Baby Bandana Bib

My lil' dude starting drooling before he was 3 months old. I saw these cute bandana bibs on Purl Bee a while back and didn't think too much of them until I had the exact same thought as the author: putting a regular bib on him makes him look like he's ready to eat, but not wearing a bib is no longer an option.
So it was clearly time to make him a cute bib disguised as a bandana around his neck.

I'm also enjoying these because they give him a little extra warmth around his neck which is one area that is often exposed to the cold when I wear him in any sort of carrier.

Big Winter Cowl

I've been eyeing this Purl Soho pattern for what feels like forever. Before my son was born I decided it would soon come to fruition and the opening of a new yarn shop in my neighbourhood seemed like the perfect push I needed to get started. 

I really loved the idea of using thread throughout as a way to add different spurts of colour but couldn't find thread that was affordable enough at my local shop. So I chose one big ball of multi colored sock yarn, and just altered how many strands of the sock yarn I used (or didn't use) to create a similar effect.

I love how thick and wide it is and have already been wearing it non-stop. So cozy!  

Quirky Baby Cardigan

The great thing about knitting for tiny babies is how quickly clothes can come together. This little sweater was so quick to knit up. The only thing that slowed me down was um, having to take care of the little babe who was to wear it. 

I made this little number for the upcoming cool fall days. So far the mornings are cool enough that he needs a sweater but by midday he could be in shorts. My other knit sweater I've made for him (shown on baby below) is too annoying to put on/take off repeatedly. Also I feel like this one won't be too warm for him to wear while he's in a carrier because the front is open. 

I roughly based this sweater off a pattern from Joelle Hoverson's "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" but changed the dimensions a lot and then ended up realizing it was too small and added the grey portions for more coverage. 

Color Block Baby Sweater

Another cute little hand knit for my cute little guy. 

I started this sweater the week he was born and was about half way through the blue when he decided to show up. I worked on it a bit in the hospital and then at home I slowly figured out how to juggle knitting and nursing. I was planning on it just being 4 colors but I not only ran out of yellow yarn but also misjudged how much yarn I'd need for the yoke so I had to add the white. 

This is definitely my sharpest looking hand knit (thanks merino yarn!) and I think it's making my husband envious. Time to pull out the sweater I started for him last year so I can finally finish it. 

By the way, I used this pattern for a seamless raglan in case you're interested.

Knitted Panda Bear Hand Puppet

Well this might not be the most handsome Panda Bear on the block but he's still pretty darn cute. Kind of got a gnarly goofy thing going on. Hopefully my son will be charmed by him rather than freaked out. Fingers crossed!

I used a pattern from Susan Anderson's book "Itty Bitty Toys" , a machine washable merino yarn, and then lined it with a bright turquoise cotton. 

I'm already thinking he needs a little friend. Maybe a cat, a rabbit, or a pig? So many cute possibilities! 

Striped Fingerless Gloves

I think it's about time I knit myself something, don't ya think? I've been making so many handknit goodies for this baby o' mine and the closer I get to his arrival I realize I should really starting making myself a few sweet little things for fall, because clearly I'm not going to have much time to do this in the coming months.  

I've been wanting to make fingerless gloves for quite some time now. I love the idea of a glove that is perfect for crisp fall days and I'm imagining that there'll be plenty of cool walks that will require free fingers to care for baby. My husband also made a good point that if my fingers do get cold I could probably slip then within the folds of a wrap as I wear baby around.

I used a pattern from Purl Bee (surprise! surprise!) and some merino that I originally bought for a baby blanket. I ended up altering the pattern and added some decreases to make it more of a fitted glove.

I was iffy about the length but they are actually the perfect length to meet the short sleeves of my favourite denim jacket. 

Nursery Wall Decor

My baby's room is quickly coming together and it feels so great. With four weeks (or more!) to go until he arrives, I'm quite happy to have his room generally finished. Today I browsed Pinterest for more fun nursery craft ideas as the walls are still a wee bit emptier than I'd like. I found this great polka dot print idea on Apartment Therapy and decided to bring this idea into my son's room.

I had these tiny little canvases stashed away in my craft room for whats felt like years (can't even remember why I bought them in the first place) that seemed like the perfect vehicle for the paper polka dots.

I've put these on the wall near our changing table and hopefully the playful pops of colour will captivate his attention while we get down to the dirty business of all those diaper changes.

Knitted Teddy Bear

Here it is! My son's first teddy bear! Isn't it the cutest thing ever?! I've always wanted to make knitted baby toys and am not really quite sure why it's taken me so long. I found a great book last year by Susan Anderson called "Itty Bitty Toys" that really sparked an interest in me. She has the cutest patterns for simple hand puppets that I'd really love to make. Also one of my sisters-in-law sent me a great book on knitted toys that is sure to keep me busy for quite a while.

I used a Debbie Bliss pattern for this bear (found on Ravelry but can also be found in her book "Simply Baby") that I ended up really enjoying. The first part of the pattern was written quite strangely and I had to rip it out at least 4 times before I finally figured out what I was doing wrong. But other than that it knit up quite quickly and easily. There were many reviews on Ravelry stating that seaming it together was annoying or difficult but I really thought it was fine. I didn't want to overstuff it, but there are a few places (like it's head and snout) that could be fuller. 

I can just imagine this little bear being dragged along on all my son's adventures.

Baby Pullover Sweater

Another little project for my baby-to-be from my favourite knitting source Purlbee.com.

I somehow managed to make the body too narrow (which in turn makes the sleeves look too long) which must have happened by binding off too many stitches for the sleeves. I guess that's what happens when I roughly follow a pattern and am not paying attention the number of stitches called for. Oops! 

