I have to admit that I'm sad to see it go, this project that I intended to never knit in the first place. Afterall, 2010 is to be the year I'm knitting only for myself. But as I explained last month, and as you all heartily agreed with, this is a project that I would have regret not knitting, and really I was knitting it for myself- I'm the one who experienced the fun and joy of this project and I'm the one who was made happy by knitting each little stitch with love and good thoughts for the special unborn baby.
This project is now complete and is in the hands for the soon-to-be-mama. This was a really fun project to knit, and if you haven't knit the Modern Log Cabin Baby Blanket from the book Mason-Dixon Knitting, well then I highly recommend it. The endless garter stitch was meditative and easy, and the only part that could have been figity, sewing up the border of the blanket shown below, was so brief that it was inconsequential. This is really the only pattern I've knit from that book so far, but I do anticipate knitting others when I have more time.
I used Dream in Color's Classy worsted weight yarn in colors 140, 280, 410 and 420. I've knit this blanket before using Cascade 220 superwash, but I prefer this. It's hand dyed and vareigated so the blanket is more dynamic, but the colors don't pool or stripe because of the way Veronica veil dyes her skeins. Yes, Dream in Color is more pricey than Cascade, but the wool is considerably higher quality, the colors are hand dyed, and to me, that makes this an heirloom piece.
Usually, I wash and block projects that are gifts, but in this case I did not. I figured that because it's for a newborn, I didn't want to wash it in anything that might irritate the baby's skin or had any kind of fragrance. Detergents can take several washes and rinse cycles to go away and babies (and new mamas) can be particular about how they want things done. And I no longer have any Dreft or baby-safe detergent. So I left this to the mama to wash for the first time, letting her know that machine washing is all good, but to make this last (and pass down to other babies), not machine drying would be best.
When you gift a piece, do you usually wash it and present it in a certain way? Do you launder baby garments before gifting them? And if so, do you specially buy Dreft or another supposed baby-safe detergent before washing?
My sister in law had her first baby- a girl - in May. I knit a few items but didn't pre wash before giving. Baby items are SO tiny and I knew she would be washing things herself. With the knit gifts - I did include a lingirie bag that was large enough to hold several baby sweaters, socks, etc or whatever else she wants to wash in it. So easy to lose baby things - even when washing them by themselves. And you never seem to have enough baby laundry to do an entire load. I also included in my gift a bottle of Dreft as it is way more expensive than "regular" laundry detergent - don't know why.
The blanket is BEAUTIFUL!! Will have to get that book and try the pattern - if only for a lap size one for myself :-)
Posted by: Diane | July 12, 2010 at 08:42 AM
Oh! I did not think about the laundry detergent thing. I have knit baby gifts in the past but can't recall if I washed them before gifting them - maybe not since most of them were cotton bibs and burp cloths (from M-D). Now I am knitting for my first grandchild, so I will be sure to either not wash or to wash in Dreft. Thanks for the heads up! Your blanket looks great!
Posted by: Abby | July 12, 2010 at 10:11 AM
I just finished a baby blanket and I washed it in Soak and then blocked it. I never get it a second thought. Now I'm hoping that it's not a problem!
Posted by: Carole | July 12, 2010 at 10:39 AM
I usually don't wash the baby items. Like you, I figure the new mom will want to wash it her way with her chosen soap.
Your blanket is beautiful!
Posted by: SusanB-knits | July 12, 2010 at 11:02 AM
Very nice! I wish I had time to make one. :)
Posted by: Bev | July 12, 2010 at 12:00 PM
I wash if only to get off any residue from my dogs that 'might' have gotten on the item. I use just a few drops of unscented Dr. Bronner's castile soap and haven't had any problems.
I never use soap with a scent (it bothers ME!) and the castile soap is what I wash my socks in.
Posted by: Kay | July 12, 2010 at 05:35 PM
I always wash anything I give as a gift, whether to someone I know or for the various organizations I knit for. I haul my knitting all over the place, and who knows if it's as clean as it should be? Washing also reveals any ends that aren't quite finished, or other trouble spots. I use a detergent with no dyes or perfumes (which is what we use here at home anyway).
Posted by: Elizabeth D | July 13, 2010 at 10:47 AM
I always wash the baby items I gift. I use Dreft and include care instructions. Love the colors you used for your Modern Baby Blanket.
Posted by: Patricia Richardson | July 13, 2010 at 04:27 PM
I washed the last baby gift I knit, but only because it goes to work with me and being a hairstylist it gets lots of hair in there. Idid let the mom know I washed it but that she may want to use her own soap since it has been a few years since my last was a baby.
Posted by: melissa | July 14, 2010 at 10:06 PM
I may be the only one, but I cannot stand the smell of Dreft. It's gross.
Posted by: cate | July 16, 2010 at 11:34 AM
The blanket is lovely. The colors are great!
I'm getting ready to start that pattern in primary colors for a baby gift. The mother already has other things in those colors. I have not knit this pattern before and hope I don't have trouble with the border.
Posted by: CB | August 03, 2010 at 04:17 PM