Afghans for Babies - Techniques and Motifs
Creating Unique Knit or Crochet Baby Blankets
Sep 12, 2009
Most people who knit or crochet are especially happy when they hear of a new baby on the way. This gives them the opportunity to make pretty items which are small in size and quick to make. As well as baby clothes, however, the crafter may also want to make a baby afghan, which gives great scope for imagination and allows something beautiful and unique to be made.
Motifs for Baby Blankets
It is possible for the knitter or crocheter to apply any motif to a blanket. Classic patterns include animals, teddy bears, boats, bows, toys, balloons or clowns. Lettering is also popular, either a classic “ABC” or, if the baby has arrived before you start working, the name and date of birth of the child.
Type of Afghan
When planning your blanket, think about the type of Afghan you’re making. Is this to lay on the floor, for baby to be placed on as it learns to kick and move? Is the afghan a large, softly draped item to wrap around baby and keep him or her warm? Or are you looking to make a pram blanket; smaller but with great insulating properties? This decision will help you decide the most appropriate technique and yarn.
Techniques to be used
The choice is completely with the person doing the knitting or crochet. You may prefer to do some bright knitted colourwork to “paint your pattern in yarn”. If using the stranded technique, however, it may be wise to back the blanket with some cotton fabric, to avoid the baby’s fingers getting caught in the floats.
The technique chosen also has an impact on the thickness and warmth of the blanket. For example, a tapestry crochet blanket will be very thick and sturdy, making it ideal for a floor blanket.
If you’d like to make something lighter (perhaps for a baby due in the summer) then filet crochet makes a warm but light blanket and can be used to produce all types of designs.
Yarn choices.
Budget, practicality and personal choice will come into play here. Acrylic yarns are washable, durable and often available in a range of bright colours. However, they tend not to be as soft as traditional animal fibres. The crafter may also like to consider some of the newer yarn alternatives, such as bamboo, which is very gentle to the touch and has a delicate drape.
Making an Afghan for a baby is a great way to flex the knitter’s or crocheter’s design muscles, without taking on too complex a task. Whether you decided to make a simple item in pastel shades, or an intricate design with different colours and techniques, the blanket you create will be very gratefully received by the new parents and treasured as a family heirloom of the future.
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