Soaker knitting Q

[Tea Lady]

Just wondering if the people who have knitted soakers could let me know what size needles / wool they have found to work well. Most of the patterns I can find are American and they either use wierd terminology, or they don't say what to use :confused:

I'm thinking of trying http://community.livejournal.com/punk_knitters/110889.html - has anyone else used it?

Thanks :)

[shed]

Tea Lady, I am knitting one too, but I think I have got the sizing wrong so this one is just a practice one, so no help sorry. The width is good, on size 3.5 needles, but the length is too big, its going to end up under his armpits! The pattern said to use number 5 needles I think but it was for size 12 months and I wanted it smaller so I used smaller needles, but I forgot to adjust the length. This is typical of me, I always think I know better than the instructions (d'uh) :laughing:

It does depend on whether you are a tight knitter or a loose knitter. You need to knit a swatch and then measure it, then measure bubby and work out how many stitches you will need.

Also, while I am here, if you find any cute motifs to knit on the butt can you let me know. I am looking, looking, looking but having trouble finding something decent.

[kymmy]

What ply is the yarn?
Generally I use size 4mm for 8ply.
I am going to try making a soaker.
They look so cute and quite easy too.
I saw on another forum someone hand dyed the wool and it was so colourful.
So gorgeous.
I would like to try making a soaker in cotton.
I usually knit in cotton now cos of my boy's eczema.
Atm I am knitting cotton jumpers for my boys.

:o :ecomcity:

[kymmy]

Also, while I am here, if you find any cute motifs to knit on the butt can you let me know. I am looking, looking, looking but having trouble finding something decent.

The one I saw had embroidered "COLOUR MY WORLD"

As for not following the instructions!
I think its true once u know the rules then you can break them.!
I use a pattern first time I make something but then alter it to suit me after that.

[shed]

the pattern I am using is one the Oscars Mum posted in a thread that I can't find at the moment but I downloaded the link. It actually looks a bit easier than the one you have posted Tea Lady.

http://www.tinybirdsorganics.com/soakers/pattern/index.html


scroll down for the free pattern and you will see it.

Also, if you search in the other soaker threads it tells you how to lanolise them using lansinoh creme (I just learned this 10 seconds ago when looking for the thread).

[Tea Lady]

Thanks for the link shed - I'd seen it before but for some reason thought it was for the one pictured with the ties on the legs (too fiddly for me!!). I might give it a go since I've discovered I don't have any circular needles after all!

What ply wool are you using shed? In the picture it looks reasonably fine (4 ply?) - is this right?

Kymmy - I think you need to have wool because cotton will soak up the wee like another layer of the nappy, whereas wool doesn't do this. You can get wools that are pretty hypo-allergenic, but you might have to look online.

[shed]

this is my practice one which is in 8 ply acrylic mixed with wool, but the real one that I do next will be in pure wool and I dunno what ply, haven't figgered that bit out yet LOL

[Tea Lady]

Well I've done the ribbing for one side............so far so good. I'm using 8 ply so we'll see how it turns out!

[MamaSage]

Veteran soaker knitter here, lol :D A few tips.

8 ply is the best for a soaker. You can knit this on 4 mm needles, (american size 10) I use 3.75 mmm for my personal knitting guage, and I normally use 3.25 mm needles for the rib waistband.

Shed, the higher it goes up the body the better! You can boost the nappies more and the soaker will still fit. If it is too much, fold it down until he grows into it a bit. High pants ar enot a bad thing in a soaker!

And the Tiny Bird pattern has a very, very small waist. You could make it a little bit bigger, and make sure you cast on with double tail method as I found it to be way too small to be useful.

:D :D

[kymmy]

Kymmy - I think you need to have wool because cotton will soak up the wee like another layer of the nappy, whereas wool doesn't do this. You can get wools that are pretty hypo-allergenic, but you might have to look online.

Oh yeah you are right. On that tinyorganics one it mentions organic wool. They say its softer and less of an irritant than even cotton. I will have to check that out.
Its not so much as an issue for me as I am making the soaker as more of a cover for summer. I have halfway finished the one on that tinyorganics. I have a more simple one too which I would like to have a go at too.
http://grapevine.net.au/~bluegum/freesoaker.html

A question - are you going to felt the soaker?

[Tea Lady]

Hey Carlia, could you pls explain what they mean by the double tail method of casting on? I can't make the video work on my computer :o

[shed]

Thanks Carlia. What would I do without bubhub!

I am going to go and buy some new wool today. I have nearly finished my practice one which might actually be usable after all if bubby doesn't mind his pants pulled up like Poindexter!! Its got acrylic in it though so it might just be for "show", I don't know how soaky it will be.

I did a bit of fair isle on the back but I am still looking for some decent intarsia motifs. I will post a pic when i finish!!

[kymmy]

And the Tiny Bird pattern has a very, very small waist. You could make it a little bit bigger, and make sure you cast on with double tail method as I found it to be way too small to be useful.

:D :D

that is what i think - the waist is so small - I can't imagine it stretching to fit my boy who is almost 9mths.

[kymmy]

And the Tiny Bird pattern has a very, very small waist. You could make it a little bit bigger, and make sure you cast on with double tail method as I found it to be way too small to be useful.

:D :D

That is what I think.
My baby is almost 9mths and I don't think it will fit him.
Yes pls explain the tail if you can - I am not sure either.

[shed]

kymmy, the double tail method is on a video on the free pattern page. You need to download Realplayer and the link is on the page too. It only takes a minute.

She rambles on a bit and I haven't got sound, but I managed to pick it up. I just have to figure out if its the same method that I have always used just done a slightly different way!!

[MamaSage]

The explanation on knittinghelp.com is the best I have come across, and I will not even try to explain it in my own words, lol! I will have you even more confused...
I'll sit down after Bridie has gone for a sleep and try.

[shed]

as promised, if this works, here is a pic of my first attempt at a soaker. Its in the wrong wool and might be the wrong size but I think I have got the gist of it.

http://img116.imageshack.us/my.php?image=soakermv8.jpg

[kymmy]

Shed, that looks right to me.
Mine looks similar - I just finished one last night.

As for the video - I have dial up so I think it wont load very well for me.

[Tea Lady]

Very noice shed :yelclap: Your baby will be one snappy dresser!

Kymmy, I have dial up too, and I downloaded the video from the knitting help page - took about 30 mins I think. Carlia is right - it's way too tricky to explain, but easy enough when you see it done. I set it up to download while we were in bed last night.

[kymmy]

Thanks Tea Lady - will try it.