It seems like everyone I know is about to have, or has just had a baby. Knitting baby things is very rewarding for me. You get a finished project in no time at all, and thankfully, most of the people I have knit for are super appreciative of the gift. If you’re looking for some inspiration for Spring baby knits, the Valley Yarns Spring Baby Sets eBook is a great collection.

It contains three matching sweaters and blankets that are perfect for baby. The yarns it features are Valley Yarns Longmeadow, Valley Yarns Valley Superwash DK, and Valley Yarns Valley Superwash (which happens to currently be part of our Anniversary Sale).

The Martius Baby Pullover and Martius Baby Blanket feature cables and moss stitch. I love the addition of contrasting, colorful buttons at the shoulder. It is a cute detail that can add a bit of pop and personality.

If you’re looking for an adorable short sleeve baby cardigan with a lacy touch, you’ll want to check out the Aprilis Baby Cardigan and Aprilis Baby Blanket. I love the lacy pattern, and you may recognize it as a tiny version of our popular Philomena Cardigan.

The Maia Baby Cardigan uses a fun math trick to turn two matching garter stitch hexagons into a cardigan. The trick is that they aren’t really hexagons, but 3-dimensional shapes made of six right angles. Simple stripes wrap all the way around the outer edges of each hexagon to give clues to the clever observer about how it’s made. The 3-needle bind off used to join the pieces together in the end is sturdy, but can be undone in order to be worked on again to keep the cardigan growing right along with the baby. The Maia Baby Blanket is worked from the center out, bright stripes around the outer edges.

All of these patterns are also available individually, but the eBook saves you almost half the price! Plus, having the patterns as downloads is so handy for carrying along and saving without taking up physical space.

Which pattern in the collection is your favorite?

The staff has been over the moon about Pete, our Back of the House manager, having his first baby. On April 20^th Pete and his wife Mia were blessed with Ian. We, at WEBS, were overjoyed. We threw a little party, we showered them with gifts and the whole store seemed to just explode with baby fever.

In fact, there was so much excitement you almost didn’t notice that babies were popping up all over in our lives. Dori, longtime instructor, became a first time grandmother. Erin, another instructor adopted infant Silas with her husband (we are sooo excited for her!). Theresa, in customer service also had her first grandchild. Between customers, friends, family and drop-in ladies it’s a baby bonanza.

Not to mention that tiny little sweaters and booties are such a great stash buster and a great way to experiment with a new stitch or technique. And with summer closing in our laps don’t want to be covered with big afghans or garments, so bring on the baby knits!!

I was blown away by the talents of Theresa, and her delicate heirloom quality knits in our new Valley Yarns Charlemont. She chose to use natural colors and created an entire set, including afghan, sweater, hat and booties. This picture just can’t possibly do justice for these dear little knits. The sweater and hat are from Dale of Norway 197 taking less than one skein of Charlemont!

This set I made for my first Grandchild and my aim was to produce an heirloom set.  My first and foremost qualification for any baby items is to find a fiber that feels good in my hands.  Charlemont is perfect for that criteria.  I am planning more “Baby Jack” pieces using the kettle-dyed Charlemont.  I just cannot decide which color!

To welcome baby Silas to Erin’s family Annie Foley (a fellow instructor) orchestrated a baby blanket made with Blue Sky Organic Cotton. Each person created a block with various stitch patterns including the tree from Barbara Walkers Third Stitch Collection. The blanket features a tree theme because the origin of Silas means “of the forest.”

As you might expect Pete received many hand knits from the staff and one lovely woven blanket made by our assistant store manager Leslie Ann. She wove this lovely piece from Valley Yarns Noho.

The baby blanket was woven… using blocks of Huck Lace in natural bordered by a variegated pastel. I wove the blanket in panels and seamed them together, then sewed satin blanket binding on the ends.

Dori designed and knit a darling set for her grandchild with a carrot theme! She used Mission Falls 136 Merino Superwash (which is currently on closeout) and applied Patricia Wagner’s overalls pattern from Chic Knits for Stylish Babies as inspiration. What ingenuity!

I’m so impressed with everyone’s supreme creativity. I don’t know about you but I’m ready to cast on!

Happy Summer Knitting!

Cara