The best patterns for DIY wool?

[Beauchamp]

A friend of my mother's is a knitter and is willing to knit woolies for my June baby boy! I am so over the moon with this generous offer, but I need to find some patterns to show her. She's awesome, but has never made a diaper cover before.

Where do I find patterns? Are there some that are better than others? In my limited wool experience, I think I want something with the long/high waist, and enough to be a "cuff" around the thighs if it's a shortie, to prevent leaks.

(Does knitting even use patterns, or are there just instructions?)

What should I ask her to make? Longie, shortie, etc. Any tips on the kind of wool?

Thanks, mamas, for any advice or help.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Do you have a Ravelry account? If you set one up, I can link you to some great patterns. I have nothing but good things to say about Sheepy Pants (definitely worth the small amount of money for the pattern). http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheepy-pants

Also these soakers are great patterns:

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/vanilla-3

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/curly-purly-soaker-pattern

And I really recommend this for the early days - DS slept in this for the first month or so - so practical!

http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/sheepy-sack

Any 100% wool should work - I always use Patons Classic Wool simply because it's cheap and easily available. I should think that Merino wool would work fine too, but more expensive.

[Beauchamp]

Thanks!! Those are CUTE! No, I don't have an account. I don't knit or sew, except to put buttons back on or if a seam rips.

So, basically all I'd need to do is buy the pattern and send it to my lady? Will she know what kind of wool to use? What about felting? Lanolin? I'm definitely looking for a few night weight covers. Would that make a difference?

I just saw that there is a specific "diaper making" forum on MDC, but at first glance it's a bit over my head.

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Yep, buy the pattern and send to her - tell her you need 100% wool (no synthetic, and I don't know whether an alpaca blend would work either - I'm planning on knitting one and finding out but when I researched it a few months ago no one seemed to know). Any 100% wool would work - some are just softer than others, but you need something relatively sturdy.

I've never felted a diaper cover. I'm sure you COULD but you don't need to.

If you want them for night, you'll likely want to ask her to knit a doubler for them (an extra layer of wool you can lay in). A single-layer hand-knit may not hold up to night use.

I haven't knit it, but this pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/everlasting-wonder-soaker likely would work well for night for a small baby because the ribbing wouldn't stretch, meaning there's a lot of bulk in the wet zone. But don't quote me!

If you know you're having a girl there are some LOVELY skirty soaker patterns too!

[Perdita_in_Ontario]

Oh, and lanolizing - I use the method described here (I wash/lanolize prior to first wearing, and then when needed thereafter):

http://greenmountaindiapers.com/lanolize.htm

Super easy!