Wool for a toddler using prefolds??

[Pumpkin_Pie]

My son desperately needs more covers, and I can't buy any right now. I have never used wool because I was just too afraid of leaks. I know, I know, it works great, it is cool in the summer, warm in the winter, etc, but I was always just too scared to try it out.

Well.... I have a ton of wool in my yarn stash and was wondering if it is possible to make him some covers that I can use with prefolds? I am currently using toddler size prefolds that I lay in a PUL cover (Thirsties). I generally keep him in the same cover until he poops. When he poops, it tends to get onto the leg elastic, so I just change the whole deal. Unfortunately, he poops two to three times a day about half the time.

Any suggestions on what I could knit that would help with this dilemma?

[Ruthla]

I sewed wraps out of felted wool fabric for DS when he was a toddler. I also made him some fitteds to wear under pull-on covers, so they'd be less leaky. If you're going to use prefolds with a knitted or crocheted soaker, you'll need to pin or snappi it first.

[iowaorganic]

My toddler wears prefolds- I snappi or pin them- and then longies/shorties over that. Rarely does poo get on the pants. Just make sure to make your pants with plenty of short rows for extra butt room!

[Think of Winter]

You could make covers, longies, or shorties. We used pfs for a long time. Check out the Yahoo group Wool Soaker Group.

What kind of yarn do you have, and how sensitive is your ds to texture? I used to use Peace Fleece on dd when she was 6-18 mos, but now she says it's too scratchy. It's a bit of a challenge to find a really soft, and also really durable fiber. But if you have something like that, definitely give it a try. Knitting longies is really fun. In fact, dd has been out of dipes for oh, 10 mos or so, and I made her some longies last week. They are just so soft and nice.

[iowaorganic]

I second the durability of pf. I also have some out of cascade 220 (kinda pills) and lambs pride- which are maybe my fav! The lambs pride pills a little but it is completely bullet proof! It makes amazing night time longies! I also have some bfl and merino ones for good- but the lamb's pride is my go to longie for play and night.

[honeybunmom]

Originally Posted by Think of Winter

You could make covers, longies, or shorties. We used pfs for a long time. Check out the Yahoo group Wool Soaker Group.

What kind of yarn do you have, and how sensitive is your ds to texture? I used to use Peace Fleece on dd when she was 6-18 mos, but now she says it's too scratchy. It's a bit of a challenge to find a really soft, and also really durable fiber. But if you have something like that, definitely give it a try. Knitting longies is really fun. In fact, dd has been out of dipes for oh, 10 mos or so, and I made her some longies last week. They are just so soft and nice.

I hear Black Berry Ridge and Cestari Merino are great for durability for toddlers. I've only made dresses and skirts for my dd out of them. And they are nice and soft. She pl'd for I had a chance to use them for soakers.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Thanks for the tips mamas! I have a complete mishmash of wool. I have a bit of alpaca, some llama, a ton of mohair and even some angora that I can use. Do longies definitely have to be made from sheep's wool, or can it be a mix or even totally another animal fiber?

Come to think of it, I actually have a TON of wool/angora that is a very, very soft yarn. It is a very pastel purple, but I totally wouldn't care if it works. (I HATE pastels)

As far as I know, my son isn't bothered by itchiness/scratchiness at all. He has never complained when I put wool hats on him, or wool sweaters. I almost always have leg warmers on him that are cotton, so there wouldn't really be all that much touching his skin. He actually has a pair of wool babylegs that he wears pretty regularly, and he has never complained about those either.

Off to find patterns!

ETA: I just found a great pattern on Ravelry!! I have some beautiful orange and yellow variegated yarn that was given to me as a Christmas gift that I was just itching to use. I think it will make a fabulous pair of bright boy longies!! (I love to put my son in bright colors!)

[honeybunmom]

Originally Posted by Pumpkin_Pie

Thanks for the tips mamas! I have a complete mishmash of wool. I have a bit of alpaca, some llama, a ton of mohair and even some angora that I can use. Do longies definitely have to be made from sheep's wool, or can it be a mix or even totally another animal fiber?

Come to think of it, I actually have a TON of wool/angora that is a very, very soft yarn. It is a very pastel purple, but I totally wouldn't care if it works. (I HATE pastels)

As far as I know, my son isn't bothered by itchiness/scratchiness at all. He has never complained when I put wool hats on him, or wool sweaters. I almost always have leg warmers on him that are cotton, so there wouldn't really be all that much touching his skin. He actually has a pair of wool babylegs that he wears pretty regularly, and he has never complained about those either.

Off to find patterns!

ETA: I just found a great pattern on Ravelry!! I have some beautiful orange and yellow variegated yarn that was given to me as a Christmas gift that I was just itching to use. I think it will make a fabulous pair of bright boy longies!! (I love to put my son in bright colors!)

The thing about sheep's wool is that it has the highest hygroscopic properties of all of the wools/animal hairs. It absorbs up to 30% of it's weight in moisture. Alpaca, angora, etc, to the extent they do so at all, do so at lower levels, so, they wouldn't be as effective. I think - and anyone else with better information please chime in - that you'll be safe with a sheep's wool content of at least 75% - 80%. I will say, though, that I have also used 100% recycled cashmere and that seemed to work just fine. I wouldn't use it overnight, but, for day use and changing regularly/frequently, I think you'd be fine with some lower sheep's wool content.

[Pumpkin_Pie]

Originally Posted by honeybunmom

The thing about sheep's wool is that it has the highest hygroscopic properties of all of the wools/animal hairs. It absorbs up to 30% of it's weight in moisture. Alpaca, angora, etc, to the extent they do so at all, do so at lower levels, so, they wouldn't be as effective. I think - and anyone else with better information please chime in - that you'll be safe with a sheep's wool content of at least 75% - 80%. I will say, though, that I have also used 100% recycled cashmere and that seemed to work just fine. I wouldn't use it overnight, but, for day use and changing regularly/frequently, I think you'd be fine with some lower sheep's wool content.

Good to know. I have actually been putting him in a sposie at night lately. I would rather he be in cloth at night, but with our leakage problems and my super nice organic bed (that I have absolutely no way to ever replace), I just feel better about having one sposie on him a day.

[Think of Winter]

FYI, you could try dyeing the pastel purple you don't like. Nothing to lose if you already dislike the color, and you could end up with a beautiful color.

[iowaorganic]

ToW- I was just thinking the same thing! Get some wiltons or kooliad and go to town!

[Pumpkin_Pie]

How do you dye angora? The woman who gave it to me said you have to be careful when dying it. Do you just need to avoid agitation? Any idea on how to do it? I would love to dye it a deep purple or blue. That would be great!

[SevenVeils]

I've always heard that yarn must be at least 85% sheep's wool in order to be lanolized effectively and to work correctly.