It is freezing here today as I write this blog post. We’ve stripped back the carpets to floorboards, pulled off all of the blinds when the painting was done and now the temperatures have dropped. It makes for a cold house. And as soon as the weather gets cooler I start thinking about knitting.
And almost every year I set the very unrealistic goal that I will knit each little person a cardigan or jumper before the winter is over. And I never achieve it. I can’t believe I once promised retro daddy a jumper. Who was I kidding? I can’t even finish anything for myself. I just cast this pattern on for Emerson on Saturday night and it’s one of my favourites.
The pattern has a very functional name – Child’s Placket Neck Pullover – and it’s knit from the bottom up in one piece. Love that. I’ve made it before here and it’s from Last Minute Knitted Gifts. This photo kills me with its cuteness. Elodie just tugs at my heart strings and will always be my baby girl.
Anyway it got me thinking about favourite patterns. And I do have some favourite knits for little ones and thought I’d share them with you. My number one easy winter knit for babies has to be the Easy Baby Cardigan from More Last Minute Knitted Gifts. It’s a winner. Takes no time at all, knit in one piece from the bottom of the back right over to the bottom front edge. You then sew up the side seams and the sleeves in one go and you are done! My projects on Ravelry are here and here.
Now I do have a soft spot for Debbie Bliss patterns and one of my favourites that I’ve made a few times is the Ribbed Baby Jacket. This was knit up in Bendigo Rustic and so warm. You can find this project on Ravelry here and if you read the instructions on the pattern page here you might be able to download it.
Another Debbie Bliss pattern that I am totally addicted to is the Baby shrug. I think I’ve made it 3 or 4 times and it’s super easy. Also knit all in one piece (yes, can you see a trend here). You can see my projects on Ravelry here and here. Now this is Tillie – some of you might not have seen too many baby photos of her as those were crazy days when the twins were little.
A recent knit that I made for Elodie is just perfect for winter and it’s not a well known pattern but a really great one as it lasts a couple of winters due to the sizing. OK so the pattern is called Duck Soup and you can find the pattern here. My project on Ravelry is here and my model Elodie did a fabulous job wearing it. And the wool was just amazing. A Bendigo back room special and just perfect for a little girl.
If cardigans or jumpers are just looking way too hard for your knitting skills or available time right now then look for something small. For me that means hats and socks. One of the easiest hats to make and one of the very first I made a few times is the Simple Hat by Debbie Bliss. Knit on two needles or you could do it on dpn’s or a circular if you wanted. It’s super cute and lasts for a long time. I also have a super cute and easy crochet hat in baby and toddler size here. Please note that I use US terminology for my crochet!
These socks are super cute and are knit on 2 straight needles and then the back seam is sewn up and you have a sock. Just be warned that if you knit a pair of socks and lose one while out……well you will be very upset. Just saying. It’s not like losing a Bonds sock. Devastated could be the word.
That should keep you going for a while…………questions? What’s your favourite winter knit for little ones?
Children wearing hand-knits – beautiful! My mum knit Che a fabulous vest a few years ago – stylish and practical considering all the running around he does. It’s a quick knit and he wore it practically every day in the cooler months. I have a photocopy of the pattern here if you’re interested x
I’m looking for a vest for my little man. He’s almost two and I find that a vest is great for in between weather. Would you mind a swap for that pattern?
Here’s the vest here – http://cheandfidel.blogspot.com/2011/05/cmon-he-says.html
(from a few years back!) My mum is currently knitting the next size up in a beautiful charcoal. My email address is on the sidebar of my blog – email me your postal address and I’ll send it off in the next few days x
Its not a specific pattern, but my favourite thing to knit for my little guys are vests- quick AND practical for keeping little bodies warm. And if you make then a little longer you should get at least two winters out of them, since most little boys just seem to get taller rather than bigger! And who an resist a sweet little guy in a smart vest?’
I am a fairly basic knitter but love the idea of trying some little socks like the ones you made. I had a look at the Ravelry link & see the pattern is from a magazine & not on the site. Do you know of any free patterns for something similar as I don’t want to buy lots of pattern books yet until I get the hang of things a bit better. I need lots more practise before I try anything too tricky, thanks for any ideas.
