Over the years I’ve been asked, “How do I continue working in pattern while doing the following shaping: dec every other row 10 times?” for example. This question comes up most often about lace patterns, and my answer is usually, “Well, you just have to look at it and make a decision on every decrease row as to what looks best.”
More than once, over the years, I’ve been asked, “How do I ‘Continue to work in pattern’ while decreasing every other row 10 times,” for example, or while binding off a certain number of stitches over X number of rows. This question comes up most often about lace patterns, and my answer is usually, “Well, you just have to look at it and make a decision on every decrease row as to what looks best.”
Raglan shaping in lace patternThe process is more involved than that, but not by much. This swatch is a prop for a video-in-progress that explains in detail how I approached this problem and it’s knitted from an actual pattern sent to me by Kim with whom I had an SOS session to discuss it (and I was able to admire her knitting projects in London, England while sitting here on my little island in the Pacific Northwest of the US. It’s magic, I tell you).
But there’s a problem. For me. And it has to do with babies and lace. That combination can be dangerous.
Thus, I am on the horns of a dilemma. I want to help Kim figure out how to make this baby sweater, but I don’t think it’s a good idea in general to make lace things for babies, even though they are darling.
Knowing my tendency to overreact to things like this I decided to consult an expert, Paula. She’s not only an excellent knitter, she’s a retired nurse. Here’s my email to her.
Hi Paula,
I have this belief that having lace holes in baby sweaters or blankets can be dangerous if the holes are just the right size for a baby . . . even up to a curious toddler, to stick their fingers through as they fall asleep, for example. I’ve seen a couple of photos of strangled little blue fingers. Am I just being paranoid and unreasonable? If it’s for a baby that’s “supervised” e.g. taken for a ride in a stroller or buggy (do they even have those anymore?) that would be more OK because you’re basically there to catch something like that..
You’re the best nurse knitter I know. Watcha think?
And thanks bunches,
Cheryl
And her answer:
Hi Cheryl!
Funny you should ask about this as I just had a conversation with a new grandmom (also a nurse) about this very thing. We both agree that no holes are best for baby blankets.
She and I remember a baby that came in to the ER with a swollen, dusky great toe and it was suspected that she got it tangled in a crocheted blanket. Since then, I’ve been in the no-hole camp!
My friend’s daughter received a crocheted blanket in a large granny square style for a shower gift. She keeps it in the car for a carseat blanket. She likes the knitted ones best and feels they are safer and they are used all the time!
Happy to lend my perspective!
Your knitting buddy and biggest fan!
Paula
There are, of course, occasions when lace for babies is fine as long as the baby is being admired the whole time she or he is wearing it. There’s nothing as breathtaking as a long, knitted lace christening gown, for example. I guess I’m just urging people to use common sense.
So there you have it. You have been informed and now I can go ahead with that video and treat it strictly as a technical knitting problem.
***AND AS A BONUS*** Here’s more useful and fascinating information from Paula:
An interesting note… The most common cause of tourniquet effect of baby digits is mom’s long hair! Especially if it’s light colored and difficult to see! I’ve not seen it personally but it’s been seen in my ER on several occasions. Little rascals!
P.S. I don’t have any advice on keeping toddlers from putting things in their noses. There’s something about a nostril that seems too inviting to little boys, especially.
P.P.S. Please comment below if you think I’m totally off-base or know of a circumstance in which this happened. I’m interested in how other people react to this.
I am crocheting a blanket for my teacher baby, it is made in a large granny square style. The holes are small enough that there will be no risk of strangulation but big enough that little toes and fingers can’t get stuck( I was able to stick my fingers in without getting stuck) is this save for the baby or should I hold off on giving it to her?
I can’t make that decision for you. When I talked to several nurses on this they mentioned “twisting” as a problem. Finger or toe through hole, hand twisting or tossing and turning, hole gets tight. Personally, I wouldn’t gift it but the decision is yours.
I have thought to mount the knitted adult size baby blanket so it may hang on the wall of the nursery with a note on the back about using as an adult.
When my daughter was small and wore footed pajamas, she woke screaming and inconsolable until we took her out of the pajamas and found her toes stuck in the worn lining fabric. All was well, but a scary few moments. Could easily been much worse.
It’s amazing how many of these stories I’m hearing. Good idea about the hanging adult blanket with a note.
Stories you’re hearing. Not any actual news reports though, right?
I consulted a retired nurse/expert knitter who told me her personal experiences and those of her colleagues. A story doesn’t have to be “in the news” to be true.
I remember 40+ years ago when I was prepping for my first baby, I bought those ordinary vests and crocheted some lacy edges. Nothing too loose just one row of blanket stitch and a row of picot, which really enhanced the clothing. The thing was I had crocheted a nice little cord to make a bow. To my horror I just pictured that string in a tangle and cut them off and replaced them with tiny buttons and a very tiny loop.
