Question about crocheting baby legs...

[boysmom2]

I want to make ds some baby legs.  I think I like this pattern: http://hooked-on-crochet.blogspot.com/2008/01/livie-legs-free-original-pattern.html, but I have a question.  The pattern says to use a soft acrylic yarn, but I'm wondering if something else might be better.  I'm making them because ds has had a nasty yeasty diaper rash for more than 2 months.  I'm thinking about putting him in just prefolds during the day with no cover to help him air out, but it's still cold here, so I think the babylegs would work well.  But, the rash has been creeping down his legs too.  I wonder if maybe a cotton yarn would be better?  Thoughts?

[fritz]

Crocheting for a rashy baby?  Yes, I'd choose cotton over acrylic.  Acrylic allergies are quite rare, but the acrylic yarn does a great job of trapping body heat, which is great in an afghan, but not so good for rashes.  Just be advised that pure cotton yarns in general don't have a lot of stretch/give to them, so you might try an acrylic/cotton blend.

[boysmom2]

Thanks!  I'll see what I can find...

[Abiopsahl]

Hey wool works best to help wick stuff away no matter if it's hot or cold. I just had the same problem with rash on my dd who is 11mths old.For two weeks she had a really bad diaper rash that just kept getting worse. If you have a baby bath still fill it with comfortably warm water and put baby in. Measure out about half a cup of Bragg's Organic Apple cider Vinegar the one that says with the mother on the label. Pour it in the water right in front of, but not on the baby's crotch. Keep scooping the water from that area up with a cup and pouring it over the baby's crotch for about 15 to 20 mins while the baby soaks in the bath. The first day I tried it the rash was half gone. The second day it was all gone. I thought to try it because when she was first born I was having problems with thrush on my breasts and it worked to get rid of it so I didn't have to use Nystatin. Read an article about it on the internet. It has natural anti-bacterial properties. So I thought what could it hurt?

[Abiopsahl]

Oh, wool also has natural antibacterial properties.

[Llyra]

An all-cotton yarn will not hold its shape well. Cotton in general tends to stretch and bag with wear, which in something like babylegs, would make them fall down all the time. If it were me, I'd look for a cotton/wool blend, which will give you the feel of cotton, with the resilience of wool. Or just go with a nice soft wool-- which will breathe well, and keep baby warm without trapping moisture, and will also be resilient for a good stretch, so that the babylegs will stay up.

[boysmom2]

Thanks everybody!  I'm hoping to get to the yarn shop tomorrow!

[motherhendoula]

I agree with Llyra - wool is very breathable - holds it shape well - but  (i think)  it could feel itchy on a LO's legs that already have a rash on them ...(so right about the vinegar for the rash BTW!)

a wool /alpaca blend might be good - and still be soft , or if you can find it - wool /cotton or bamboo blend.