Please talk to me about lanolizing

[MittensKittens]

I have never tried wool covers, but I really want to give it a go. I understand that they need to be lanolized. Also, since I don't knit, is it OK to cut up old wool sweaters and make covers out of those, using the same patterns I would for PUL covers? Any info would be really appreciated. TIA!

[Michigan Mama]

Look up recycled wool diaper covers, or butt sweaters and you'll find links to patterns if that helps.

When I make one from recycled wool, I wash it on hot and dry it on hot to felt it first. Then sew, then lanolize.

Because the fabric is already felted, I then always use the machine rather than washing and lanolizing by hand, because I am...well...lazy. So my routine is fill machine with tepid water with Eucalan (not an absolute necessary to have wool wash, but I like it). Add my wool stuff. Agitate a bit on gentle, squeeze with my hands, let it soak while I'm doing the next step. Use a small container with lid, add hot water, a few drops of baby wash, and about an inch or so of lanolin, maybe less if you only have a couple covers in there. Shake it up until the lanolin disoves. You can just use lansinoh. A this point, you can just add it to you water and swish it around, but I usually pour it directly on the crotch area of my soakers/covers to make sure that area really gets enough lanolin on it. Then I agitate a little more, let it soak maybe 10 min. or whatever, then spin the water out. Don't rinse! you don't want to rinse out your lanolin. That's it. Lay flat to dry.

fwiw, my doubler layer interlock soakers hold pee the best. Some of my recycled wool ones work better than others, depending on the weave. I often like to do 2 layers on those, too, unless it's a thick yarn.

hth.