[tsfairy]

I'm in a knitting frenzy for the new babe, due in Sept! Today I made my first soaker and I have lots of questions!<br><br>
I started out with the free CurlyPurly pattern, but then realized I didn't have a clue how to knit in the round (that's my next project!) so I just used the sizing and sort of made up a pattern. I knitted it all in one piece, decreasing and increasing for the leg openings, and then seamed down the sides. I used Lion Wool.<br><br>
The leg openings are rolling inward a bit and I'm not sure if I'm going to add leg cuffs - how do I do that exactly and is it necessary?<br><br>
What do I need to do to get the soaker ready for use? Lanolize and what else? (Speaking of which, what's the best way to lanolize?)<br><br>
The pattern says to block the soaker - what is that and how do I do it?<br><br>
The pattern also says to have a fashion show. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/lol.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="lol"> That will hopefully be tomorrow or Tues when I'll try the soaker on one of my new twin nieces. They're about 8.5 lbs so perfect models for a newborn size! <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile">

 

[mommyddeville]

Congratulations! Knitting in the round is really basic. If you don't know how to do it, just go to a yarn store and I'm sure someone there would teach you. I'm making a curly purly soaker now and really liking the pattern. Before, I always made up a pattern, but I love how snug the top of the curly purly one is.

 

[zoebugsmom]

Knitting in the round is super easy. Here's a link:<br><a href="http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting/advanced_techniques/index.php" target="_blank">http://www.knittinghelp.com/knitting...ques/index.php</a><br><br>
I would add the leg cuffs. Soakers with out cuffs always leave a bit of diaper peaking out. At least they do for me. To add the cuffs you'll need to pick up stitches along the edge and knit in the round. I like a K1P1 rib.<br><br>
I never bother to block soakers. They're small and don't really need it IMO. I'm a completely lazy knitter, though.

 

[Amari's Mama]

I love the curly purly pattern, too.<br><br>
I second any and all videos on knittinghelp.com. I learned 99% of how to knit from there.<br><br>
Also, I don't block soakers, either. But, here's a good article about what blocking is and why you might want to do it, and how to do it.<br><a href="http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html" target="_blank">http://www.knitty.com/issuewinter02/FEATdiyknitter.html</a>

 

[liawbh]

I don't technically block soakers, but I do find they look a million times better if you gently stretch and squish them until the rows are parallel as you lay them to dry. It's amazing how the tension evens out.

 

[Aurora]

Isn't knitting tiny soakers sweet?<br><br>
I don't block my soakers either.

 

[tsfairy]

Thanks for all the replies! Knittinghelp.com is really a great site. I got up my courage this afternoon and got out my dpn's and added one leg cuff. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"> It was surprisingly easy. I don't know what I was afraid of!<br><br>
I'm hoping to get the other cuff done tonight and then do the fitting tomorrow.<br><br>
Next soaker will be the CP pattern. <img alt="" class="inlineimg" src="http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/smile.gif" style="border:0px solid;" title="smile"><br>
(By the way, how do you do short rows?)

 

[Amari's Mama]

This is the ABSOLUTELY easiest and most invisible way to do short rows that I have found:<br><br><a href="http://woolywonder.com/forums/showpost.php?p=74291&postcount=34" target="_blank">http://woolywonder.com/forums/showpo...1&postcount=34</a>