Excellent Welcoming Gifts: Knitted Baby Blankets

Let’s face it, looking for the perfect baby gift for a newborn can be difficult especially when you know a baby already has everything he (she) needs. Knitted baby blankets are excellent gifts which are also very useful. Giving a new parent a personalized baby blanket gift is something that will be treasured for a lifetime as nothing is more comforting than a hand-knit baby blanket. It is in fact, one of those things that we all have fond childhood memories of, and therefore knitting one is more than just a way to pass the time until the baby arrives – it’s a way of showing the baby how much you care by giving it the perfect welcome gift.

When deciding which type of blanket to buy, always consider the climate in which the new baby will be living in. Knitted blankets are not intended for warmer climates because they are typically made of wool which is intended to trap heat that keeps the baby warm and snug.

Manufacturers of blankets for babies, whether knitted or not, only use materials that are safe and hypoallergenic. It’s common knowledge that a baby's skin is sensitive and easily susceptible to allergic reactions or skin irritations. Materials like 100% wool or cotton are made from natural fibers which are safer for babies.

When choosing baby blankets as gifts, you should consider its size. Blankets for newborns should not be too large because they can become tangled in it and it could pose a possible danger. Take note that baby blankets have three main sizes – crib blankets, swaddling blankets, and receiving blankets. While you may not have known it, but each of these blankets has a specific purpose.

The Crib Blankets is literally for the crib and it is usually around 36" x 52". Swaddling Blankets is usually lightweight and is the small blanket you use when the baby first comes home from the hospital. Receiving Blankets is 34" x 36" and perfect for the baby to carry around even when he reaches toddler age. This works great in baby carriers and car seats and is pretty much an all-purpose blanket.

Another consideration you should also take is the color. The colors should at least be stimulating but not extremely bright. Comfy and calming colors for the baby fall in the pastel group. If you do wish to venture out of that zone, make sure the colors are easily found in other baby products of a nursery or in baby clothing because the new parents are likely to use it if it fits in well.

Knitting is all about needles, yarns, stitches, patterns which wonderfully come together to form the perfect blanket. So, if you choose to knit a blanket on your own, be sure you share this information with the new parents because it will likely be of great help to them.