cashmere baby gifts
November 21st, 2012
This cashmere baby set is very quickly becoming my go to baby gift to make. One shrunken cashmere sweater will usually yield one pair of pants and a hat (both in newborn-ish size) with some scraps leftover for a toy of some sort.
The hat pattern is the same martha stewart pattern I’ve used over the years, but I’ve redrafted it so many times I don’t know if it’s the same as hers any more. This one turn out a little helmet-y. I wanted to add ties to it, but nothing seemed to work: the jersey bias tape I made was too janky looking, the braided jersey was too thick, and the cashmere wasn’t stretchy enough.
Instead of continuing to fuss with the ties, I just made another hat. This one is made with the pilot cap pattern from Sew Liberated–an excellent pattern. I added a lining to the pattern because the striped jersey fabric I was working with was so thin. I love this one to bits. I don’t know why I never made these when my kids were little, but everyone I know who has a baby is getting one from here on out!
Last time I made this ball, I hand stitched it. This time, well, this time there was less time. The ball turned out a little pointy–not really what you are looking for in a ball. Next time I might try hexagons. Jennifer Murphy has a lovely tutorial for pentagon balls that I used for this ball. She had the great idea to add a bias tape handle! There is a little jingle bell inside the ball, so the baby can hold on to the handle and shake it until her mother goes mad.
Do you have a signature baby gift you make?
I’ve started making cashmere versions of this free pattern as baby gifts: http://leafytreetopspot.blogspot.ca/2012/10/lapped-front-infant-hoodie-tutorial-and.html. It takes two thrifted cashmere sweaters, and instead of doing the cuffs as described, I reuse the sweater sleeve cuffs without removing them (just line up your pattern piece carefully). I reuse the bottom ribbing of the sweater, although you must remove it and then sew it on. These sweaters have received rave reviews, as they are incredibly soft and easy to put over an infant’s head.
Megan–that is such a great pattern!! I wonder if I could size it up for a six month old who is on my christmas list….
I have made it quite a bit bigger by just making the seam allowances 1/4 inch, and adding a bit of extra length in the sleeves and torso.
loooove! they’re so sweet! I don’t know if I have a favorite gift to make, I love making crib sets mostly because I know they’ll get used. :)
I don’t have a signature baby gift, but perhaps i should… now I only need to find a shrunken cashmere sweater. It sounds like you find them easily, here around that is not something you would fine that easily, perhaps an ordinary wool sweater will do…
Such beautiful gifts! The striped pilot cap is my favorite :-)
I used to always make flannel baby quilts (SO soft and cozy!), but that became too time consuming. My current standard baby gift is a couple of denim bibs and a coordinating crocheted hat.
Love these, and i’m sure they’re SO soft. Apparently I like giving newborn pants, it is hard to find newborn sized clothes projects out there though you know? Might need to remedy. That hoodie tutorial linked above is super cute! I do like giving appliqued bibs. Those are fun.
My go to gift is a flannel blanket. 2layers, cut approx 43″ square. Right sides together, stitch, turn press, quit a few lines through the middle and top stitch around. These are the same blankets my grandmother made when I was a baby, and made for my own children. They are bigger than the usual store bought size and great for swaddling my winter babies
You have such a wonderful way with colours! Love these. Yes, my signature baby gift is the Quick Change Trousers with a matching reversible bib.
Thank you! I’ve been trying to figure out what to get my great nephew. I’m making these!!
I love them.
I always make a flannel blanket and these adorable knit hats!
http://richardsonshine.blogspot.com/2011/11/for-baby.html
What sweetness. I’ve made toys out of vintage sheets in the past, but I’ll definitely be making this ball to mix it up a bit. THanks for sharing – so pleased to have found your blog via Pinterest.
x Elena @ Randomly Happy
Really lovely set- I must make a trip to the local Goodwill Outlet to stock up on recyclable cashmere.
I used to do matching burp cloth/bib sets with some great bamboo terry cloth I found on Etsy, but I ran out of the terry and haven’t seen anything as good since. A cashmere hat sounds like a great substitute!