Well....that depends. First of all will you be knitting or crocheting? Crochet takes on an average 1/3 more yardage than knit to make the same size square. Secondly what will your gauge be....that is the number of stitches to the inch? That is determined by the size of the needle you use and the weight of the yarn. Once you figure out those things, you can find a pattern that uses the same gauge you plan on using and see what yardage of yarn they recommend, then use that figure for your baby blanket. If you are just doing a fairly simple blanket without fringe or add on crocheted flowers and the like you should be able to get by for about 500 yards of worsted weight yarn. Do you do Ravelry? There are a bazillion of adorable patterns there....for all sorts of wonderful things! Here is a link that might be useful: ravelry

Thank you all for your comments and helpful hints!! We went to Michaels a few days ago and she got to pick out her own hook (5.5mm) and her own yarn (Bernat satin in Flamingo). I showed her how to do a chain and a few ways to hold the yarn....I'd forgotten just how much coordination is required!! She quickly realized that she could make bracelets, hair adornments and little belts if she had a long enogh chain. Well, that motivated her. The next morning before breakfast and kindergarten at 7am, I found her quietly sitting in a corner trying to pull that silly yarn through the loop in what looks to me to be the most awkward way...but it works for her! Since then, she's taken her special little bag along on car trips and during quiet times at home to cast on a few more loops on her chain. She doesn't want any help right now with learning the "proper way" to hold the hook or yarn, so I'm just going to let her go at it. I'm soooo happy to have a little crocheter!!!

I am a crocheter - did some knitting but never took the time to perfect it. Crocheting seems to go faster but uses more yarn. I rather spend money on the yarn and finish sooner! You could use a very simple stitch I am currently using the Sweet Stripes for a baby blanket so I guess it depends on the colors you selected if it is too babyish. If you bought the Splash - blue/green combo I think you are fine. I think the blue/white should be OK but the others signal "baby" to me (maybe others think differently). Another option is using Homespun from LionBrand since it is very soft yarn and a mixture of colors to add some richness to the scarf. They have some patterns for "short" scarves using only one skien and a few others also. Check their site and they also have instructions posted on how to knit/crochet. There is one major drawback for a new knitter/crocheter in using either sweet stripes or homespun - they are a curly/wavy type of yarn and it is harder to distinguish where the stitch actually is. I think a smooth yarn is easier for a beginner and would suggest using a sport weight if you want a light, softer scarf. A solid color is easier to work with for a beginner but the Bernat Softee Baby in Baby Denim Marls has just a hint of color so it is easy enough to work with. I like the His Jeans Ombre but even ombres are harder for beginners. Guess it really depends on whether you have a live resource to help you if you get stuck. Keep the first one simple and then build up your skills.

Well, I have been home from work for 3 days now. I had hoped to go in tomorrow, but who am I kidding? The cast they have me in is not a full cast, but rather a sort of trough, but it goes from just below my shoulder all the way to my knuckles. My job entails a huge amount of time at the keyboard and the only thing I can do with my left hand is to lay the outside of my ring finger on the keyboard to hold down the shift or tab key when appropriate. I'd say that cuts my speed by at least 80%, not to mention that even that hurts the muscles in that arm. I can't believe how long the days are with nothing much to do. I've watched lots of television and done some reading. I was a bad girl and decided to try knitting. I managed to get a couple of rows done on a sock using the throwing method, but DH caught me and gave me a little lecture about possibly doing some permanent damage. But I was done after those couple of row, it just hurt too much. I can't take a shower and even a bath is difficult. The short time that have to hold the arm up to wash my underarms and chest area just about makes me cry. On the other hand, I don't have to do any dishes, and DH is doing all of the cooking (I get to help with menu planning and technical advice). I have an appointment on Monday with Orthopedics and I'll let you know how that goes. It looks like I will miss one entire paycheck, which is going to make things even tighter than usual. I'm hopeful that I'll be compensated for lost wages, but I suspect it will be some time before that happens.