Do Crocheted Wool Soakers Really Work?

[Lemoncello]

Forgive me for being a little skeptical, but I'm new to the whole CD thing. I crochet ALOT and would love to whip up some wool soakers for my babe, but not unless I know they actually will keep the wetness IN. I guess for some reason I just have trouble totally believing that moisture wouldn't escape because crocheted stitches tend to have more spaces than knit ones. I do not knit, and don't intend to anytime soon, so that's not an option! I know I could make some extra big and felt them, but then you run into the problem of sizing. I know that regardless, you have to lanolize the wool to make it moisture-resistant. But I'm needing a little bit more convincing that wetness would not still leak through the stitches. Am I just being silly?

[Casha'sMommy]

I only have a minute as I haven't had lunch yet but couldn't help but respond.
I was in the same boat as you several months ago but I bit the bullet and bought some inexpensive yarn to give it a go. I knit but the soakers should be one in the same. I made a few pair of longies for our new lo but didn't use them right away because I was skeptical. One day I just decided to try them and was so glad I did. I absolutely love wool! It's my go to dipe cover everyday.
Do they really hold the wetness in? If you use the proper wool, make the correct size, wash properly, and lanolize you will have no problems. I wash about once every couple weeks to a month and lanolize at the same time, of course. I have a wool wash bar for any poop that might escape. (fwiw, I've had this happen twice in 4.5 months.)

GL and hth!

[CrunchyChristianMama]

I just crocheted a wool sleep sack for my next LO. I used a single stitch to make sure it was nice and tight and didn't have much for holes. I may still felt it since the exact size isn't as important for a sleep sack.

[Juvysen]

crochet stitches are thicker than knit, so it holds the moisture further back from the outside. even w/small holes, it works.

[DisplacedYooper]

My experience is that they work as well as any other wool, that is, they keep wetness in as long as they are not under compression (like, baby is strapped in a car seat)

[fwlady]

I also was very fond of my fleece covers and then pants. But, they really are too warm for my easily overheated lo. I started with acrylic since it is washable, but also resistant like the fleece. And, then switched to wool after I had knitted a few items. I was also a crocheter to start, but knitting has been easy to learn with the help of youtube. And, I NEVER use fleece ANYMORE. And, I rarely used the acrylic pants after the woolies were made as well. Comes to find out, you don't have to lanolize, but it does make them more resistant. I LOVE my woolies and don't use any others!! Kymberli

[Lemoncello]

Okay, well, I'm going to give it a try then. I found some very economical wool on yarn.com that comes in lots of colors, so I will order some and give it a go!

Oh, anybody have a "fave" go to pattern for crocheting soakers/longies? I've found very few free ones online that look good enough to me, but I'm willing buy an e-pattern or two if I find some I like.

[mum2row]

this one is an old pattern from good housekeeping

http://www.glamarama.net/

Little fire soaker pants and longies

http://withatangledskein.blogspot.co...r-pattern.html

I have made both of these, while they both work well, I have to make different soakers for ds as the waist is too small for his chubby belly. You can make them a bit bigger and felt them if you want.

Check out Ravelry for free patterns if you haven't already

[Lemoncello]

Yeah, I've checked Ravelry and Crochet Pattern Central (my two stand-by's)...there are a few cute patterns on Etsy, too, but I'm always hesitant to spend money on a pattern unless I know it will work for me.

[Juvysen]

Originally Posted by Lemoncello

Okay, well, I'm going to give it a try then. I found some very economical wool on yarn.com that comes in lots of colors, so I will order some and give it a go!

At worst, they are AWESOME as extra protection over a regular PUL diaper cover if you'll be out a long time or on a long drive or something... it absorbs any leaks that happen...

[cristeen]

Crocheted soakers absolutely can work. The thing to be aware of though is that the larger the stitch, the larger the holes. Also, if you're doing shorties/longies, I'd recommend adding stitched in the gusset - my one pair of crocheted shorties really has to stretch a lot in that area, which leaves wide open holes.

I crocheted a really simple soaker for a friend's baby shower just last week, did it in 2 evenings. It was all HDC and the way it was constructed meant it would fit from NB through probably the small end of Med. I haven't made one for my little guy yet, but I'm gonna - I really liked it. It was based on this pattern, but I adjusted the size for a NB (that's for a toddler). You can read about the adjustments I made in this thread.

[waiyi]

I made the same one, it works!!!!

My boy sleeps from 11pm to 9am, no leaks!!!!

here is my soaker:
http://namethatcandy.blogspot.com/20...for-lukie.html

[jeninejessica]

I really feel stupid for even asking this, but how do you know if you have the right yarn? I have tons of bargain quality yarn I've been given, but don't know how to tell if it will be any good for covers.

[waiyi]

You just make sure that it is 100% wool. Not Cotton or acrylic, they don't work.

You can go to Michaels or AC Moore, they have 100% wool for really cheap, esp you have coupon, I have tried Patons, Lion Brand and Stitch Nation. They are around $6 per skein, I can make one soaker from one skein. (for S/M)

[jeninejessica]

As long as it's 100% wool though it should work though? That's great, even I can follow those instructions!! lol I bookmarked a few photos/patterns for soakers but never wanted to start one with the wrong yarn.

[rootzdawta]

Absolutely! Crocheted wool soakers work just as well if not better than knit ones but they are more bulky than knit ones unless you are using a fine yarn and small hook. Just something to consider.