There must be some sort of baby boom going on, because the great baby knitting books just keep on coming!

The latest one I've spotted is The Expectant Knitter: 30 Designs for Baby and Your Growing Family by Marie Connolly, who is the owner of Stitch DC. (I actually visited Stitch DC - the store on Capitol Hill - a couple of years ago. It was a lovely store and she is very nice. I have no idea how she managed to run three stores, be a mom to two kids and write a book, but brava!)

I knew I was going to like this book the minute I opened up the Table of Contents. The projects are arranged in chapters according to Trimesters. So clever!

And I was tickled to see that the very first chapter, "Planning Ahead", contains several projects to knit even before you're expecting! 'It's never too early...to start your own hope chest," she says and I think she must be right. I learned to knit while I was pregnant and I remember knitting all my thoughts and dreams of a new life into those first projects. Why not take the time before you're pregnant or have adopted to make heirloom projects like the stunning christening gown or delightful knitted pinwheel quilt?

The next chapter focuses on the first trimester and all those lovely little things you instantly want to knit for a little one on the way. There's cutie patootie sweaters and vests, a sweet baby dress and a way fun leggings set.

this Baby Racer Set is so cute - you gotta check it out!

There are also several pages of advice and information for the first trimester, quite reminiscent of the classic What to Expect When You're Expecting. She recommends taking your vitamins, "some ginger tea to soothe your stomach," "some indulgent knitting time," of course, and helpful ideas to start picking out a baby name. Even though I'm not pregnant now, there's a sweet nostalgia to reading through these milestones of pregnancy and remembering how I experienced them when I was.

The Second Trimester chapter focuses on some more practical considerations. There's a discussion of diapering, along with excellent looking patterns for diaper covers and leg warmers (which always seem to go together in the cloth diapering set, but look good on all chubby baby bottoms and baby legs!).

The chapter also talks about older children and how they might feel when the new baby arrives and offers patterns for them as well, including a charming hoody for the big brother, a lovely little lady sweater for big sis and a even a doggie sweater for the pet pooch.

The final chapter (rather too appropriately named, "The Final Stretch"), recognizes that those last few weeks of pregnancy can be difficult, when you're feeling large and tired. She recommends lots of rest, massages, and keeping your knitting simple. This chapter is chock full of patterns for small accessories like washcloths, bibs and hats.

You can tell that the author of the book is a real mom, who loves knitting for her kids. Her genuine enthusiasm and joy in knitting and in being a mom are present throughout. It goes without saying that this book would be a perfect gift for a knitter's baby shower. But there's still plenty there for the knitters whose friends and family always seem to be expecting! Most of the patterns are sized up to 24 months, so there's even a few things in here I might hope to make for my wee one. Whether you're expecting, or expecting to be expecting, or expecting a friend to be expecting, or already expected, I expect you'll like this book!