Welcoming Home Baby the Handcrafted Way: 20 Quick & Creative Knitted Hats, Wraps & Cozy Cocoons for Your Newborn

Drake, founder of TrickyKnits, captures a festive mood in this collect of hand knit baby gifts. Beginning knitters will welcome the explicit directions and speedy results; experienced knitters will enjoy experimenting with chunky knits for tiny newborns. Either way, the soothing colors, textures, and large-scale designs create unique souvenirs, and Drake includes precise instructions and information about yarns used. She also tosses in additional ideas about alternate yarns and color combinations to help knitters create more personalized gifts. While some projects are indented for everyday wear, others are "photo props" and should only be used when adults are supervising babies closely. The results appear deliciously complex, yet the designs are relatively straightforward. Set apart from most baby knits by the use of large needles (nothing under size 10 and mostly size 15, 17, and 19) and chunky yarns, this scale works surprisingly well for tiny babies. Projects include the usual hats and blankets as well as some "nouveau" pods and cocoons. Families will appreciate one-of-a-kind handmade presents and knitters will appreciate the ease with which these cozy items can be created. Photos. (Mar.)