I don’t have babies any more. My youngest is 5 years old. But, people come into the yarn store looking for baby projects all the time; mostly for grandchildren or nieces/nephews, and occasionally their own children. It’s fun to knit for babies. The projects are small and knit up quickly. You can try out a new yarn and knitting method without worrying about a big project.

What kind of things do they look for?

It varies. Somedays it’s intricate fair isle sweaters, patterns from Dale of Norway, and other days it’s gansey’s, like the ones from Yankee Knitter. Last summer it was a lot of baby blankets (we have our own patterns that you get with purchase).

The one thing that makes the biggest difference is the presence of a sample. We’ve got dozens of sample items knit up at the store. Sweaters, blankets, hats, scarves and socks adore the walls and countertops. Often people will bring a specific item up to the counter and ask for the exact pattern and yarn. I guess the sample makes it real.

These samples are the reason I’m making the Frog Tree Alpaca Handpaint cowl I’ve been writing about. But next I want to make something for a baby. I’m considering this pattern:

It’s Minnowknits’ China Doll pattern.

Here are my questions.

• Would this be a good boy’s sweater? I would put it on one of my boys, but other people have different feelings about what boys should wear.
• Is organic yarn important? I’m considering O-Wool. (click on the “Hand Knitting” link in the left sidebar to see the colors)
• What color would you choose? For a boy or girl? I love garnet, but the oatmeal looks so . . . organic.

Answer away, peeps!