Simple Things to Knit for Babies That They Actually Need
Learn what simple things to knit for babies when you’re expecting. Whether you’re pregnant with your first or fifth, these are the essential baby knits you really need.
You can watch to see what I knit for baby #4 in my YouTube video below, or keep scrolling for the must have list of what to knit for babies.
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I recently went to a friend’s baby shower, where she unwrapped a total of 8 gifted handknit blankets.
Now, as a mom of four, this got me thinking: how many blankets does a baby really need?
What advice would I have given myself 6 years ago when I was expecting my first baby (and shamelessly casting on my 3rd blanket for her)?
Would I still welcome the choices and memories of something handmade? Would I have wished I spent time making other things for baby?
Or would I feel a little like a hoarder 4 babies and a total of 16 handknit blankets later?
Okay, the truth is, it’s a little bit of all of these! So I want to share some of my favorite baby knits I’ve made and received over my last 4 pregnancies.
Benefits of Knitting While Pregnant
This must have list of what to knit for babies isn’t exclusive for expecting moms, but I really believe there are so many benefits of knitting while you’re pregnant.
Knitting while pregnant has always been a time to relax, unwind, and slow down and bond with the baby growing inside of me.
Also, knitting helped me through the fear of going into labor with my first. It calmed my nerves of bringing home a second baby, making my oldest no longer the baby of the house. Knitting also calmed my pregnancy anxiety with my third and fourth babies during a crazy time in our world.
Taking quiet knitting time to connect with your baby creates a bond with someone you don’t even know yet!
Even when your baby is grown, having a home full of handmade knits will give you such great feelings from all the memories.
Tips for Baby Knits
- Remember that babies grow incredibly fast in their first year of life. Don’t get stuck in the newborn phase, because his head won’t stay that small for long! Some babies are born with bigger heads and won’t even fit in something smaller than 3 months! Try to keep your options open by knitting a few different sizes, whether that’s hats or sweaters. I knit this lovely sweater for my two year old!
- Think about the season your baby will be born in. This really goes along with sizing. You don’t want to knit a bunch of newborn hats or photo props for a July baby, because it’ll be too hot for him to wear anything! Instead, gift something that grows with him, like a knit blanket or toy, and 3-6 month hats for the upcoming colder months.
- If you don’t have a knitting community and it’s your first baby, head to your local yarn shop. Make friends and knit with them. Because once you have more kids, those knitting groups will be harder to make but the friendships will remain and continue outside of the shop’s hours.
- Baby socks and booties are notorious for falling off, but I still love to make them! The benefit of handmade socks over a generic pair off of Amazon is that you can knit a tighter cuff or add elastic to help keep them on while getting to and from the car.
- If you have older children, consider knitting them a matching or coordinating gift. It can even be “from baby” when he gets here! My kids all have matching red Santa hats that I knit them, and they wear them when we cut down a Christmas tree each year. I also knit up family Christmas stockings that coordinate so that my older kids could bond with baby before he arrived, too.
- Baby skin is sensitive and you won’t know if he has an allergy until he’s born. Cotton is always a good choice, but if you’re looking at wool yarn I really love Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick. It’s an inexpensive acrylic and wool blend that’s actually really soft (especially the Charcoal color, which I’ve heard from lots of other moms is for some reason extra soft!). Hats are hard to keep on babies. They’re even harder if the yarn is itchy.
- Tip for baby knitting: prepare for pregnancy brain knitting!
What should I knit for my baby?
Baby blankets:
Think beyond a small lovey or car seat blanket. These are useful, but a lot of moms end up with tons of cotton receiving and swaddling blankets that get more use just because they’re machine washable and easily replaceable. Remember: tired new moms won’t remember care instructions! You can even think ahead to crib and twin sized blankets that can be personalized with embroidered initials. Two of Lucy’s favorite blankets were the Rose Love Blanket and the Woodland Moss Blanket. Both super easy, one was even knit while she was a newborn!