Sigh . . . . how gorgeous are your little babies
They make such perfect little models for your beautiful work! I’m hoping my Mum (the expert knitter in the family) will knit my Tilly May a bigger beanie this year as her newborn one is a little snug now! I look at your knits and feel so inspired I definitely want to tackle a little jumper this winter. All in one knits sound like my kind of project!
I love that your mum knits for you:) I definitely want to do that for my kids
I’m such a procrastinator! I really would like to start knitting this Winter. I have one of Georgie Hallam’s patterns for girls so I really must casting on. Might be something nice to do while the kids are doing their swimming lessons. Your knits are really great. Wish I was just as keen as you.
*Oh, head over to my blog for a Woolworths giveaway too!
I love the look of the crochet hat, it’s gorgeous. I went to Spotlight yesterday to pick up some wool and ended up with fabric. I’m not a very experienced knitter but i’d like to move beyond the square facewashers that i’ve mastered. I’ll have to try again later in the week!
also see if you have a lincraft near you as I prefer the patterns and range of wool at lincraft actually:)
I walked past a lovely craft shop on York St in the city today and instantly thought of you! I could have been the window display that did it, balls of wool piled high lol
This post now makes me want to learn how to knit! Love every project.
Love your Knitting Collection, so cute. I’m working on my very first baby jumper the Debbie Bliss Boat Neck in DB Aran a beautiful colour like midnight blue. Live in Hobart so perfect weather for Knitting at the moment, hopefully get a couple of jumpers done before bubs arrives in 10 weeks.
Thank you for being so inspiring.
Hmmm how hard was that duck soup jacket? I’ve only made a few knitted items and am rather new to it all, wondering if this is as hard as it looks?
If you’re after a quick hat in 4ply/sock yarn, I love the Norwegian Sweet Baby Cap, I’ve made a couple and they’re so cute! I also recently made a pair of these mittens for a special little guy, he loves them.
ohhhhhh thank you!!!!
Oh I have so tried to tackle socks but it just wasn’t working for me! I would love to know where I could find a pattern that is simple knitted on two needles and then seamed! Thanks corrie!
yep let me see if I can find a free download one! leave it with me
They are all so gorgeous, the knits and your babies. I’m still going on my kina and apparently I have become “obsessed” with knitting already.
Your inspiration has me thinking I need to start a “stash”. Move over cookbooks I think some knitting books might need some shelf space.
obsession is good!!!!! yes you need a stash:) stashes are good Lesley
Oh knitted garments on the little ones always look so gorgeous. Love the pics of your babes Corrie… I have never seen a pic of baby Tillie, I almost wondered if you’d thrown in a couple of pics of a model from one of the knitting patterns, haha! Such pretty girls you have xo
I know!!!! those days were so crazy it’s hard to find baby photos of the twins
My mother in law used to knit the most gorgeous cardigans and mittens for my little boy when he was little and they are a beautiful keepsake. I’ve nearly finished crochetig a little cardigan for my niece’s 1st birthday next week! I’m curious, why do you use US terminology? It does my head sometimes translating US stitiches into English
great question! I’m self taught and all the youtube videos were US terminology and all the patterns I used were from the US:)
Thanks for these – You have got me onto In the round knitting as I hate sewing up!! Just found a very cute girls pattern on Ravelry – Camilla Babe by Carrie Bostick Hoge
It is very cute and so far very easy to follow am knitting this for my 9 month old.
Will have to show you at our next stitch and bitch.
Happy Knitting
Your post made me smile. My husband is still waiting for his jumper from quite a few years ago!! Knits for bubs so much quicker and rewarding. I’ve just started a Milo vest for my 5mth old, but definitely going to check out that shrug.
Hi Corrie,
Loving your knitting posts, I was wondering could you please tell me the colour of the yarn in the second photo (the brownish yarn you are just casting on with). I have been learning to knit and really want to have a go at knitting a short sleeve jacket for my three year old son and was looking at Bendigo Wool but I do not have my colour chart available, was thinking a brown or a slate in the luxury and then remembered this post, and was hoping you could help me because I love that colour that you are using. Thank you for inspiring me to get knitting xx
Hi would really love the pattern instructions for the baby socks knitted on two needles. Have scoured your site, but cannot find them, please, please help!
where do i find your patterns? i like the red pullover and the gray cardigan. thank you