Here's my problem - I need an answer to an important question: how big are babies?
Yes, yes, I know I'll find out soon enough but I'd really like to know little things like how big the neck opening has to be if I'm knitting a cardigan. I started a February Baby Sweater last week with some gorgeous handspun (I'm sure I have a picture somewhere but I can't find it at the moment and my camera is not playing well with the lights in our apartment) but decided that the neck opening was way too small. Naturally, I frogged and then started over again with more stitches and pretty much made things up as I went. I'm at the point where you divide for the sleeves and the proportions just look a bit funny (did I mention that I was making this up along the way? or that I was knitting it during a day-long conference and so couldn't really focus on it and look like I was paying more attention to the sweater than the presenter?). This one is going to join the frog pond soon along with the rest of my failed baby projects. Resurrection will have to wait until I have taken the time to do a bit of research into baby proportions.
Of course, I'm thinking about this right now because I plan to sneak some knitting into what will probably be a fairly tedious event tomorrow and a baby item sounded perfect, except for the fact that I really have no idea what I'm doing when it comes to knitting for very small people. It's all well and good to say that the sweater will fit the recipient at some point when the gift is going to someone else's kid. But when I want to make something for my own to wear, I want to make it seasonally appropriate and that means I need to have an idea of how big the tadpole is going to be and when.
So, it's time to ask for help. Do you know any good resources for basic baby measurements/proportions? Honestly, I just need chest and neck circumference at various ages/weights but any recommendations will be very welcome.
(totally random photo just so I have one)
Thanks in advance! I'm off to figure out what to knit tomorrow. Maybe a sock. Maybe a shawl. Who knows?
8 comments:
Well - babies & the cat are a comparable size, right?
Of course, you could always just knit socks for your husband. Just saying.
I've knit several baby items, granted not for my own, wish I knew how to knit when they were babies. I usually go with a pattern or book with a schematic. Actually, looking at baby knit books with schematics should get you the measurements you're looking for. Vintage Baby Knits is a great resource, cute patterns too. Good luck!
What Jonah said.
I'm not an expert on baby sizing, and I've often asked myself the same thing when knitting gifts (and justified it as you did, with the "they'll grow into it" summation). Sorry I can't offer any help. Thanks for sharing the gratuitous kitty pic!
I would start by investing in some store-bought baby clothes in various sizes 0-3 month, 3-6 month, etc. Then you have something you can measure. However, when a baby fits in those sizes depends some on birth weight. My babies were all around 9 lbs. so they were in 0-3 month clothes for about 3 weeks! Hope this helps some.
Not even a little bit of a clue so can't help you out. This would be why I've never knit clothes for babies (except hats), instead focusing on toys or blankets. You know, things they can never really grow out of.
Speaking of...while I make no promises since I am the slowest knitter in the world, I was sort of wanting to knit a little green Elijah for Tinks and Frogs Jr. sometime early next year. Would you be okay with that (cuz you know, you'd have to provide an address to send to)?
And yeah...I'm thinking you should probably finish at least one pair of husband socks...he's getting a tad bit grumpy about it. ;)
I agree with M. I bought some Gap items off the sale rack - 3/6/12/18 mos etc. Then I used it as a gauge.
The book "Vintage Baby Knits" has a chart with baby measurements. I find it helpful. The patterns are all lovely, as well, but just about every one requires seaming. Ugh.
HTH
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