Baby hats:
I get lost in knitting baby hats because they’re so cute and so quick to knit! The way to keep from drowning in newborn hats is to spread out the sizing. Babies are all different. Some love hats and others don’t, so play around with different styles in case yours isn’t a fan of one. Try pom pom hats and ear flap hats. Also, over the head hats with open face and cute animal ears are harder for a baby to take off and whip into the snow!
Newborn photo props:
Babies are only little once, and it can be fun to knit something even though they’ll only wear it a couple of times. Seasonal and holiday hats, like adorable pumpkin hats or elf hats make really fun newborn Christmas photos. Knit sleepsacks let you capture his quiet shuteye moments. And there are so many patterns out there for different themed diaper covers, hats, and accessories.
Nursery accessories:
One simple way to add warmth and texture to a nursery is through knitting! Wall hangings, rugs, and little ottoman poufs for late night feedings make it extra cozy. But, try to keep it small. Think mobiles or knitted toys unless it’s your own baby. Some expecting moms are super particular about the nursery theme and colors, and you’ll avoid the awkwardness of gifting something big that doesn’t match and isn’t used.
Baby sweaters:
I LOVE knitting baby sweaters! They go so fast, especially if you use worsted or bulky weight yarn. There are some adorable sweater patterns out there for boys and girls. My go to for all four babies has been the Wee HooDoo by Taiga Hillard. It works up so quick and they were able to wear it until they were two! And it’s also a great way to try a new technique on a small project, like how to cable knit.
Little Sister/Little Brother matching accessories:
Matching hats and sweaters are just plain cute on siblings with a new baby. Especially at the holidays! It’s also a really great way to get big bro or sis excited because they’re being included. Instead of “mommy’s knitting this for the new baby” or “Grandma brought this monster hat for the baby” they’re also getting a gift, and that bonds them both to the maker and the new baby.
Baby socks:
Are baby socks hard to keep on? Oh yeah. But if you have a cold weather birthday baby, they’re also a necessity. I thought I could just toss a blanket over my first daughter’s legs when going to and from the car, but babies kick like crazy! You don’t want your little guy to end up with cold toes, so grab a tiny bit of scrap yarn and have some fun!
Christmas stocking:
Similar to matching older and younger siblings, having a family project that includes your new addition, like Christmas stockings, are a fun way to bond everybody together. You’re probably grabbing a baby’s first Christmas ornament, so why not cast on a new stocking, too?! This is my absolute favorite Christmas stocking designer.
>>What to Knit for a Baby at Christmas from a Mom of 4
How to Care for Baby Knits?
The biggest thing is to read the label on your yarn to find out how to wash it.
Acrylic can generally be thrown in the washing machine. I like to use a laundry bag so nothing gets snagged, and then hang dry. I also hang dry superwash wool and cotton to avoid shrinkage, and anything wool gets a gentle hand wash and is laid flat to dry.
What Should I Knit for a Warm Weather Baby?
If you’re having a spring or summer baby, you can still absolutely knit for him! Here are some things I knit for my April baby:
- Hats in the 6-12 month range, including a Santa hat to match her big sisters at Christmas
- A tummy time blanket
- This sleepsack for cute newborn photos
- Lots of washcloths in my favorite cotton yarn
What is the Best Yarn for Baby Knits?
Most knitters prefer acrylic or cotton yarn for baby knitting, because they’re so easy to care for.
I also like wool blends for warmth and structure. Lion Brand Wool Ease Thick and Quick is really versatile and holds the shape of a tummy time blanket really well! It’s also inexpensive and easy to find at most craft stores and online.
I’ve also used Caron Simply Soft for lots of lightweight and easy to wash baby blankets.
Find out more of our favorites:
- Cherry Blossom Cable Knit Leg Warmers
- Highland Frost Fair Isle Knit Hat
- Inverness Snow Fair Isle Knit Hat
- Hygge Home Pillow for Nursery
Pin It For Later
I hope this helps you decide what to knit for babies! Whether you’re expecting or gifting, knitting for a baby is such a fun time to try something new! Now that you know what to knit for baby, keep making time to knit once she gets here!
Here are some posts about what to knit when baby gets older:
It’s all worth it, I promise.
