I think the baby sweater and booties is sufficient. A gift from the heart is the greatest gift of all. If it makes you feel better, tie a cute rattle or teething ring to the package.

I think a handmade sweater and booties is far more valuable and appreciated than anything you could buy! I agree that a cute rattle tied to the bow of the package would be nice. I would love to see pictures when you finish the knitting!

That would be nice. I try to give the hooded bath towels and at the last craft fair, I did find a real nice set that was very well made and big enough to last. I used them for months just to wrap the kids up especially at the beach or pool.

The sweater and booties idea is lovely. No, you do not need to provide any other kind of gift.

I think the sweater and booties is very appropriate as a shower gift. Made from your heart and hopefully treasured by the mom to be. I found a handmade sweater in my mom's things after she passed away and it had my name on it. Over 60 years old.
Mary

I am in exactly the same situation - same relationship - baby due end of October. I think your handmade sweater and booties would make a lovely gift - and is certainly sufficient! Probably the only thing I would do is to make them bigger than you would for a newborn. When my husband's niece had a baby I bought a sweater that was for a 24 month old - the baby was big as I expected and the sweater make was such that I knew he would fit into it by age one and I was right. He was born in Jan. and since we live in the snow belt it was perfect. I always wish I knew the sex of the baby to be born. There are cute things for boys but I always manage to see the cutest things for little girls - and of course I did see the perfect little skirt (adorable but functional) but I couldn't buy it - just as well. But said skirt sold out in one day.

Thanks for the opinions, vote of confidence. I always appreciate hand-made gifts, knowing the person spent time and effort on them. Since the baby is due in November, I think I'll make them one year size and do them in Christmas colors. No need for pink-girl, blue-boy colors. I would imagine the mother would save the set as an "heirloom". I do know the baby's grandparents would approve-over the years they have given family members hand-crafted items as gifts.And the idea to add a rattle or other small gift is cute!

Jannie, if you are going to do it in Christmas colors I would make it a size 18 months. Bigger babies wear that size at one year.

Not sure I would do it in Christmas colors. It's too limiting as to when they can be worn. If you pick a white, off white or some pastel color the sweater and booties can be worn by subsequent babies not born around the holidays, too.

First of all find out what she likes, she may not like homemade knitted items.

It seems that when people enjoy doing things, then they immediately go, will knit up, stitch up something and then they go afterwards its not liked, so what you like may not be what the mother will like for her baby.

Today I feel they are so particular and fussy and want certain things or they won't like it.

Way back it seemed you could do all that.

I was surprised when my sil actaully loved my homemade knitting I did for first nephew and one sweater I made extra large he wore for a long time.

So, check or be prepared there might be disppointment coming.

I don't think I'd do Christmas colors, but I would LOVE something handmade....for my baby, and for me!!! :)

Okay, so I won't do Christmas colors. I'll go to Michaels and look for some pretty variegated color sock yarn (because it's soft). I once gave a SIL a hand-knitted sweater for Christmas (for herself,not a baby sweater). She handed it back to me, saying "Sorry, I can't wear this, I'm allergic to yarn, it makes me itch". I was humiliated!

SIL sounds like a jerk. LOL I remember going to a friend's for a bridal shower. She had her wedding gifts on display. One of the gifts was a crocheted afghan and I thought it was the best gift of all. I remember thinking how lucky she was to know someone that could make that for her. That was over fifty years ago and I remember it to this day!

I have to admit, I first thought, the sweater sounds like a lovely gift. And I still do. On the other hand I know I personally didn't use them much. A super soft baby blanket in off white or cream seems like the perfect, usable gift, imo.
I kept the hand made gifts for the kids because I knew they were made from the heart, but I just did not use them much. The hats and blankets were used quite a bit though.
Having said that, you may have the perfect sweater pattern. The heart behind it, means plenty.

I must confess I have never knitted a baby sweater. But, I have knit dozens of baby blankets -- all sort of colors, all sorts of patterns. And every one has been dearly loved by the mothers and babies that received them. The "bonus" to a blanket is that it can be used for years, while a baby will quickly outgrow a sweater.

My preferred yarn for baby blankets is by Plymouth Yarn Co. It's called Dreambaby, is DK weight, comes in LOTS of colors, and is machine washable and machine dryable. It is soooo soft and a pleasure to knit with.

Here is a link that might be useful: Plymouth Yarn Company - Dreambaby DK