Move Over Pink and Blue... Today's Babies Strike a Cute Pose in a Rainbow of Colors

For a long time, every bunting, blanket, sleeper, booty, hat and infant outfit was knitted or crocheted in pastel pink, blue, lavender, yellow or mint green--not citron, chartreuse, burnt sienna or cinnabar.
(Clare Fisher Photography-right)

Today, all color bets are off.  

Glance into passing strollers, and you'll probably see babies dressed or swathed in poppy orange, tomato red, bumble bee gold, penny copper,  lemon-lime chartreuse, deep eggplant, raspberry sorbet, vibrant coquelicot, (orange family) heather grey and the list stretches on. And for the newborn baby world, selected color combinations are just as unexpected. 
   

Colors and designs are bolder than ever. Our New Millennium babies now possess fashion swag like their mommies and daddies, bless their little hearts. 
(Pinterest)

(Oops I Knit Again)

Their knitting/crocheting grandmothers, aunties, friends and our First Tuesday-Third Wednesday talented ladies--happily took these handcrafted gifts to the next exciting level.  I love the combination of lilac, white and gray in the chunky stitch design of Alice's baby blanket on the left; and the green, pink and grey against the chocolate background in Audrey's afghan below.

Joquina's preemie hat and blanket sets above are not your typical baby colors, but visually striking. 

(Dress and hat set - Ebay)

Pink and blue no longer dominate color selection when choosing baby colors.  Grey is the dominant color in this infant girl's dress. Again, it's visually striking and against the norm.  Love it!

No, we're not getting away from bright colors or pastels, just adding spice to the traditional flavors.  These days, knitters/crocheters often create baby gear in a bold, uncommon color, using pastel pink, blue, yellow or green as accents.

(OOAK - baby dress)

Here's another handspun treat for the eyes in this cute overall set for a girl or boy from Hello Yarn.  Stockinettes, cables, seed and brioche stitches make our handcrafted baby gifts all the more special.

Fortunately, the unexpected doesn't stop in baby gear.  Today's new parents design nurseries in a neutral decor that's not gender specific. They want the child to grow into the room, so that during the first ten to 14 years they won't have to do too much re-decorating.  

(Houzz)

In the past, baby nurseries centered around nursery book drawings, popular cartoon characters, alphabet borders, a painted oak or cherry blossom trees--tigers, lions and Winnie-the-Pooh bears...oh my!

(Decorating Theme Bedrooms)

(Decorating Theme Bedrooms)

Enter Neutral Nurseries

(neutral baby nursery)

So enjoy your knit-crochet journey into the baby world. Your talent will be greatly appreciated by family and friends.  I remember the first time I created a large baby blanket for one of my best friend's sister's daughter.  You would think I had just won the Oscar.  They were so impressed an appreciative.  We won't discuss how long it took me to make it, but the final product and the family's appreciation made the time spent ...worth every second.

  First Tuesday-Third Wednesday Knitting & Crocheting Club

(Knitting Group at rescue.org)

Speaking of time well spent, once again, we had two great First Tuesday and Third Wednesday knitting/crocheting sessions in April.  At the Wednesday gathering on April 16, Audrey surprised us with delicious carrot cake to enjoy with our coffee and biscotti.  Thanks for dessert, Audrey ...and for sending me photos of your projects.  Ladies, please keep the photos coming. 

Here's a Rundown of Our Wednesday Session

 

Joquina stepped out of her baby hat and blanket world and began knitting a pillow for herself.  I'm still elbow deep in my purse world, but Audrey and Karen gave me great advice and direction on creating cables.  I also found a tutorial on YouTube I could follow.  But I'm still a little intimidated by them, so I'll keep you updated on my progress.

We always enjoy lively conversations that of course surround knitting/crocheting--and peppered with our individual life's experiences.  I especially enjoyed the contributions of Kathy, Audrey, Karen, Joquina, Cherie, Mary and Maggie on Wednesday--and Alice, Audrey, Tanya, Sue, Karen, Joquina, Kathy and Lisa's contributions on the previous Tuesday.

Our Compassion Afghan

Thanks  Karen for completing your dark blue 10"x10" block for our Compassion Afghan.  Don't forget to work on your light blue or dark blue knit/crochet block in your leisure.  

Are Your Ready to Swap?

Cherie suggested that we have a yarn swap in June.  We can expand it to a craft spot to include:  fabric, buttons, straps, etc.  We'll discuss it at both sessions.

A Masking Tape Demo

Sarah we would love for you to show us how you create one of your duct tape masterpieces.  Tanya we'll set up some time in between sessions to give you some knit/crochet instruction.  Thanks Audrey for suggesting this. 

INFANT CARE ALERT...

THIS JUST IN FROM TEN THOUSAND VILLAGES!  

Now Collecting
Infant Care Kits

Great Mother's Day gift idea,
or for that friend who has everything:
Make a donation in their honor.
 
Infant care kits provide mothers with something warm and soft in which to wrap their infants. Kits are given to mothers in hospitals, clinics and refugee camps and used in orphanages. A warm blanket, soft sleeper, shirts, diapers and soap help families welcome new babies in places such as Lebanon, El Salvador and Serbia.

Cash contributions help Mennonite Central Committee (MCC) purchase items for kits and cover shipping costs.

(BBC News Health)

Infant Care Kit Contents:

(NEW items only, size 3-9 months)
•2 gowns/sleepers (flannel or similar warm, soft material)
•2 undershirts/onesies (short or long sleeves)
•4 cloth diapers (flat-fold preferred)
•1 receiving blanket
(lightweight fleece or flannel; minimum 36 in)
•4 safety pins (2 in)
•1 large bar mild soap (leave in wrapper)
•1 pair of socks
•1 cap

Thank you for limiting your generosity to the items listed. Remove packaging material (except soap) and fold into the receiving blanket. Fasten together with the safety pins.

Note: Items can either be purchased or hand sewn. Packages of precut materials are available from some MCC offices.  Drop off completed infant care kits at the Philadelphia store or other participating locations nationwide.  Contact your local MCC warehouse/activity center for a new design for hand-sewn gowns.

More at www.mcc.org/kits/relief
A joint project of
Ten Thousand Villages Philadelphia and MCC. 

(Baby Care Center) 

Until we meet again, happy knitting/crocheting!  

Comments are Welcomed!