Molly's Sketchbook: Swaddling Blankets

I love making handmade presents in anticipation of a new baby. I will always remember knitting my soon-to-be niece a baby blanket while I was on a road trip through Europe many years ago. As I looked out the window and watched the fields and mountains pass by I thought about what she was going to be like with every stitch. What would they name her? Who would she look like? Would she like me? I felt like my good wishes for her were being knitted psychically into the blanket. Ever since then I've tried to make something special for each of the new babies that have come into my life.

In addition to heartfelt, I also try to make my handmade gifts practical. There isn't much point in putting so much care and effort into something if it won't be used. So lately, my go-to baby gift has been a set of Swaddling Blankets with a hand-finished edge. They strike a good balance between usefulness and homemade detail. They are the right size to swaddle a baby (42-inches square), but they work perfectly well as a burp cloth or stroller blanket too.

I actually made my first set of Swaddling Blankets a few years ago as a project for the Purl Bee. Now I'm giving the original pattern a fresh look with this season's  fabrics. I  designed two sets of two blankets each, one set  in pretty pink:

and one in crisp blue:

I used the graphic Nani Iro double gauze stripes as the outsides and bright, lightweight  Shot Cotton for the lining. These two fabrics together make a wonderful blanket, so airy and soft. If you'd like to make your own please check out my Swaddling Blanket Journal here!

Comments

[Fiz Whelan]

Love the swaddling blankets, purl bee.

[het groene kamertje]

I used your idea a while ago and received a lot of compliments, so thank you for the wonderful idea!
You can see my version here: http://hetkabinet.blogspot.com/2010/05/baby-dekentjes-of-lakentjes.html

[Sarah]

I've been making similar blankets for years and some have come back for repair, not easy to do when it is the "lovey" being dragged everywhere. For fall and spring, it's nice to use flannel for one side for a little extra cozy warmth.

[MB@YarnUiPhoneAppv1.6]

These fabrics remind me of old ticking fabric...the muted tones are just perfect. I'll bet these are super-soft. New mom will appreciate these!

[kelly]

Very nice pattern and instructions! Looking forward to more :)

[stickers]

@Sarah: Yeah, it reminds me also. Thanks for sharing looking forward for more.... Thanks..