Ever since, I neither crochet or knit any lacy things for babies.
I agree with you and Paula and I thank you for helping get the word out! My daughter, now nearly 34, had trouble sleeping one night. I did and checked everything I could to no avail. The next morning, while changing her footed sleeper, I found a string wrapped around her big toe. Thankfully, there was no permanent damage!
Wow Beth. That must have been frightening.
This is prompting a long forgotten memory about a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in a big city in the mid-Atlantic. Twenty years ago my preemie (really preemie — born at 24 weeks weighing 640 grams, about a pound and a half) was in the NICU for four months, then came home at what we felt was a whopping five pounds. Preemie hats and blankies came into the NICU from generous knitters but none of them were lace. As a sometime knitter who was living in the NICU on thin air and no sleep powered by hope I was surprised that the thought popped into my head one long night about why no lace, so everywhere in baby patterns? I asked the head NICU nurse and she just said “too much blue”. As a NICU mother I knew exactly what that meant. I had seen my own baby dusky blue one horrible night when she self-extubated and knew that was something I never ever wanted to see again, on any baby. I think it’s important to say that these babies were in incubators, never really out of sight of a nurse, doctor or parent. I think it’s safe to say that if those so-intently-watched babies shouldn’t have lace, no baby should. And the thought strikes that having lace around babies of watchful parents is one thing but when that baby item goes to the charity shop will the next parent know as much or be as watchful?
Wow Ellen! That must have been a hugely challenging time for you . . . and after hearing these stories I am more and more convinced that baby things should not involve small holes . . . ever.
Well said!!
I am mother of three and Gram of 1 beautiful 7 month old. I too, say no lace!
😍
Along those lines, I think it’s probably a good thing to make sure your no-holes project also avoids pet hair…I got a lovely round crocheted ‘baby rug’ from my sister-in-law for my first baby & upon closer inspection it was prolly 10% dog hair. I laugh about it now, but it was pretty gross. And she had no idea! 🙂
Oh no!! 😀 You mean it wasn’t intentional? I know some people spin their dog’s hair though it’s not a common practice. It does sound kind of gross, but not everyone would think that.
As long as it is clean, any animal hair should be OK… ( cat is a bit short staple though…LOL!)
I’m a mama to a 7yr old and a 4yr old. I’ve just finished up providing in home daycare for babies under 2yrs. And before kids I was a paediatric then a general practice nurse. For me lace has always been fine in a special occasion capacity. Both my kids have gorgeous lace shawls their Grandma made them but they were NEVER a daily use item. And for a lot of those old beautiful lacey patterns they were never intended as such. They were designed for wearing to church, social gatherings, walks into town etc. Short wear and close supervision settings.
Day to day knits, in my opinion, need to be solid knits with plain round buttons!! I know the cute shaped buttons are adorable but they often have sharp edges or corners which can damage both the little wearer and your beautiful work (star shaped buttons on a squirming infants cardigan, I still shudder at the memory).
Thanks for sharing your experience Marlena, and I second the call for plain old round buttons.
It is a dilemma for sure. We can’t let the beauty and the skills die because of this concern. Education of the recipient about the dangers possible is a must. Might I add that informing the recipient that the item is to be used under supervision only is also a must. We as fiber artists also have a duty to know if the recipient is capable of adhering to the warnings. If not, decline the request, or choose a solid pattern instead.
Yes lace is so darling but dangerous for babies. Precious knits verse precious baby. Not a hard decision. With that said we still will appreciate the video, do to adult sweaters. Most people will come across the same issue for delicate knits.
Thank you Cheryl
Moot hers tend to think “cute” when making a gift. But safety rarely.
The hole concept might apply to those with moderately severe memory loss, but not 100% sure. As a lose end might provide the temptation to pulll on it and unravel it because they have “forgotten” that this is a blanket and not a fun thing to do. A bit far out but possibly.
The pattern is absolutely gorgeous!!
I too am a retired pediatric nurse. I couldn’t agree more with you Cheryl! I spent the last 17 years working with patients in their homes, and the first thing I do on a new case, is to “case the joint” for safety issues. I can’t remember how many times I found knitted blankets that had a lace pattern, and I had to explain the dangers to the baby’s mother… and despite the fact that a favorite aunt had made the blanket especially for her, it was dangerous to use in the crib. I always suggested that they put it up and only use it on special occasions…
Yes, lace and children do not go together!
Thank you so much for sharing your expertise with all of us Sharleen. It’s one thing for me to have a few anecdotes lifted from the internet, but I so appreciate the input of you and Paula and other nurses who have real experience with these things.
My daughter is almost 57 yo and it was from knitting her the mittens that are attached by a cord and go around the neck and one mitten into each sleeve of the coat – that I realized to never make them again.
