A co-worker of my mom's is expecting a baby boy the first of August. My mom asked me to make a little something for him so I used a pattern from the "Stitch & Bitch: Happy Hooker" book to make this blanket and hat set:

( Monkey Business )

So I got the most awesome request today. My (nice, normal) co-worker (who I've made a blanket for previously) pops out with "Could you make a black baby blanket?" Apparently her pregnant niece is a goth-type (more particularly, of the "don't-call-me-goth", black/skull/handcuff loving type)

Hell yes!

So I've been toying with ideas, and I'm wondering if anyone has any suggestions for a good pattern for texture to use with black yarn. I figure it should have more texture than standard, since black won't show subtle patterns much.

I'm also thinking Caron Simply Soft in black - any other suggestions? I want something softer than standard acrylic, but none of the really soft "baby" yarns come in black.

I'm also going to look for some kind of pattern for a flat skull to sew on. :D

Hat and booties will almost certainly follow. And if they find out it's a girl... I've never made a baby dress, I'd love my first one to be black!

Suggestions appreciated, thanks in advance!

So I really, really want to make some toe-less/heel-less socks. And there are tons of patterns out there... but I don't knit. I can probably improvise something, but I would rather start with a pattern. Can anyone point me in the direction of a crochet pattern for these?

TIA!