Proud mama: baby blanket (and first-ever project)

[trufflegirl]

I learned to knit just after Christmas, and decided that for my first project I'd make a baby blanket for a friend who's expecting this spring... (Flat, no shaping required, basic stitches only.) It took exactly three weeks to knit up (though I haven't yet dealt with the loose ends or blocked it out). I basically made up my own pattern, which was 121 stiches wide, with a seed stitch border (10 rows, top and bottom, and 8 stitches on either side) and stockinette in the centre. I'm so thrilled with the result! It's not quite perfect (there are a couple of little holes, I'm not entirely sure how they got there but I think I can mend them invisibly enough) but hey, for a first project, I'm happy!

[Knitrageous]

Looks great! Keep up the good work!

[elisha]

that's beautiful! so well done, even if it weren't your first project. what yarn did you use? it looks really soft.

[PhishyWishy]

That looks amazing! The yarn looks like the Bernat Denim? Is that right?
I have yet to start the blanket I'm planning for my 2 year old daughter. It's in the book Adorable Knits for Toddlers.

I think your friend will be thrilled! Good job

~Jess~

[trufflegirl]

Thanks, everyone. The yarn IS Bernat, but it's actually their Softee Chunky rather than their Denim --- it's the exact same two shades as the blue-and-white Denim yarn, but a slightly different twist and, I think, a shade or two heavier. I know very little about choosing yarn, but I have a baby blanket that my aunt knit for me when I was born, and I still use it as a lap rug when it's chilly, so I figured that if it could stand up to 24+ years of heavy rotation, then that kind of yarn would be a good, safe bet. I went yarn shopping and matched the weight and feel of the yarn in the old blanket as closely as I could, and the Softee Chunky was the result! Soft AND washable, what could be better?

[marnewein]

The blanket looks nice and cozy.  I just love seed stitch borders.  If you are ever up for knitting another baby blanket you might want to try the Big Bad Baby Blanket (from SnB), it is similar to your design.

[karenie]

that looks really excellent, what a great job!

[Ananas]

That is a great first project! I can't see any holes from the pictures. Or any mistakes! I can only imagine the wonders of your knitting future.

[trufflegirl]

That is a great first project! I can't see any holes from the pictures. Or any mistakes! I can only imagine the wonders of your knitting future.

*evil cackling*

It's genius! The reason you can't see the mistakes is that I used busy yarn. Believe me, if the piece were knit out of solid-colour yarn, the errors would jump out at you much more clearly! Mwah-ha-ha-ha!

Seriously, thank you for the encouragement. I'm about to go upstairs and frog a project that's not working out, so it's good to have some positive feedback about my ability!

[smrfchic]

That looks gorgeous!

I'm crocheting a baby blanket from the Bernat baby coordinates... i have to say, I am really pleased with the durability of their baby yarns.  They do hold up really well to machine washing and drying, and all the rough and tumble stuff that kids might put them through.