H’s daycare provider, Maggie, is having a baby. Her baby boy is due in mid-July. Also, H’s last day with Maggie is July 2nd, as he will be starting preschool on July 6th.
I wanted to do something special for Maggie’s baby, but didn’t know what that would be. She has a large family and already has everything she needs for the baby, especially since she runs a home daycare. I have a gift for H to give Maggie on his last day as a goodbye and thank you, but I’ve struggled to come up with an idea for a gift for the baby.
I finally decided that I wanted to do something personal and special. Although I’m just a beginning knitter, I really wanted to make a blanket for the baby. I selected a very simple pattern, so that I wouldn’t get discouraged and also so that I would be able to work through it more quickly. I purchased some wonderfully soft yarn. And then I cast on my first baby blanket on June 7th.
IT IS TAKING ME FOREVER!
I have no idea how I’m going to finish the blanket before the baby arrives. I work on it every spare chance I get, but as of today, the blanket is only about 40% complete. My goal was to either use the hand-knit blanket to wrap up some other items that I’ve purchased for the baby or to fold the blanket and bundle it with a pretty satin ribbon and place it in a basket with the other goodies for baby.
I have really good aspirations.
I just don’t have skill or time.
ARGHHHHHHHHH.
The blanket looks fine so far. It’s still so very small and still coming along slowly. My fear is that I will be ashamed of it when I’m finished and will be embarrassed to give it to her after all the time and work I put into it. I really really wanted something special for her. Now, I’m second guessing my decision to knit the blanket.
Why do I do these things to myself?
Oh and I was also going to knit a matching gift bag to put little items in like baby shampoo, etc. But that’s not going to happen now.
What was I thinking?
I have done this as well! I ended up making the blanket small and telling them it was good for use while the baby is in a car seat or swing. It is small enough for that and you won’t have the weight or bulk of a big blanket. They actually loved it and use it all the time!
Great thinking on your part! Have you made a special blanket for your little one?
I feel your pain – I purchased two bibs to embroider and a ton of yarn to crochet a blankie for my step-daughter’s baby, which is due in early September. One bib is about 80% finished. The blanket? Maybe 5%. The other bib hasn’t even been touched.
I’ve decided I’m going to finish the bib this weekend if it kills me, and work on the blanket over the next 4 weeks, since Beloved will be out of town and it’s just going to be me, the dog and the fish. The second bib will just have to wait until the next kid.
Don’t beat yourself up, and don’t be ashamed of the final product. I’ll bet my next paycheck she’ll be thrilled with it when it’s completed.
Good luck with the blanket! And don’t forget to post pictures when you’re done!
Don’t quit now! You’re doing great! Maggie will LOVE the blanket because you put so much thought, time, energy and LOVE into it. I like Mdlasure’s idea. If you rund short on time just cast off where you are and call it good. Believe me Maggie will not know it isn’t what it started out to be:)
Linda – I wish! Unfortunately, I’m knitting the blanket diagonally, so I can’t just cast off and call it done. ARGHHHHHHH!!!! Thanks for the vote of confidence!
I was going to make a DVD for Christmas presents. It’s June….
I’ve been feeling this way A LOT lately… somehow I always get myself in over my head…
Why do we do this to ourselves? Oh yeah…we’re nice like that.
Everyone’s right. She will love it and it’s fine if it’s small. Kids and their blankets…perfect gift.
Hang in there!
Thank you!
I volunteered to make my soon to be newest grandson’s nursery ensemble. Ugh….what was I thinking??? I’ve got 2 months and so far I’ve done nothing. zilch. nada.
Good luck to you…….and me both. HUGS
Thanks! Now we can pester…I mean…encourage each other!
I’m sure it will be great and she will love it because you made it yourself. I’m sure she will cherish it.
I hope so.
I bet that blanket will be one of her favorite possessions. And she doesn’t have to have it before the baby comes. Good for you for undertaking something so special.
Thanks Debbie. I hope so!
That’s why everyone gets the same baby gift from me, a cute (code for tiny) sweater. I found this Debbie Bliss pattern that is basically 2 squares with sleeves attached. You only need to add a stitch to each end a few times for the sleeves. The pattern is really, really easy. And, the best part, really, really fast. I even use left over yarn and make them striped – it looks intentional. My 2 best friends and I had a knitting party to make these not that long ago. I even put it up on our blog, bitterbuthappy.wordpress.com with a picture of the finished product. We had a great time and in one evening we each got part a front of a sweater done, and that’s with a lot of talking, drinking and laughing. – Beah – bitterbuthappy.wordpress.com