[HoneyTree]

Hi, knitting mamas. I'm a huge fan of the LTK picky pants pattern, but with my really active toddler, the soakers are taking quite a beating between the legs! I knit mostly with Peace Fleece, known to be a workhorse yarn, but several of my picky pants are getting big spaces where you increase for the gusset and also where you pick up stitches on either side to attach the gusset to the legs. One pair the yarn even broke, and I ended up having to mend it twice and then finally unravel the soaker.<br><br>
I'm now knitting another pair, but I'm considering doing one of the following:<br><br>
*Holding the yarn doube through the increases and all through the crotch<br>
*Knitting with a way tinier needle so the stiches are smaller and tighter in that area<br>
*Adopting a new gusset technique that might work better for me<br><br>
What do you all think? Has anyone solved this problem another way, or is there another pattern that might suit my kiddo better? Or perhaps one must just expect that knitted garments, when worn frequently and hard, are going to wear <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> !

 

[moondiapers]

I like to knit a regular soaker, then pick up stitches around the leg holes and knit long legs. This seems to prevent the problem.

 

[HoneyTree]

I thought about that, too, but couldn't picture it. It seems like the legs would come out at weird angles from the sides. Do you have a picture that you would be willing to share?

 

[moondiapers]

They end up looking weird, but only when you lay them out. They fit like tights and look fine when they are on. I don't have a pic but the closest thing I can think of are the babyology longies.<br><br><a href="http://cgi.ebay.com/XL-Babyology-longies-cloth-diaper-cover_W0QQitemZ110132145181QQihZ001QQcategoryZ26267QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem" target="_blank">http://cgi.ebay.com/XL-Babyology-lon...QQcmdZViewItem</a>

 

[monkaha]

What about holding a thread or something with the yarn to strengthen it? I've seen it suggested for sock heels, don't know if it would work for this. Maybe you could even hold a sock-wt yarn and knit it double there. That way you would still have the wool, but it would be a bit tougher.

 

[Amari's Mama]

I really like the LTK Picky Pants pattern, too! Haven't made it to the toddler stage in wool yet, though...<br><br>
If you are doing a KFAB for the increases on the gusset, you might try switching to a different type of increase that leaves smaller holes... like a bar increase.<br><br>
For the part where you pick up stitches for the legs... here's what I do, which I think ends up looking more clean... I do the kitchener first, and then move on to one leg, but pick up 3 or 4 stitches (depending on the size you're making) rather than 2 stitches as directed.<br><br>
I think that the recommendation regarding holding a strand of thread - especially if it's an all poly thread like gutermans or mettler - along with your yarn for those sections would be a very good idea.<br><br>
You might also like knitting with BFL yarn instead of Peace Fleece. I have heard that it wears VERY well, too - and it's aran, so a "heavy worsted".

 

[HoneyTree]

A bar increase would work well! And I bet sock yarn would make that area super strong. Those are great suggestions.<br><br>
Moondiapers, thanks for the picture--now that you mention it, I can totally see them fitting like tights. And with my favorite regulary soaker, the curly purly one, I bet the fit would be really trim.<br><br>
Thanks to all for the ideas!

 

[Knittin' in the Shade]

You could also duplicate stitch that area after the pants are finished; with the same yarn. Or, you could do what I've done for my insane super soaker, knit a rectangle panel to whipstitch down inside the pants to line the front and the crotch <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/orngbiggrin.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="orange big grin">