by Rachel Fahnel

Created on: July 23, 2010

A new baby is always excitng, and for those of us who know how to craft, it often ignites the desire to create something to give as a gift to the little one and Mommy.

An afghan is a popular gift for a new baby, as it is fairly simple, depending on the stitch you choose. It may take more yarn than, say, a hat, but in all but the warmest climates an afghan can be used in some form all year round, whether it be as a warm covering in the winter or a cheerful decoration for the nursery in the summer.

The simplest and sweetest of styles for an afghan is a plain granny square. It can be any size you desire, since you need only to keep adding rounds to make it grow. For more experienced crocheters, it can be a lovely project to work on mindlessly, perhaps as a break from something more complicated. For a novice crocheter, the simple granny square afghan can help you to perfect the double crochet stitch and become comfortabl with the feel of a hook and yarn.

There are of course many many types of afghan patterns. They can be found online, in books, magazines, and even (if you are lucky) you may know someone who is willing to lend or give you a favorite pattern. It can be a slightly mind-boggling but enjoyable experience to type "Baby Afghan Patterns" into a search engine. You're going to get a lot of hits!

For a baby you must make sure the yarn you choose isn't scratchy. These little ones have sensitive skin and this is not the time to bring out that pretty but prickley yarn you've had your eye on at the yarn shop. You can choose a soft, bulky yarn and a bigger hook, for a project that works up quickly; or you can choose a thinner baby-type yarn and a small hook for something that is more delicate and time-consuming. The choice is up to you, and Mommy and Baby will love either one, although if you are living in Minnesota and crocheting for a baby in Georgia, you may want to take that into consideration when deciding upon the thickness of the blanket.

It is also important to beware of the novelty yarns. Some of them can be hazardess to baby as long, twisted eyelashes can be pulled off and inhaled or swallowed. How lacy and open the finished project is also needs to be considered. Are you wanting the afghan you make to be used to keep little toes toasty in the winter months, or are you happy to let the afghan be placed in the nursery or put away as an heirloom? How open and delicate the work is contributes to how it will be used by the parents and child.

Now if you aren't lucky enough to have a little one that you want to crochet for, but you still have the desire to do so, consider making up a blanket and donating it to a shelter or a hospital; these children love handmade "lovies" and the need is always great. And even if you make one for a little one in your lfe, why not consider making up another for that purpose? After all, as happy as the new mommy was to recieve the gift, think how happy a mom that perhaps doesn't have the means to provide such a luxery to her baby would be. You could even designate the two afghans as "twins" and one day when the child is older you can tell him or her how they have a connection with another child somewhere through that afghan.

If you decide to crochet a baby afghan, remember to start well in advance so you are not rushed, and then you can relax and enjoy creating something that will last the recipient for years to come.

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