My daughter was going to college in Buffalo so she was an adult.
But I realized that those types of mittens attached to a ‘cord’ are NOT meant for babies and toddlers and young children who go to playgrounds, etc.
From that time I never make anything for babies with the lacy holes and never attach buttons or sequins to toy faces and sweaters.
Then, of course, nothing is 100% safe – eagle eyes must watch diligently.
I do not agree that all lacy projects are not suitable for babies. There have been so many changes in the last 50 years as to what we should and should not be doing for babies. Most of the older mothers will tell you that they laid babies on their backs, covered them with fairly heavy blankets with lovely satin bindings and put them in cribs with the bars too far apart (by today’s standards). Yes, there are accidents, but parents who are watchful check on the little ones frequently. Each generation will have different safety standards. Lacy items were meant for daytime and when the baby was actually in the sight of someone responsible. Now, cocoons are being ‘banned’, not feeding solids until 1 yr., and many other ‘better for baby’ ideas. Parents just need to use good judgement.
I agree about no lace for babies and definately no ribbon ties. A lot of the lacy jackets and bootees come with ribbon threaded through the holes as ties. Very dangerous. Have seen little babies with the ribbon in their mouths and some little blue feet as a result of tying them too tight .
I agree with the special occasions only proviso.
I am highly cautious about thin tight things wrapping around fingers and toes.
Especially after my oldest daughter almost lost a toe as a baby because a hair had wrapped around the toe and was causing loss of circulation. Fortunately I discovered it before serious damage had resulted!
Wow! We’re grateful for that!
I think that Pom Poms should be added to the “not on baby things” list, too.
I hadn’t thought of that!
I knit baby blankets for a charity group that provides a complete layette for newborns. The number one instruction is NO LACEY patterns. I hadn’t thought much about this before getting involved but certainly makes sense. There are so many great patterns to chose from plus so much warmer I’ve had great fun.
Hi Cheryl,
I always say…’Better safe than sorry”
Hello All,
The notion of no holes (knit or crochet) in baby blankets seems like common sense to me. When my children were babies many years ago, they wore heavy weight onesies (with feet) at night in the cold weather. Perhaps many of you have seen those sleep sacks that are very popular. Our daughter uses (d) them with our grandsons and they come in light to heavier weight sacks. No reason to use blankets for babies and toddlers/young children when there is so much available these days. My daughter asked me to crochet a blanket for one of the boys. Happy to make one but I am going to make one that he will use when he grows up.
Hi Cheryl,
Strangely enough it was only last year I had the same dilemma. The pattern I liked the most was a loose knit, it also suited the baby wool I was using, but my instincts were to not risk making it. Which reminds me…I never did do anything with that wool. I’ll take a look at your lace tutorial and see if it inspires me to get the wool back out, maybe I’ll make myself a summer top instead – thanks.
I agree Cheryl. No holes for babies. Many years ago I had seen a picture of a baby that almost lost a toe from having a thread from the inside of his sock wrap around and strangle the toe. Scary and preventable. Funny that you mentioned things in noses. Both my children put objects in, My daughter a stone that resulted in an ER visit and my son a bead that I was able to extract as it had a hole in it.
Hi Cheryl,
Thanks for the email. I totally agree with you about the holes in the fabric for a baby. I did not give it much thought until i read this blog. It makes so much sense, I can easily see the harm that can been done it a child’s finger get tangle up, that it gave me goose bumps. Thank you for bringing attention this issue.
You are so welcome Shirley, and thanks for commenting.
There may be some truth to what you say, but I have to disagree with you — to a certain extent.
ANY kind of fabric, no matter how it is made, CAN get caught in tiny baby fingers. That is just what babies do! Even weaving will get caught!!
The only exception is very, very fine yarns, or something woven or knit at a very tight gauge, so there is no space at all to get anything into anything! That does not make for a soft fabric for babies.
So what to do? Don’t fret over it. I have looked after a lot of babies, and I have yet to see one of them get any fingers caught in any knitting, or any weaving! I suppose it does happen sometimes, somewhere, but hasn’t yet with any of mine! I guess I was lucky!
I use stocking knit only for day-to-day baby items. I hadn’t considered the safety factor before. I’ve always kept extra yarn for repairing holes on items caught in strollers and doors.
Good discussion. I agree, no lace for babies/toddlers unless they are supervised. There are so many pretty yarns and stitches to make closed, safe designs.
P.S. My son (now 26) still gets teased about putting peas in his nose when he was 1; don’t think my husband will ever forget how terrified he was.
I know a little guy who spent the afternoon in the ER waiting to get a lego pulled out of his nose. His older brother told me about it and he was quite upset to have the news get out. 😀
Babies are not the only ones vulnerable to strangled digits. The very elderly, who often have afghans or crocheted items can do the same. Diabetics are also very vulnerable to mysterious strands strangling toes. A long strand of hair that can encircle a digit or loose thread are dangerous to any toe.
