Wool!!!

Jennifer - posted on 09/23/2009

I don't prefer Superwash for woolies (longies, shorties, skirties) I think it is more so used for sweaters and such!

I'm Jennifer! I have been cloth diapering my daughter since she was 4 mos old....she is almost 2yrs old...I'm a crocheter and make her woolies....I use Paton's 100% wool yarn which can be found in your local craft store and is pretty inexpensive per skein I prefer the Winter White and dye my own with Kool-aid or food grade dyes....you can also find Cascade yarn which is 100% wool yarn at most local craft stores...they have solids or colorways...the price varies from area to area....

for measuring woolies you want to put on usually te thickest diaper that you plan on putting on under the woolies OR one that you use often...you want to measure around the waist at the belly button, from the place on the baby's back where you want the woolies to go up to thru the legs and up to the point on the front that you want them to come up to (that will give you the rise), then around the thickest part of their thigh and the inseam (inner part of the leg from the diaper to the length that you want them)

like for example...I'm making a pair of medium longies that will be:

waist: 16in
Rise: 16in
Thigh: 10in
Inseam: 8in

hope that helps!

Kandle - posted on 09/23/2009

I have been using wool for about 3-4 months now with my 3rd little one. ( I did not know about wool with my first two.) I LOVE wool. I have had to use prefolds as well as fitteds. I have had both leak onto the wool cover, but it is so easy to wash off. I have also started ECing, so have had a lot less poopy diapers to change. I love it.

I have been crocheting my own covers and my step-mom bought me some wool yarn. Some of the yarn she bought is super wash. It is very soft, but seems to have more stretch leaving more gaps. Has anyone had experience with super wash wool?

Vilate - posted on 09/20/2009

so as to the felting. ditto to elizabeth. In fact I hardly ever felt them unelss it is a really thin sweater. Especially if it is a thicker sweater do NOT felt it, you will end up with something thick enough to be a rug! It will not work for a cover. I have a website with lots of wool cover and care of wool info on it

http://niftynappy.com



as to the fiber content. Elizabeth is 100% right on the no synthetic fibers cause they will hole the pee in and smell! The magic thing about wool is that you don't have to wash it cause it changes the pee into salt water and then it dries clean with some salt residue which is why you have to wash them only about once a month.



Ditto to the fitteds under them! Totally the way to go! A good fitted that is snug that won't let any blowout stuff out! :) I love my fitteds for this. I wouldn't go back to prefolds if you paid me!



just so you know when people ask for a rise sometime they mean different things. When I ask I want from belly button under and up to the waist line in the back -with diaper on!

some just want from belly button to center bottom. so you should clarify that to whoever you have make them.



My favorite medium though for woolies is wool yarn. I love merino wool yarn! It is super soft and beautiful! here is a link to a pair I just finish http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/photo....



have fun and welcome to the world of wool! you will never go back! :)

Elizabeth - posted on 09/17/2009

Yes before you cut but it doesn't absolutely have to be felted.

Michelle - posted on 09/17/2009

OK so a quick google search told me I basically need to put the wool sweater I am using in the washing machine to felt it. I assume this should be done before I cut my pattern?

Michelle - posted on 09/17/2009

Thanks. I have also read about felting wool to make it stonger. How do you do that?

Elizabeth - posted on 09/16/2009

It has to be at least 80% wool. It helps if the other material is not synthetic though.

Michelle - posted on 09/16/2009

I found an old sweater in my closet that I think I can use to try making my first one! If I go to the thrift store what material should I look for? Does it have to be 100% wool?

Elizabeth - posted on 09/15/2009

Wool is awesome, the best imo. It's not just for winter though. Wool will you keep you warm in the winter AND cool in the summer! I don't know what you mean about sizing. If someone is making you some they will tell you what they need measured and how to do it. Usually you need the hip, rise, and length. Yes fitted diapers are best under wool. A lot of people use prefolds with snappis just fine but I hate snappis. LOL If you have a good fitting and abosrbant diaper underneath there should be no concern but even if you did get some poo on them it's easily hand washable.



Michelle you have three options; sweaters from the thrift store (cheap and very easy to make), knitting them, or using wool interlock. If you want interlock I can refer to a website but average cost is about $18-$35 a yard and you can usually only get about 1 or 2 covers out of a yard.

Michelle - posted on 09/15/2009

I am wanting to get into wool covers as well. I have found some great patterns but am having trouble finding wool material. I am not sure I want to go the thrift store route. . . Anyone have any suggestions?

Ashley - posted on 09/15/2009

Do you have any fitteds that you could put under the longies instead of a prefold? I use wool soakers now (love them ) - but didn't use them for the NB poo stage. I'm sure it'd hold in most of the time - but you might have an occasional blowout depending on the consistency! I'm not sure how sizing for longies works.