Baby & Nursery
Baby makes are quick wins - small yardage, small dimensions, finished in a weekend - which is why they're the classic gift. The catch is that they have to survive being washed constantly and can't have anything a baby could pull loose and swallow.
The patterns here use soft, machine-washable yarn and construction with no small sewn-on parts. Each one gives the finished measurements against a standard size range, since 'newborn' covers a wide spread and babies leave it fast.
No patterns here yet — check back soon.
Getting Baby & Nursery right
Superwash or acrylic, nothing that needs babying
Whatever you make will be washed after every use, often on a hot cycle by an exhausted parent. Choose a soft superwash wool or a good next-to-skin acrylic or cotton. A hand-wash-only fibre, however lovely, will get ruined or never used.
No buttons, beads, or sewn-on features
Anything small enough to come off is a choking hazard. Crochet features directly into the fabric, embroider faces with surface stitches pulled tight, and use ties or fold-over closures instead of buttons. If a pattern has sewn-on eyes, replace them.
Make the bigger size
Newborn clothes fit for a few weeks at most. Unless it's for an imminent arrival, work the 3-6 month size - it'll get far more wear, and a slightly roomy hat or cardigan is never a problem.
Check for loose loops on the inside
Long floats from colourwork and loosely woven ends can catch tiny fingers and toes. Turn the finished piece inside out and trim or tack down anything that could snag. Keep carried yarn short or catch it every couple of stitches.