To frings or not to fringe, that is the question. . .

[Lefthook]

I'm making baby afghans for newborn cousins. Can I add fringe? I don't see it on many baby afghan patterns. Why? (I have no siblings, no children, and haven't spent much time with any babies, which is why I don't know the answer.)

[tweed]

Fringe, in my opinion is so pretty. Fringe, in my opinion is so high maintenance. After several washings it begins to look a bit shabby . On the other hand, todays yarns seem to be holding up a little better then the yarns of 5 yrs ago. SO,..Now days if I make a blanket that will be used for special occassions I lay on the fringe. If the blankets are for daily use, which can equate to daily washing, I leave it off.

[LaraKN]

I don't usually for babies, because I usually make things that are suppose to be easy care; and as Deb said fringe is high maintenance. 
Also, never having had a baby myself, to me it just looks like trouble; getting caught on all the baby chairs, car seat etc.; getting put in the mouth, and if they are one of those kids that drags a blankie everywhere once they toddle, I think it would just get icky.

[lv2crochet]

I say don't - the baby could chew on it and get choked - my kids for one liked put their blankets in their mouths as they started teething and I don't think it's a good idea - just do a real pretty edging around it and I think that would be fine.  Hope that helps!

[Sharon]

I don't use fringe on baby blankets that I crochet because babies can get the fringe off and put it in their mouths or up their noses.  My granddaughter put it up her nose and they didn't catch it until she had a terrible smell coming from her nose and took her to the doctor.  Actually it wasn't fringe but fuzz from the type of yarn I used.   She'd pick it off and put it up her nose and she wasn't even a year old. 

[Lefthook]

I don't use fringe on baby blankets that I crochet because babies can get the fringe off and put it in their mouths or up their noses.  My granddaughter put it up her nose and they didn't catch it until she had a terrible smell coming from her nose and took her to the doctor.  Actually it wasn't fringe but fuzz from the type of yarn I used.   She'd pick it off and put it up her nose and she wasn't even a year old. 

When I was two I was "helping" my mother decorate Christmas cookies, and stuck cinnamon redhot candies up my nose. I was screaming and my nose was running red; she freaked until she picked up a tissue and told me to 'blow.' I'm fifty nine and I won't touch them even now.

Fringe is pretty but I sure don't need it!

[mlmoore3]

I never have because I was also afraid a baby would try to chew on it.  Most afghan patterns I see that are designed for baby usually have a fancy border around them, which kinda makes up for not having fringe on them, in my opinion.

You'll also want to stay away from giving them cinnamon candies as I hear that can really play havoc with a baby's nose   

[tweed]

LOL>Mary Lou