Making and creating has surged to the forefront of fashion recently, handmade and vintage fairs, retro, reclaiming, restoring, make do and mend are the latest thing. New magazines, books, shows, markets and products have taken us by storm; this has been partly influenced by an increase in the importance of reusing and recycling and also by the current financial situation of the country.
People realise that there are things other than spending money which can make you happy and are much more satisfying. A great excuse for making something is when you have a new baby and baby blankets are a great starting point. I am always keen to make things that are useful, not just for the sake of it.
If you are thinking of making baby blankets you need to decide what to make it from, wool is the obvious choice you can knit or crochet the whole blanket or how about knitting or crochet squares and attaching them to make a patchwork blanket?
The other option is a fleece blanket, which is very easy because you can cut it out and then edge it with blanket stitch or fabric.
Another lovely option is to make a patchwork blanket from a selection of cotton designs, you could even use old clothing that you don't wear anymore or sheets, it may be a bit time consuming but it will be worth it. You will need to back the blanket when you have finished the patchwork top, so you will need a larger piece of fabric that compliments the patch designs.
People always tend to have a lot of baby blankets, but it is still good to have more than less so they can be washed and you can keep them in different places so they are handy when you need them. They can also be passed from baby to baby and get years of use from them.
You must make sure that the baby blanket is suitable to use for babies, you must be careful about small parts like buttons and poppers and you also need to be careful about the fabrics you use. So make sure you do your research before you start.
If you don't feel confident about making one yourself you could enrol on a needlework or knitting course where you will get help and support in the learning the skills you need. If this still seems daunting, you could buy a homemade blanket from someone else. You can find people selling them on auction sites, websites, craft and handmade markets. I always think it is nicer to make it if you can because it is so much more personal, of course if you are having a baby yourself particularly if it's your first. You may have time on maternity before the baby is born that you can sit and make things like baby blankets, they are things that you will keep forever or pass on down through the family.
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