Yarn content for soakers?

[EljayMom]

So I know wool is best for soakers. What about wool blends? Specifically, I just got a good deal on a wool/silk blend (85% wool/15% silk). Would it work for a soaker or longies, or should I make it into something else? It's so soft and so pretty.

I'm sure wool/cotton would be bad, and I've read that wool/acrylic works adequately if it's mostly wool, but I've never seen any discussion of wool/silk.

[IncompetentHousewife]

Ooh, it sounds like a wool/silk blend would be nice! Silk does absorb though, but I think I've heard it has natural antibacterial properties kind of like hemp does. My shorties and longies are mostly made of felted wool sweaters so I don't have personal experience with silk.

Silk doesn't seem to be as thirsty as cotton, so it doesn't seem like it would draw up so much poo that you'd have to wash the longies too much. I assume you want to lanolinize them and put them over an absorbent diaper and therefore not wash them every day.

I have used blends up to 85/15 for wool covers and they do fine, but as you said the 15% hasn't been silk.

I'd give it a try!

[EljayMom]

I think I'll go ahead and make a soaker, and see what happens. If it doesn't work well, I can always lengthen the legs and turn it into a regular pair of leggings to wear over a thin cover of some sort.

It's just such lovely yarn--vivid colors, and the texture is so nice. I have some in a deep pink, and some coordinating wool/bamboo blend in a lighter pink that I thought would make a lovely sweater-dress for yDD.

Before I start any of that, though, DS wants some knit armor, thanks to another thread here on MDC. Since his birthday is coming up in a few weeks...