Since it's national I Love Yarn Day I decided to talk about crochet. More specifically finally crocheting a blanket to keep or 2 for that matter :)
Over the years I have made blankets, teddy bears and other things for friends and family. I have always wanted to make some for my own children and wondered what I would make, but the thought never went further than that. I never actually thought about it more and sat down and found a pattern and colors that I wanted to use.
This past week I finally sat down, looked through my patters and scoured the internet and the only thing I found was myself completely lost.
Why is it so easy for me to make the perfect blanket for someone else, but nothing seems right for my kids? I have always been able to find the perfect pattern and colors that suited the parents of the baby. They were each unique and perfect for them and now as the babies grow they love the blankets.
Am I putting too much pressure on myself to make the perfect blanket? I don't feel like I am. Maybe I am just really that picky. I know I wouldn't be picky if someone made a blanket for my children. I know I would love it. I have found a few patterns that I like, but they just don't seem right and I have no idea why.
I never wanted to find out the sexes of our babies until I thought more about making blankets for them. Part of me thinks it might be easier to figure out what I want to make if I knew the sexes. I have no idea why because it's not like I want to make "boy" or "girl" blankets. I still don't really want to find out, but this is the only thing that is making me unsure. I want to make something for each of them that will grow with them. Something that they will like for a long time like I did with my blanket. Mine was variegated yellow and white because my parents didn't find out my sex. I loved it and kept it till I couldn't fix it anymore. Threw it out about a week before my wedding. That blanket was a comfort, a toy and so many other things over the years, including a tree skirt once. I want my kids to have the same thing. It was so special.
I feel kinda crazy thinking that they wouldn't totally love anything I make. I know they will. Something keeps holding me back. Maybe it's just because I have been dreaming about this for so long it has become a big deal for me and then with the added pressure of making 2 at the same time.
So, now I am asking for your help. Please give me some ideas. If you want give me links to some patterns, knit or crochet, please do. I obviously can't figure it out even with my Hubby's help so maybe one of you out there can spark an idea. This has become an all out quest to find our babies' blankets to keep.
It doesn't seem strange to me that you'd be struggling to find the right patterns for your babies. You've wanted this for so long. It's a big deal!
ReplyDeleteUnfortunately, I don't think I'll be much help to you in finding a pattern. I've only ever crocheted two baby blankets, both of which came out of the Stitch 'n' Bitch crochet book. But I loved one of them so much that I made an adult-sized version for myself. It's a sock monkey blanket and I think it's absolutely adorable. This isn't mine, but this is what it looks like: http://www.craftjuice.com/story.php?title=crochet-afghan-and-baby-hat-set-with-sock-monkey-motif-by-jarg0n-1
Good luck with the search!
I know how you feel. I've felt some pressure to start on Squishy's quilt, but I'm not sure what fabric, pattern, etc. to use. One thing I do know is that I've made so many for others, always dreaming about the day I could sew for my own baby, that I don't want it to be stressful. I want to enjoy it, picking out the pattern, choosing the material, making every stitch with love and wrapping it around my precious boy when I bring him home. So when you do decide to start on the blankets, it should be relaxing and fun; so don't stress yourself out over it too much :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a bit obsessed with the granny square, and at the moment I'm loving anything that is mixed with gray. I also flip through pages on Etsy when I'm looking for inspiration...I tend to find way too much to make when I do that and go out and buy new yarn when I already have way too much.
ReplyDeleteI'm currently making a cream and mustard color granny square baby blanket for a woman that use to work for my husband (she was an amazing worker) who is not finding out what they are having either.
Hey, I'm making my blog private (see my latest post for why). If you want to keep reading, email me at heyjbn {at} gmail [dot] com and I'll add you.
ReplyDeleteWas there a favorite story book character or cartoon character of your youth that you could possible pick up the colors from to make a blanket of? Something more unisex like sesame street or scooby do?
ReplyDeleteWinnie the Pooh would also be awesome. Charlotte has an awesome green Winnie blanket that was mine as a baby (in the days before you could find out gender) and I love it despite my need for all things pink and frilly.
DeleteYou might not be outright putting extra pressure on yourself but there is probably extra pressure! It's okay.. I wanted to make art for the babies' room and eventually freaked out and decided not to make anything at all, it was too much pressure. It's hard when it's for yourself / your kids! sometimes giving and making gifts is so much easier!
ReplyDeleteI don't have any suggestions, but wanted to let you know I know how you feel! I make fleece blankets for my friends when they are pregnant and I have had no trouble finding the "right" kind of fabric. I was excited to finally be able to make one for G, and suddenly nothing looked right or wasn't "good enough." I ended up making two for him!
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of a storybook character's colors. Or maybe the colors of a place you love and want to share with them. I don't know the first thing about patterns, but I do know that my kids both loved the "shell" blanket that a friend made for them. And a sock monkey blanket sounds AWESOME. :)
ReplyDeleteI'm afraid I don't knit or crochet so I don't have any patterns or color palettes to suggest, but I will say that I think you might be having such a hard time figuring out what you want because it is such a big decision and something you've looked forward to for a long time. So yeah, basically, you are putting too much pressure on yourself, but understandably so. This is a big deal and your babies are a big deal! But I still wouldn't find out the sex of your babies. ;)
ReplyDelete