I can roll the sleeves up, but I don't really love the look of them quite as much. I also wish my collar turned out as nice as the one on Purlbee. But I do love the slit detail on the hem and the fact that I was able to use up lots of this hand me down yarn. 

Nursing Pillow

Wanna know a secret? Sometimes I get lazy. Sometimes I give up and buy things I could make. Sometimes I just don't have the time or the drive to fulfill all my handmade dreams.
It happens to the best of us, right?

I had always wanted to make my own nursing pillow after seeing a cute handmade one in Lotta Jansdotters book "Simple Sewing for Baby". But while registering for our baby shower I had a moment of weakness and thought "Geez, I can't do everything myself. Maybe I should cut myself a break and just have a store bought pillow."
Thankfully I have a great partner in life who at just the right moments gently reminds me that I can do it myself. And sure maybe it'll be a while before I really find the time, but it will get done. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but someday.
This little life lesson is also one that I think my son is helping teach me from the womb. "It can wait" he says, as he makes me put off tasks for another day in favour of rest and relaxation. And it's true, most things can wait. The floors can be dirty for another day or two, the laundry can sit piled on the dresser moments away from it's final destination inside the drawers. Heck, even the bread dough can rise another day and not mind one bit.

When the baby shower rolled around there was no nursing pillow to be found amongst the gifts and I was secretly relieved. I added "make a nursing pillow" back onto my to-do-someday list, and just relaxed knowing that eventually the time would be found to get it done.
This morning the stars aligned (with the very cool morning breeze that blew into my sewing room) and I spent maybe 10-20 minutes making this simple but hopefully very useful pillow.

Baby Rainbow Sweater

Here's a cute little simple sweater I made a while back using some super colourful yarn. If I use this pattern again I will make a point to join in the round on the side underneath an arm instead of on the front where it's so visible. Because clearly I had trouble joining in the round so seamlessly. Oh well! It's still super cute. 

I love the cute little button up flap that makes the neck hole bigger and easier to fit over baby's head.

Baby Knit Overalls

How cute are these little overalls?? 

I used this pattern from Ravelry which I've been eyeing for a long time now. I made a few mistakes here and there but really didn't feel motivated to go back and fix them. Oh well! I don't think my little guy will care. 

Knitted Baby Onesie

I've had my eye on this adorable little onesie pattern for what seems like forever. Probably since long before I was pregnant actually, back when my baby knits were only for friends. 

I made it in approximately a 6 month-ish size hoping that it'll be winter by the time our son will fit into it. I'm now making a little hat to match in the same colour as the trim and maybe I'll make a matching pair of socks too.  Somebody's going to be cute as a button!

Toddler Cardigan

One of my favourite things about making baby clothes before a baby is born is feeling like you don't really have to pay attention to size too much. As long as it's not too tiny and the babe will get a decent amount of wear out of it, I'm happy.
Sometimes though that plan of attack can sort of backfire...like when I end making a "baby" sweater that is so big it'll fit a 2 year old. Oops.
But hey it's still adorable and someday this sweater will keep my little tyke warm and toasty.

Baby Bonnet

I'm on a bit of a knitting kick lately. And by a "bit" of a kick I really mean I'm experiencing a serious obsession. Baby knits are just so quick and satisfying! I'm especially loving patterns like this one from "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson because its knit in one seamless piece. I think this project will find its way into my "go-to knits" for friends babies, but this little gem is for mine. 

Knit Baby Socks

These are the first knit socks I've ever made and I feel pretty happy with the results (yes one of the smaller pair is bigger than the other but give me a break it was my first sock ever!). 

I used a pattern from one of my favourite knitting books "More Last Minute Knitted Gifts" by Joelle Hoverson. I love Joelle's designs which is not surprising seeing as she owns Purl Soho (aka my main source of inspiration for all things knitted).

Yaay, tiny knitted things!

Baby Bib with Snaps

This bright and cheery baby bib (made with instruction from the Purl Bee) is a sure reflection of my mood today. It may be grey and foggy outside but I'm not going to let that get me down (truthfully I actually love fog) and I just can't wait to get the day started!

I'm going to make lots of freezer friendly foods today (some empanadas, samosas and spanakopita) and some granola. Hopefully I'll finish a pair of baby socks and maybe even squeeze in some gardening time. Hope you're having a great Monday too!

Reversible Baby Pants

My first (sewn) baby garment! This pair of cute little pants were made for a friends soon to be baby boy, but I'm already working on a few pairs for my own little one and am having way too much fun with all the print/colour combo options.

I made these using a pattern from "Handmade Beginnings" by Anna Maria Horner.

Diaper Changing Quilt

I found this project in Lotta Jansdotter's book "Simple Sewing for Baby" and thought it seemed like quite a practical item to add to my growing stash of handmade baby goods. I would like to think that my husband and I will be out of the house lots and toting the little one with us wherever we go, and so a diaper changing mat seemed pretty essential. 

I took Jansdotters suggestion at using a polyester batting to cushion the mat so that  I can easily throw it the washing machine as needed.

Bias Tape Baby Bib

Another sewing project inspired by the Purl Bee, this bib was so easy to make that I have no excuse to not make more. I don't think I've ever seen a bib with that funny little "crumb catcher" on the front (not that I've paid much attention to bibs before becoming pregnant) but it seemed like a pretty swell idea. Less food on the floor? Sounds great!

I found that kitschy 70's-esque fabric at a thrift store a year or two ago and just couldn't pass it up. So far I haven't found a use for it (it's been a lot harder to fit a bright 70's print into my home decor than I thought) but I think it'll work great in many baby/kid projects. I'm really ready to embrace bright colors in my child's room and wardrobe. It just feels so fun and appropriate. We already have a bright red painted rocking chair in the baby's room so we're off to a good start!