-Corner Baby Sheep Graphghan) or a granny square blanket. Choose a one-color granny square pattern, like the Basic Block from my free Mod 9-Patch Blanket pattern, and “spell” out the name with squares in a contrasting color yarn.
Make a layette set
A layette set including a blanket as well as a jacket, cap or bonnet, booties, diaper cover, or a hooded towel makes a truly special gift. I love to include a set of baby washcloths in organic cotton yarn, like Galler Yarns Inca Eco or Lion Brand Nature’s Choice Organic Cotton, because they are so gentle on baby’s skin.
Get these free crochet patterns here:
- These hexagon scrubbies are sized to mix and match: Circle Hexagon, Popcorn Hexagon, and Post Stitch Hexagon.
- The stitch pattern for the Scrub-a-dub-dub Washcloth would also make a great blanket.
Choose your favorite baby patterns to mix and match into your own special layette set set. If you keep the color scheme consistent, it will look coordinated, even if you choose patterns from different sources.