Good point Mary!
My mother told me that she had to extract half a dozen WHOLE Kleenex type tissues from one nostril when I was a toddler one time. I mean I know sinuses are huge but good grief, I have no idea how I managed that, it makes my eyes water now just thinking about it!
You are correct!! Peas are one of the worst things a kid can get into! They should be banned!! I know of so many children being hurt by peas, and not by knitting. Peas should never even be put on a plate in front of a kid!! That is child abuse!!
😀 😀 My kid loved peas, by the way. “Peas Pweez” was one of his favorite mealtime chants. Frozen ones that had been thawed but not cooked further.
My housemate started eating still frozen peas as a snack as a child and even now, he will still sometimes half fill a cup with them and eat them straight from the freezer cold.
I also agree about the holes in knit and crochet wear are not for babies. When I also was nursing in 1974, we had a new born come in to emergency with its head caught in a large eyelet of knitted lace. It was a shawl great grandma had made. That baby nearly died. Rob…
Oh my gosh Robyn!!! How frightening. And that must have been a very large eyelet indeed!
I agree with no big spaces when I knit or crochet I use the baby finger method if my baby finger can slip in easily then I go down a size in needles. Think of the little toes. Especially blankets as many parents do cover the baby with is or put them in the crib.
Knit lace baby items are beautiful to look at but not safe for little fingers and toes. There are so many pretty knit/purl patterns that can be used instead of lace that it’s better to be safe and use a “non-lace” pattern.
I get the lace for baby quandry. My thoughts are any lacy things should only be used when the baby is under supervision. And aren’t they under supervsion most of the time? Isn’t the current thing that babies not be put to sleep with any blankets, right? So a lacy blanket is OK for when you are playing together, baby is being carried around, etc. Not to be used when you leave the baby.
Interesting Mirl. That very well might be the current belief. They are under supervision most of the time, I think, when they’re awake, but I’m still hesitant to mix the two.
I agree – we should have no holes in knitting baby items. (And I also know that babies getting long hair wrapped round fingers or toes is a real problem! A ER medic mentioned it to me recently, as having almost cost an infant some of its toes. Babies’ fingers and toes should be regularly checked for that.)
Thanks Cecilia. It’s turning out that this is a much more common occurrence than I thought.
Knit lace baby items are beautiful to look at but not safe for little fingers and toes. There are so many pretty knit/purl patterns that can be used instead of lace that it’s better to be safe and use a “non-lace” pattern.
I am solidly in the ‘no holes’ camp. That said, I regularly use baby blanket patterns for lap blankets for adults and get to use those lovely lacy patterns without concern. I’ve seen this issue often, but safety is paramount. Thanks for starting the conversation.
PS. Please regularly check the toes of baby’s sleeper for long threads that can tangle around baby’s toes. First hand experience that ended well because mom (my cousin) was attentive and acted quickly.
Oh wow Maureen!!! Of course long threads can tangle around those little kicking feet, though I never thought of it before. Thank you for that. And it’s a great idea to use the patterns for lap blankets.
Hi Cheryl,
I think you are right saying that you should never make lace blankets for babies. There are other stitches also beautifull for making baby things.
Warm woolly regards,
Dona (from Belgium)
<3 Thanks Dona. xoxo
Hi Cheryl,
Great article, just in time for my first grandchild.
Now I know what is good for them.
A knitted ones will be.
Thanks.
Thank you Lady!! You have made it worth writing the article.
Hi Cheryl
I have, sitting on top of my printer a baby hat and coat that has NO HOLES OR LACE. I have for years, made things for babies that have no holes or lace for this very reason. They get their litle digits hung up in them and once they get frustrated and can’t get loose, bad thing happen. You are not nuts. Those of use who make this stuff have to be careful. If I do make something of that kind it is to be given to them when they are MUCH older…as in grown up and it will be large enough to put on their beds. Stephanie Pearl McPhee does this. Her baby blankets feature lace edgings but the blankets are HUGE and can easily cover a queen size bed. The blankets are given to the recipient’s parents and pictures are taken but I suspect the blanket gets put away for the child when he or she is old enough to appreciate it.
That’s a great idea Barb! I generally make larger blankets for babies as well and mostly garter stitch. I still have my baby blanket that my mom made for me. It has a deep lace edging but the center garter stitch panel is quite large.
I have seen the “lace for babies” problem mentioned several times on knitting forums and have wondered if there was anything to it. Seems there is. Very timely since I am about to start a baby blanket.
It’s a minor danger I think, in that it’s not a common occurrence, but I won’t do a lacy baby blanket . . . a sweater, maybe, but I wouldn’t let the baby wear the sweater for a nap.