What kind of wool? What should it feel like? What kind of knit would be good?

Have you had luck with recycling any certain brand?

I want to buy some at thrift stores and sew them into longies but I want them to be comfortable and absorbent.

Any tips?

i would look for 100% wool (no blends). And do a scratch test--try rubbing the sweater under your chin, if it's itchy, i wouldnt use it. i think the scratch test would work better than looking for a certain type of wool.

the kind of knit doesnt matter imo, it's going to felt up so much that you wont be able to see the stitches anymore

I'd also look for the largest sizes you can find. I've tried a few women's mediums for soakers, but it is tight. Better to get l or xl and get more bang for your buck. IME, merino wool is usually a thinner sweater and not as absorbent as a label that just reads 100% wool. Sweater should also be hand washable. If it is machine wash, it won't absorb the urine.

Yes, larger is better! I have had excellent luck with some blends of wool and angora. It's wonderfully soft and works well. Alpaca is terrific, if you run across a sweater of alpaca blended with wool, grab it! Also if you can find some cashmere, it's wonderful. It makes the softest cover for nighttime - what a luxury, to sleep in cashmere jammy pants! :lol

You can also sew in an extra layer of wool into the wet zone, if you have a sweater that is a little too thin or your lo is a heavy wetter. Definitely add an extra layer or two for cashmere because it is very thin.

Personally, I prefer wool/nylon blends myself(at least 80% wool), they tend to be more durable than some 100% wool sweaters I've found(and used).

I have an alpaca sweater I found that I can't wait to make into winter woolies for DS.

Oh, and instead of thrift stores, if you can, hit some garage sales up. I've found wool sweaters at several sales this summer for 50cents each. a lot of times, already felted, which for wearing is not so great, but for woolies is perfect!

i didnt realize that a blend would felt, that certainly gives a lot more options though. will have to try that out

I found the vast majority of my sweaters at a church garage sale. The thrift stores just never seemed to have them, and when they do, they're too expensive to cut up.
I mostly find ones from GAP (not by choice, it just seems that wool from GAP is really popular around here!). I have to wash them two or three times with towels to get them to felt really well, and if they seem thin, I sew an extra layer in the middle. Work just fine, and super cute!
I looked at this (http://www.boiseclothdiapers.com/wool_longies_pattern.htm) and it was really helpful. That diamond shaped piece in the middle is REALLY helpful, as it gives them a bit of extra room though the crotch area. If it's not there the tension will eventually pull the stitches in the middle and pull the wool apart. ( I used a pair for six months before it was a problem though)
For the first few I made them without that diamond piece just so I could get a feel for what I was doing. Once I got more comfortable making them and cutting up beautiful sweaters, I started adding that piece in.
I've got a picture here (http://metrojosie.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/friday-i-homemade-clothes/) of some I made. The pink one and striped ones are from wool sweaters.

My local thrift store will discount sweaters to 25-cents if I find a hole in them. (not likely to work at goodwill or sally's)
The goodwill outlet near here has all clothing for 75-cents, another option.
Look for cashmere :wink

I found the vast majority of my sweaters at a church garage sale. The thrift stores just never seemed to have them, and when they do, they're too expensive to cut up.
I mostly find ones from GAP (not by choice, it just seems that wool from GAP is really popular around here!). I have to wash them two or three times with towels to get them to felt really well, and if they seem thin, I sew an extra layer in the middle. Work just fine, and super cute!
I looked at this (http://www.boiseclothdiapers.com/wool_longies_pattern.htm) and it was really helpful. That diamond shaped piece in the middle is REALLY helpful, as it gives them a bit of extra room though the crotch area. If it's not there the tension will eventually pull the stitches in the middle and pull the wool apart. ( I used a pair for six months before it was a problem though)
For the first few I made them without that diamond piece just so I could get a feel for what I was doing. Once I got more comfortable making them and cutting up beautiful sweaters, I started adding that piece in.
I've got a picture here (http://metrojosie.wordpress.com/2009/08/21/friday-i-homemade-clothes/) of some I made. The pink one and striped ones are from wool sweaters.

Those are cute

Just getting back to this. :bag

Thank you! :joy