It seemed like such a great idea: a simple, beautiful pattern, combined with some luscious yarn from the stash, would inevitably result in a very special blanket for my sister’s new baby. Perhaps the yarn was a bit too luscious for a baby blanket, but hey, it was machine washable and it was languishing in a storage bin, so what else was I going to do with it? It’s not like they’ve stopped making yarn. Besides, the colour was just too gorgeous to keep in the dark.
Now I’m not so sure.
The yarn is still lovely, but maybe too…shiny for a baby blanket? Perhaps the tonal variations detract from the stitch pattern? Is the whole thing too much of a muchness, or is it just that it’s lace and cables and they always look wonky before blocking? Would my sister even use a lace baby blanket, whether or not it can go in the machine? Won’t the tiny fingers get caught in the holes?
Is it too late to pull out and start again? Am I fussing over nothing? Why is a baby blanket causing these furrows in my brow? If I use all my question marks now, what will I do for the rest of the month?
Is this, in fact, the blanket I want to be making?
This is far too much anxiety for one small blanket.
Pattern: Branch Blanket by Cecily Glowik MacDonald. Yarn: Madelinetosh Pashmina in Saffron
E. Elliott Knits 
Holes for fingers are good. Just not holes big enough for hands to go through! Unless your sister is also a knitter, she won’t be blocking a blanket so it’s a good idea to use a pattern that looks nice even unblocked. Baby blankets get a lot of washing…
If you are worried, why not wash the bit you’ve done, dry it on a radiator or however it is likely to be dried and see how it looks?
The colour looks lush, I bet it feels gorgeous too. I was always thrilled that someone took the time to make anything for my babies. I’m sure your sister would absolutely love anything you made – but it’s nice if you are pleased with it too!
OMG, this is *gorgeous*! I have the same questions whenever I make something for just about anyone, so I’m not sure I can help relieve your anxiety–especially since I haven’t any kids, either. But Jacqui’s point about looking good unblocked makes sense to me unless this is a piece that your sister would keep FOR the baby rather than use immediately and constantly (which I think is fine, too).
If you decide not to gift it to your sister’s child, my address is . . .
I suspect that my brain is just fishing around for an excuse to buy more yarn. This is extra-stupid because a) once I block this bit to see how it looks (an excellent suggestion, thank you Jacqui), it will probably look just fine, and it’s that first blocking that tidies up the stitches, which will help a lot; and 2) if it doesn’t look fine, I already have a backup blanket, which I made for someone else but finished so late that it would’ve been too small for the baby in question. In addition, there’s 3) I’m also making a cardigan and a wee stuffed bunny, so there will be plenty of baby gifts whether or not the blanket works.
I think it’s wonderful. However, if you are still having doubts, I did a baby blanket for a friend a couple of years ago that was slightly lacy but not really. Just an idea in case you really can’t live with the lovely thing you’re making now.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/alpaca-baby-shawl
Machine-washable cashmere? WHAT STRANGE MAGIC IS THIS.
I know! But here’s a weird and wonderful thing about cashmere: it doesn’t felt easily. Depending on the integrity of the yarn, it can go in the washer and the dryer (on delicate), and actually look better for it, as the dryer helps it to bloom. The FO might shrink a little bit, but cashmere is tougher than you’d think.