Skip to main content Peeking behind the curtain: Food and marketing industry research supporting digital media marketing to children and adolescents Last March, at Edinburgh Yarn Fest, I spotted Anna Elliott wearing a great hat (Anna has many great hat designs). She’d knitted this particular hat in Buachaille shades squall and furze and it was really striking. In its bold, graphic simplicity it immediately reminded me of the mid-century ceramics that had inspired Anna to create it. I loved the hat, and asked Anna if she was thinking of creating a pattern. I’m very pleased to say that she’s now done so, added a pair of mitts using the same motifs, and an alternate colourway. The haar / hedder version is a slouchy hat with fold-up brim, and fluffy pompom, while the furze / squall version is neater and more beanie-like. The pattern is written for two sizes. The mitts, meanwhile, feature shaped thumbs and deep ribbing for a snug fit around the hand and wrists and the pattern is also written in two sizes.

Anna’s design is fittingly called Offbeat, includes instructions for both hats and mitts, and you can find it here on Ravelry. I love Anna’s design, and I thought it would be nice to pop some Offbeat kits in the shop too. The kits come in both colourways, and both style options (with the pompom version involving one more skein of yarn). The kit price represents around a 10% discount on buying the yarn separately, and includes a free KDD project bag in which to store your knitting. If purchasing the kit, you’ll need to buy and download Anna’s pattern separately. Congratulations on creating this fantastic design, Anna!Edit ArticleHow to Design a Baby Nursery Five Parts:Focusing on the essentialsDesigning the nurseryAdding design elementsAdding the nursery furnitureChoosing final touchesCommunity Q&A Decorating a nursery (the baby's bedroom) doesn't need to be costly, difficult or picture-perfect. While there are many decisions to make, they're all very manageable and simple.

This is a time of life when you're about to welcome a new and wonderful life into the house and it is important to view creating the nursery as a fun creative process that is totally yours to control rather than imposing any harsh expectations on yourself. Baby will love whatever you do! Give yourself time and freedom. If it's possible, try to plan well before the birth. This luxury isn't open to every new parent but if you do have time, starting early can ease your concerns about having too much to do. In terms of freedom, realize that there is no one right way to design a nursery other than ensuring that it is safe, warm and healthy. Decorative elements are completely up to you and you can have as much or as little in the nursery as you wish. While it's fun to use sites like Pinterest to create a dreamboard nursery, be realistic. Time, financial and space constraints will end up dictating a lot of what you're able to do in the end; use your photos as general inspiration rather than absolute must-haves.

Consider childproofing needs throughout the design and assembling process. invader zim curtainsThis is the primary concern and the one thing on which you cannot compromise.blackwatch plaid curtainsIt's easy to want the best for the baby, and for some parents that may include providing a beautiful, new, well-coordinated nursery, but remember that it won't matter to the baby whether the area rug matches with the curtains. ikea adelaide curtain rodsStains are a fact of life, so focus on buying things that are functional first, beautiful second. swish curtain track system connectors

When the baby spits up and has accidents, you want to focus on the child, not on how those sheets you spent so much money on are ruined.ready made curtains loughborough Bear in mind that baby is only a baby for a short space of time. fly curtains for doors argosIt may not feel like it now, but over-blowing the budget on baby gear and gadgets isn't really the best idea. white eyelet shower curtain targetSave your pennies for the growing child, who will cost you considerably more than baby. In this same vein, do not be ashamed to accept heirlooms and hand-me-downs. For example, a crib that gets passed around the family is great, provided it has been checked for safety prior to each use. Measure the room and write the measurements on a small card you can carry in your wallet.

You will need these measurements when you go shopping for furniture, paint, etc. And if you happen to see something nice at a flea market you did not expect to visit, you can reach into your pocket for the measurement information. Consider putting the crib close to the entrance so that you don't have to walk around things or risk tripping over something when you come for the baby in the middle of the night. Avoid putting the crib right next to the window, where there might be drafts. Never place a crib near anything that dangles, like curtain or blind trimmings, as the baby can get caught up in these and choke. Put the changing table close to the crib. When the baby has wet accidents, you don't want to carry him or her across the room. If there is a window, think about putting the rocking chair or glider next to it so you can look outside. You could also get yourself a nice comfortable rocking recliner. By this window, make sure to get some contrasting curtains that go with the wall color to protect the baby from any bright light.

Add a block out blind to help your baby sleep well during the day if the sun shines directly into the window. Estimate how much storage you'll need, and create twice as much. The baby will accumulate more items than you may think. Do not place any shelving above the crib, where either the shelving or the things on the shelves might jostle and fall onto the baby. Choose the near-bedtime lighting. Work out a color scheme. Select a baby crib. Find baby nursery furniture to complement your crib.It's time for that great baby nursery shopping spree you've been waiting for. Choose a mural, picture, and bedding. Buy stuff, sew stuff, glue stuff. Assemble the furniture in the nursery, if possible, so you don't have any issues with large items not fitting through the doorway. Let the room come alive. Remember to add essential equipment to your baby nursery: A baby monitor to know when your baby gets upset. Diapers, wipes, ointment, burp cloths, receiving blankets, backup outfits, and a toy or two in or near the changing table.

Garbage can (or a diaper disposal system that minimizes the smell) next to the changing table. Beginning toys to play with, like rattles, teddy bears, or a mobile. If you have a choice between several rooms in your house for the nursery, choose the one that is closest to yours so that you don't have to walk across the house in the the middle of the night. Anything that is fabric should be washed a few times before using with a baby due to the use of formaldehyde. Cover any electric outlets with plastic fasteners as a safety precaution. Carefully research second-hand baby cribs. Safety standards are much more stringent today than they were years ago. Using a second-hand crib may put your baby's life in danger, but on many models you can determine if there are risks by checking for recall notices, and knowing the basics of crib safety, some of which are mentioned above. Take your decorating project one step at at a time to avoid stress and anxiety. Decorating your baby room should be fun!

Keep in mind that some of the things you see when shopping may not be useful for very long. For example, a mobile for the baby will look very attractive to you, but might soon be ignored by the baby, so you can avoid those extras if you like. Remember decorating your baby's room is optional. Your baby really doesn't care if the picture is hung perfectly. Decorate the ceiling, too. Remember that your baby will spend a lot of time on his or her back, looking at the ceiling. Just be sure not to hang anything from the ceiling that could fall and hurt the child - stick to painted designs, stencils, or stickers. Try to use low VOC (volatile organic compound) paints in your baby nursery. The chemicals released by standard paints can be harmful to your baby. Be aware of SIDS. With a crib, a baby should always be laid down on his back to avoid Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Be aware of the recent massive recall of cribs with drop-down sides. There have been instances of infants who have suffocated because the latch has released and allowed the side to fall, trapping the baby with its face against the mattress.