Great gifties for new humans (and one for anyone!)

As some of you who know me or read our newsletter may know, I am expecting my first child later this month.  (I am so excited - a little apprehensive, but still really thrilled to meet this little person who's been kicking me for the last few months.)  Steve and I have been taking a seven week birth and childcare class which has three other couples in it, and I've been wanting to make the whole class some little gifts, but as usual, I am low on time and cash, and the last class is this Tuesday, so I came up with three quick, inexpensive little projects - and they came out so cute, I thought it would be lovely to offer them up to you.  I did all three this weekend, and still had time for a slumber party, three loads of laundry, an easy hike and shopping trip with my mom, and lots of zoning out and watching my belly shift from side to side, just to give you a sense of how really quick these are. 

Project 1:  The Fabulous Flannel Burpcloth.
This is so very simple, and as anyone who has ever been around a newborn will tell you - you cannot have too many burpcloths. 

You'll need:
2 fat quarters of flannel in coordinating prints or solids - a half yard of each will give you enough for 2.
Thread
All the usual sewing gear - rotary cutter, mat, scissors, sewing machine, etc.

1. Iron your two flannel FQs and place them right sides together - trim them up so all edges match - I trimmed mine down to 20" by 17".  
2. Stitch them together, using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving an opening of about 3" on one side for turning them right sides out.

3. Clip away the corners - this will make getting neat square corners really easy.  Turn them right sides out, run a point turner or even a chopstick along all the edges and into the corners, and press nice and flat. 

4. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, topstitch all the way around.

5. Have some ice cream. (That's what I like to do, and since you've finished your burpcloth already, you might as well join me. Pickles, as side dish, not as topping, are totally optional.)

Project 2:  The Microwaveable Heating Pillow -
While I am giving these to help with labor back pains, they are great little quick gifts for almost anyone.  I have family friends who order a few of these every holiday from me, for aching muscles, chills, or even taking with them out to the car on snowy days to ward off the shivers while they wait for the heater to kick in.

You'll need:
Two 10" by 13" pieces of coordinating flannel. ( I picked up two 3/8 yd pieces, which is enough to make four)
Thread
A few pounds of uncooked rice
All that sewing paraphernalia again

1. Place your flannels right sides together, and trim up the edgs so they match nicely.
2. Stitch them together, using a 1/2" seam allowance and leaving an opening of about 3" on one side for turning them right sides out.
3. Clip away the corners - this will make getting neat square corners really easy. Turn them right sides out, run a point turner or even a chopstick along all the edges and into the corners, and press nice and flat.
4. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, topstitch around the three edges that are completely stitched.
5. Fill your bag about 2/3 of the way with rice - using a funnel makes this nice and neat.  Pin the open edges closed.
6. Using a 1/4" seam allowance, topstitch along that last open edge.
7. Stick it in the microwave and test to see about how long it takes to heat, so you can give directions.  Mine heated up in about 3 minutes, 30 seconds, and that was snuggly warm.  Make a little label for the bag to pin on, letting them know approximately how long it will take to heat. 
8. Go take a nap with the toasty warm pillow - you deserve it, after being so sweet as to make everyone presents, and you're done sewing, so what else is there to do?  Unless you like to knit, in which case, its time to get started on:

Project 3: Cozy Quick Baby Socks
These are simple, sweet little socks - if you are a knitter, you could easily make up a half dozen pairs in different colors and put them in a candy box for a shower gift that will be memorable and appreciated.  If you have not attempted socks before, this gives you a chance to try out the basic techniques without starting a major new project - just dip your toes in! 

You'll need:
DK weight yarn - I'm not sure of exact yardage - I used Debbie Bliss's Rialto, which is a wonderful soft 100% Merino and is superwash, which means it can be machine washed without worrying about it, and after three pairs, I still had about a third of a 196 yd ball left - so probably about 50 yards per pair.
Size 3 double pointed needles
A smallish yarn needle to close up the toe and work in ends.

Cast on 24 stitches onto 3 needles. 
Ribbing: Knit 2, Purl 2 - 6 rows
Leg: Knit all the way around, 9 rows
Next row - knit 12 stitches onto one needle, then turn.
Heel flap -
Row 1: Slip one, then purl to the end of row, turn.
Row 2 - Slip one, then knit to the end of row, turn.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 till you have 12 rows on heel flap, finishing with a knit row.
Turning the heel:
Row 1: Slip 1, purl 6, purl next two stitches together, purl one stitch, and turn, leaving last 2 stitches unworked.
Row 2: Sl 1, knit 3, knit next two stitches together, knit one stitch, then turn, leaving last two stitches unworked.
Row 3: Sl 1, Purl 4, purl next two stitches together, purl 1, and turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, Knit 5, knit next two stitches together, knit one, and pick up and knit 7 stitches along the slipped stitch edge. Knit the next 12 stitches onto one needle, then, with another needle,  pick up and knit 7 stitches along the other slipped stitch edge, continuing on to knit the first four stitches off of your first needle.  You should now have 11 stitches on your first needle, 12 on your second, and another 11 on the third. All future rows begin at the first stitch on the first needle.
Decreasing the heel:
Row 1 - Knit to the last three stitches on needle 1, knit next two stitches together, knit last stitch. Knit all stitches on needle 2. Knit first stitch on needle 3, then slip next two stitches, then knit slipped stitches together.  Knit all remaining stitches.
Row 2: Knit all stitches.
Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until you have only 6 stitches on needle 1 and 3 (24 stitches total). 
Instep: Knit for 6 rows.
Closing the toe:
Row 1: knit to last three stitches on needle 1, knit two stitches together, then knit last stitch on needle 1.  Knit first stitch on needle 2, slip next two stitches, then knit slipped stitches together, knit to the last three stitches on needle 2, knit two together, knit last stitch on needle 2.  Knit first stitch on needle 3, slip next two stitches, then knit slipped stitches together, knit to end of row. 
Row 2 - Knit all stitches.
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have 16 stitches altogether. Knit Row 1 one more time, (12 stitches remain) then do final row: Needle 1: Knit 2 together, knit one. Needle 2: Knit one, slip next two then knit slipped stitches together, knit two stitches together, knit one. Needle 3: Knit one, slip two stitches and knit two slipped stitches together. (8 stitches remain.)
Finish closing toe with kitchener stitch, or just do what I call a bellybutton closure - leaving all stitches on needles, run tail of yarn though all stitches twice, remove needles, and pull tight, making a neat little bellybutton at the toe.
Now start over from cast-on instructions, as the vast majority of babies are born with two feet. 

As a new mommy-to-be, I can testify that I would love any or all of these three gifts - try making them for someone you love (or just work with) today!

 - Anna-Beth