wool covers

jlripl

Are wool covers worth it? I am thinking of knitting some but was curious from others experience. 

N_Koz

everyone raves about them I really need to find a pattern and get going myself.

lunarrainn

We use them for nap time. Originally we used them as to cover disposables at night. even though we only use them once a day, they are worth the price for us. The best fitting ones we have still work a year later, so it has had longevity. 

zaraceligon

Yes, they're worth it. I use them all the time, I love my dissana for the night and the one love diaper cover for day time. I haven't knit a cover, but I made some from a recicle wool swater. The one the I made are good for daytime.

Cindergurl

I have two recyled wool covers, and I love them! They are awesome for ON.

Danie007

Wool is my favorite ON option paired with a fitted. Definetly worth it IMO. I can't wait till A fits in my fitteds and wool.

freezorburn

I've knitted several wool soakers. They are great as a breathable option over fitteds. The two patterns I would recommend, if you are on Ravelry, are Curly Purly and WHW Plain Wrap.

Also on Ravelry check out the Soakers and Longies group and Cloth Diapering Parents group.

N_Koz

I just casted on my first today so we shall see how good it is. @freezorburn thanks I didn't know about those groups

nalaundi

I have crocheted all of mine. some are single strand weight but super tight stitch with a tiny hook and only use single crochet.. takes longer but it eliminates the holes issues that are common with crocheted wool soakers. the other I use double strand single crochet with a a bigger hook for night use... thick and no holes :-) here are the ones I have finished.

CageyMack

I just got into using a wool soaker at night.  I made one with a thrift-store 100% wool sweater.  It was pre-shrunk.  Felting was nice and even, so I just found an online pattern and went to town, using the sleeve cuffs and waistband for the legs and waistband, if that makes sense.  I followed online directions to lanolize it, using Lanisoh cream.

I use the soaker over Pooters fitteds, which are bizarre but amazing.  I'm a g-diaper/grovia/Bum Genius girl during the day, so to stuff my 11 month old into these huge diapers with a wool cover was a riot.  

He will pee (and soak) the fitted, but the cover is always dry to the touch.  We even drag him in bed with us, so I know it isn't damp at all.  He never complains about being "wet," and has not had any rash develop.  The cover is wool, and we live in Hawaii, so I was worried about him being hot, but he seems completely comfy, so I think the wool and hemp and cotton are working their magic "breathablity" and doing fine.  The cover does not smell at all and is not even damp feeling in the morning.  It is kind of freaky since the fitted is sopping in about five pounds of boy pee, I think.

Anyway, just one mama's story.  

jlripl

For those who have made their own, what yarn brand do you recommend? I know it has to be 100% wool but not sure if one is better than another. 

freezorburn

I used Cascade 220 to make the WHW wrap in the newborn size. I think it was okay for that purpose but I probably wouldn't use it for a soaker for an older baby or toddler.

Since moving to the UK I've found Aran weight bluefaced leicester (BLF) from West Yorkshire Spinners. I don't know if they ship to the US. I made a Curly Purly from it and it's a really nice weight for soakers. It's got a good amount of twist and hasn't pilled up at all. I'm planning to make another one in a larger size than the first one. 

Debbie Bliss has an Aran weight BFL but I think it's superwash, and the yarn reviews say that it tends to stretch a lot when washed. I'm planning to knit some longies with a few balls that I got, so I don't have personal experience with this yet.

BFL is nice because it is soft enough to be against the skin but is still sturdy.

nalaundi

that is a wool wrap in there. that one is felted (only because I made huge on accadent and needed to shrink it. it is a double strand wrap so it is very thick. I also make it wider in the crotch as to not have any leakage in the legs. Closure.. I havent put it on yet. I am deciding on either ties or toggle buttons.  just wrap around fitted or prefold and secure with buttons or ties :-) easy as it gets. I would use it at night only as it is kind of bulky.