Baby makes

Blankets are always useful. There are lots of patterns for both knitting and crochet on Ravelry, and you have plenty of time to complete one before November.

You might want to make it with washable yarn, as new parents might not appreciate having to hand wash things when they are busy and tired, but there are lots of possibilities, from complicate heirloom ones to simple cut classic everyday ones.

Congratulations on the impending arrival!

Congratulations Henny2020 that's lovely news. I've knitted and sewn lots of items for my grandchildren but the most special and enduring were the nestling blankets that they were wrapped in as soon as they were born. Basically two layers of soft flannelette fabric about a metre square, patterned on one side (Beatrix Potter prints are lovely) and stitched together with a thin layer of polyester wadding between. I quilted around the patterns to hold the layers together and inserted cotton lace or ric rac between the turned fabric edges. Lovely for keeping the baby warm when having skin to skin contact with Mum

How exciting!
I would suggest a blanket too, but in a crochet stitch without holes which could trap tiny fingers.

There are yarn sales on at the moment and there are lots of free patterns online too.

Some young mums love handmade garments for babies, others don't so a blanket is a safer bet as this will be a winter baby.

Or a patchwork cot quilt if you sew.

I haven't heard of nestling blankets, they sound lovely.

Dribble bibs, like little bandanas, they stop their little chests getting wet.
Cot and pram sheets and be made from larger sheets, brushed cotton is lovely.
Sock monkeys are really easy to make, there are lots of online tutorials.

How about a "taggie blanket" Like this: www.redtedart.com/how-to-make-a-taggie-blanket-easy-sewing-project/?cn-reloaded=1
Or there are other online sites which show you how. Babies love "taggies"!

Lovely ideas - thank you everyone.
@Missfoodlove - I love those little bandana type bibs
@Davida1968 - great idea too!

Ditto to blankets. I made one in squares - a Debbie Bliss pattern in very soft yarn - for Gdc1 and it’s still being used 5 years later for Gdc3. Didn’t know the sex for no. 1 so did it in fairly neutral creams, yellows, blues and greens.

Congratulations!

Before you begin anything, check with the mum, I suggest.

I agree that a blanket, patchwork or other, would be lovely and appropriate if they are in the UK approaching winter. Also easy to hide if you are keeping a secret. though these secrets are hard to hide for long.

I made some mini crochet duffle bags out of crochet cotton and then bought motifs to decorate them. I made different sizes so that they can be stuffed with something as tiny a a dummy, then one for a rattle and one for baby wipes. They hung on pegs in the nursery.