Itty-Bitty Nursery

271 Pages·2007·6.4 MB·English

by  Susan B. Anderson

itty-bitty nursery
Susan B. Anderson
Photographs by Liz Banfield
ARTISAN • NEW YORK
To my husband, Brian, and children, Evan, Ben, Holly, and Mary Kate. You
make my house a home. And to my mom, Mary Ann Barrett. Thank you for a
lifetime filled with love and support.

contents
INTRODUCTION
ABBREVIATIONS
squares and rectangles
Basic Skills
Squares and Rectangles Baby Set
Grumpy Old Bear
Bear Sweater
Patches
baby sets
Circles and Stripes Stroller Blanket
Circles Stroller Jacket and Mittens
Chubby Bunny
Flower Cardigan and Hat Set
Baby’s Texture Blanket
Cozy Book Pillow and Slippers
Cozy Boatneck Sweater
Pure and Sweet Layette
nursery goodies
Garden Mice Mobile
Baby Box Covers
Clothesline
Peas and Carrots
on the go, baby!
Pacifier Clips
Fruit Loops Bag
Quick Knit Mini-Tote
Cupcake Baby Set
Frenchie
playtime!
Cupcake Tea Set
Dotted Chickens
Three Pigs and a Wolf
a few more stitches
special techniques
SOURCES
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
introduction
When I shared a copy of Itty-Bitty Hats, my first book, with a dear friend of
mine, she turned to me and said, “You have a voice!” I loved that reaction, and
this comment has resonated in my thoughts for a long time. I know that I have
always had a strong voice when it came to my own knitting, but I began thinking
about every knitter’s voice. Each knitter has a distinct perspective about his or
her knitting. Knitters share their viewpoints with others through the choices they
make when working on a project.
These choices are initially fairly basic: which projects to make and which
yarns to use. Adding a personal twist to a pattern through color choice or other
variation can make a project different from anyone else’s. Even if you don’t
make any changes to a pattern, no two handknitted items are the same. I thus
want to encourage knitters to jump into Itty-Bitty Nursery with abandon. Don’t
hesitate to make these patterns your own through your choices. This wonderful
act of baby knitting is an expression of your knitting voice. There is no better
way to send a message of love to a baby.
I have dreamt about a fantastic knitted nursery forever, and so I let my
imagination and needles run wild for this collection. Making lists of every baby-
loving item I could think of, I then knitted them like a tornado until I had enough
projects, and even some extras. The promise of Itty-Bitty Nursery is that you can
knit up an entire nursery with clothes, toys, room adornments, blankets, pillows,
and baby accessories, the type of nursery where we want every baby to live and
grow. Now, even I know that not everyone has time to knit every project offered
here, but this is where your own knitting voice comes into play. Pick the projects
that speak to you, the ones you ooh and aah over, or simply the goodies you are
just itching to start. These are the gifts that will best express your joy and love
for the new baby in your life.
In this collection I have offered a variety of projects for every level of
knitter, including the most inexperienced. There is a chapter that uses only garter
stitch squares, the most basic starting point, to complete a wide variety of
projects that are truly beautiful. For all levels of knitters there are toys for any
age child (as well as adults), lovely blankets, a pure-white layette set, whimsical
pillows that could be used anywhere in the house, a felted bag for Mom, and so
much more. Even my older children are excited about many of these projects.
When selecting the recipient of your next project from Itty-Bitty Nursery, keep
all ages in mind. Many of these designs are not just for babies!
But, of course, all babies deserve a knitted nursery of their own, even if it
contains only one or two knitted items. Knitting is an act of pure love, and who
better to shower this love on than a baby?
Peace, love, and knit for beautiful babies everywhere!