Am I insane?

[boysmom2]

Is it completely unreasonable to think that I could make my own wool diaper covers in the next 6 months? I love them, but they're too expensive to buy, so I thought about knitting my own. Here's the problem: I have never even attempted to knit anything in my life. I have successfully crocheted a couple of baby blankets, but that is the extent of my experience with yarn of any kind.

So, what do you think? If you think I could pull it off, where should I start? I'm going to look for a basic how to knit book at the library.

Thanks!

[jennert]

i don't know how dexterous you are with your hands. however...i know there are some crocheted soaker patterns out there online--that may be a better place to start. i'd just google it. as for knitting, depending on how you learn, a book could be an ok way to go about it. there are also some DVDs out there, though i haven't watched any of them and can't vouch for helpfulness there. for me, with crafty things, i need to see how something is done to be able to do it correctly. i know as a mom, your time is limited, but i'd see if someone you know knits and ask them if they'd teach you. as a knitter, i've recieved many requests to teach people how to knit. very few follow through though. there may be a knitting group somewhere nearby that you might be able to attend. where i live, the yarn shop has a knitting circle, another one meets in the library and there's also one that meets at the Senior Center. quite a few knitting options.
good luck with your knitting. it's addicive

[kbstanley3]

If you know how to crochet already, then I would recommend just crocheting your own soakers/longies. A few of my favorites(beginner friendly) are:
Soaker - Seraphim soaker pattern, found here: http://hyenacart.com/prod_details.php?id=74024&vid=752
Shorties -Ladybugz Honeysuckle Shorties pattern, found here:
http://www.ladybugz.ca/store/
Longies -Ladybugz Morning Glory longies (flare leg) pattern, found here:
http://www.ladybugz.ca/store/
HTH!!

[vilaura]

If you want to learn to knit this site is an excellent resource. I find it helps me much more to watch a video demonstration than to read instuctions. Depending on your learning style it can really get you going with knitting. You could definately make enough for your new baby in the next six months!

[Ruthla]

You can also buy wool fabric (or thrift store wool sweaters) and sew your own wool diaper covers. Wool doesn't have to be knit or crocheted to work as a diaper cover.

[BridgetinSC]

My middle daughter wanted to learn how to knit, so I taught myself so I could teach her. Well... let's just say I'm MUCH better at crochet. lol. If you can already crochet, I'd look for a pattern for that. Or, like Ruthla said, get some wool fabric and use that. You can often find felted wool in the thrift stores. Lots of folks are sorting closets right now.

[mamasthree]

I learned to knit 2+ years ago for this very reason...my first projects were ribby wraps from Little Turtle Knits--her patterns are really great for beginners, as everything is spelled out pretty clearly. (I learned to knit completely from knittinghelp.com.)

Now, knitting is my favorite hobby!

[CanBoo]

I agree with PP. If you crochet, why don't you crochet your soakers. I prefer crochet soakers anyways. They are thicker and much faster to make.
I use the Ladybugz farm pattern and it is quite easy to follow even for a beginner I am sure.

[love2bmom]

I agree - you can do it! Whether you knit them, crochet them, or sew them. You go girl!

[boysmom2]

Thank you, thank you!! You ladies are awesome! I'm excited to get started - just as soon as I finally finish the baby blanket I've been working on FOREVER for my sister's baby that due in 6 weeks! Thanks for all the great ideas!!

[boysmom2]

Originally Posted by Ruthla

You can also buy wool fabric (or thrift store wool sweaters) and sew your own wool diaper covers. Wool doesn't have to be knit or crocheted to work as a diaper cover.

I have a question about this. If you buy thrift store sweaters, do they have to be 100% wool? I was at Goodwill last night and I found some that were 70, 80, or even 90% wool, but no 100% so I didn't buy any. Would those still work?

[Think of Winter]

You can definitely do it. You really only need 3-4 in a size. Once you know what you're doing, newborn soakers take only a couple of days to knit, and longies less than a week. For a beginner, even if you quadruple that time, and you can still do it.

I would start with the Ottobre pattern. It is knit flat, and you only need to know how to knit, purl, increase, and decrease. Knit one. It'll look kinda funny. Your second one will look better. After the third, you'll be ready to try something more difficult, like knitting in the round, and you can make some longies or shorties for the summer.

Do you have a friend who could spend some time with you getting you started?

I highly recommend the Yahoo group Wool Soaker Group. Lots of mamas joined to learn. I have been knitting for 18 yrs or so, and still check out knittinghelp.com pretty often.

[Think of Winter]

Originally Posted by boysmom2

I have a question about this. If you buy thrift store sweaters, do they have to be 100% wool? I was at Goodwill last night and I found some that were 70, 80, or even 90% wool, but no 100% so I didn't buy any. Would those still work?

Yes, they will work as long as the remaining 20% is not something absorbent, like cotton, which will cause wicking. One hint, unless it's a really thin merino, I wouldn't felt it first. It's nicer if your soakers have some stretch. And softness is everything. Hold it up to your neck, and if it feels good, it'll be ok for baby legs.

[boysmom2]

Originally Posted by Think of Winter

Yes, they will work as long as the remaining 20% is not something absorbent, like cotton, which will cause wicking. One hint, unless it's a really thin merino, I wouldn't felt it first. It's nicer if your soakers have some stretch. And softness is everything. Hold it up to your neck, and if it feels good, it'll be ok for baby legs.

Awesome, thanks!

[Daniel's Kitty]

I felt ones for overnight usage or if they are pretty thin, but my favorites are the ones I knit anyway.