Knits for Children

Making Memories by Claudia Quintanilla has been captivating us ever since it arrived at Knit With Attitude. This beautifully put together collection of children's knitting patterns is a handy knitting library essential. Along with Minipom from Pompom you will be fully covered for any new baby or child.

Making Memories contains 25 knits for children, from newborns to 10 year olds. Designs include cardigans, jumpers, blankets, socks and mittens. A mixture of colourwork, cables, textures and lace. Just because they are little knits doesn't mean they can't be interesting.

Minipom has 11 fun designs for babies and children by Lydia Gluck, Meghan Fernandes, Sophie Heathscott, Fiona Alice, Rachel Coopey, Gina Fama Röckenwagner, Toshiyuki Shimada, Kiyomi + Sachiko Burgin. There are new designs plus some familiar Pompom favourites have been sized for children.

I often get asked what is the best yarn for children and babies and nearly everything we stock can be used for children. Though there are a few considerations you can make when choosing a yarn. One of the big ones is care, how easy is the yarn to wash and look after. Another is texture, what does it feel like against the skin. Both of these tend to be the guiding principles when choosing yarn for children's clothes. Young skin is sensitive so you want to choose a yarn that is not too fluffy but instead smooth and easy on the skin. Children are also prone to get messy so a yarn that washes easily is also a must to avoid any complicated and time consuming washing routines. Below I have pulled out a few of my favourites and suggested some patterns from Making Memories and Minipom they would work well for.

First up is Fyberspates Vivacious DK, the perfect yarn for children and babies. Coming in a range of gorgeous variegated 115g skeins. They are a pleasure to knit with and make the simplest of patterns look lovely. A 100% Superwash Merino yarn which is so soft and smooth.

• Care - Made from a superwash merino which has been treated to prevent it felting means it is machine washable at 30° on a wool cycle. Perfect for busy parents. 
• Texture - Merino is one of the softest wool fibres out there. Its great worn next to the most delicate of skins. It insulates but is also breathable.

Fyberspates Vivacious DK would be great for Mini Woodwardia in Minipom, or Oscar in Making Memories.

Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply is the little sister of the DK. With the same fibre composition but a slightly springier twist. It comes in exactly the same range of hand dyed colours as well. A beautifully light yarn which looks great in garments and accessories. Holding the good stitch definition in lace pattern and textural stitches.

• Care - Exactly the same as the DK it is made from a superwash merino which has been treated to prevent it felting meaning it is machine washable at 30° on a wool cycle. 
• Texture - Merino is one of the softest wool fibres out there. Its great worn next to the most delicate of skins. It insulates but is also breathable. There is a slightly springy twist to this yarn which would lend itself to lace work and textured stitches.

Fyberspates Vivacious 4ply would be great for Pinwheel Blanket in Minipom or Claudita in Making Memories.

Another yarn we have over two weights is Coopknits Socks Yeah! First I'll take a look at Coopknits Socks Yeah DK. This merino and nylon blend is just as soft as the Vivacious but it is strengthened with nylon. Hard wearing with a smooth twist. Sold in 50g skeins, which is perfect for little clothes and in a range of solid and slightly mottled colours. I like that the colour range is not primary, but interesting and complex, allowing you to move away from the common 'baby colours'. 

• Care - Easy to care for the Socks Yeah range is designed for socks. But its not only good for socks and can lend itself well to a whole host of projects. Machine washable on a wool cycle at 30°.
• Texture - Being merino it is one of the softest, but blended with nylon it has just that little bit more strength. This doesn't reduce the feel of the yarn though but makes it great for garments that might take a little bit more wear. Perfect for when babies start to crawl.

Coopknits Socks Yeah DK would be great for Little Star in Making Memories or Mini Take Heart in Minipom.

The lighter Coopknits Socks Yeah 4ply is identical to the DK version but is thinner. This light 4ply is of course great for socks but I have knit all sorts with it. Being 50g skeins it is great to add a colour pop to projects or just as nice used on its own. I've knit cardigans for babies and me. The properties below are pretty much the same as above

• Care - Easy to care for the Socks Yeah range is designed for socks. But its not only good for socks and can lend itself well to a whole host of projects. Machine washable on a wool cycle at 30°.
• Texture - Being merino it is one of the softest, but blended with nylon it has just that little bit more strength. This doesn't reduce the feel of the yarn though but makes it great for garments that might take a little bit more wear. Perfect for when babies start to crawl.

Coopknits Socks Yeah 4ply would be great for Mini Shirley from Minipom.

Cotton is a great summery alternative to wool and perfect for those who are irritated by animal fibres. Quince and Co Whimbrel is a worsted weight 100% Organic Cotton.

• Care - Machine washable on a gentle cold cycle, dry flat.
• Texture - Whimbrel is sourced from high-quality, responsibly grown organic cotton. The fiber's long staple length yields a deliciously soft yarn with a hint of pretty sheen. A sturdy fibre that has no problems being next to the skin.

Quince and Co Whimbrel would be good for an easy to care for Truffle from Minipom.

Quince and Co Willet is the lighter version of Whimbrel with all of the same great qualities. Being a sport weight you will get a slightly lighter fabric, perfect for summer.

• Care - Machine washable on a gentle cold cycle, dry flat.
• Texture - Whimbrel is sourced from high-quality, responsibly grown organic cotton. The fiber's long staple length yields a deliciously soft yarn with a hint of pretty sheen. A sturdy fibre that has no problems being next to the skin.

Quince and Co Willet would be great for Mini Battenberg from Minipom or Piscucha from Making Memories.

The Fibre Co Amble is plump blend of merino, alpaca and recycled nylon. Not only does this make this yarn sturdy but also really soft.

• Care - Machine washable on a wool cycle at 30º.
• Texture - The fibre combination of alpaca and merino makes a yarn that is so soft and warm, it has a springy twist which would be great for textured stitches.

The Fibre Co Amble would be great for Galicia in Making Memories.

That is just a hand full of possibilities but there are many more. If you ever need help substituting yarns with any yarns we stock feel free to drop us an email or visit us in the shop.

Both Making Memories and Minipom have some great designs inside so have a browse through in our online shop or pop in and take a look though the books yourself, you are bound to find some inspiration.