My mom taught me to knit when I was 6 years old, but I found myself taking up needles again in my forties after discovering what a wonderful pastime it is for me. I wanted to knit for my children and found great satisfaction in creating home made things for them.

I absolutely love knitting baby items! They're faster to work up, color options are numerous and babies are easy to please! I also love working with cotton and cotton blends. Cotton is a nice, cool, breathable fabric for my sunny state of Florida. We don't have long winters, but the cool days we do have are very cool.

For this Cotton Baby Bunting, I used Lion Brand "Cotton Ease". It's a 50% cotton and 50% acrylic blend and comes in an array of fantastic colors! This bunting only took 2 and a half skeins of 3.5 oz "Berry" and I trimmed it in Cotton Ease "Taupe". I modified the pattern from a regular cardigan. You may use any sweater pattern as a matter of fact; just lengthen the bottom and omit button panels. I hand-sewed the zipper in place using even, wide stitches; it wasn't as hard as I thought it would be. Be sure to pin, pin, pin! The trim was crocheted with a picot stitch and the rest was knit in stockinette stitch using my favorite needle size....7......and favorite needle material...bamboo. I chose a bigger size for a newborn to allow the baby to wear it fully clothed. The cap was fun and fast using the same picot trim and a knotted top chord for whimsy. A favorite book is "The Yarn Girl's Guide to Kid Knits". This book contains basic instructions and various basic sweaters and caps for both girls and boys.

This project is very affordable to make. I am giving this bunting as a gift to a sweet baby girl born only 6 days ago. I wouldn't do the crochet picot trim for a boy.....perhaps leave the edges "curly" ofr a snug ribbing. Gotta hurry and give it before our short winter is over!

Ana from Florida