Quick newbie intro and question about wool cover patterns/wool yarn

MrsTuna08

Hello ladies!  I've been lurking here for a while, so I'd like to intro before I start asking questions and participating in discussions.  I'm only 13 weeks now, so I probably won't post too much until I really start to build my stash, but I didn't want to seem like a wierdo who just sort of showed up.  

Tiny Tuna is due at the end of November, so right now I'm in the research stage.  I've known since before I got pregnant that we would CD, but my opinion about what type of diaper system I want has evolved as I've researched and lurked on this board.  My current thought is that I will do a mix of prefolds/covers and pockets for day with fitted/covers for ON.  

I'd like to have a few wool covers in each size for ON.  They seem to be pretty expensive.  My mom and I both knit and crochet, so I'm thinking it would be way more economical for us to make the covers before baby gets here.  This leads to my questions:

1) Are there any patterns that anyone has used and been particularly pleased with?

2) Can anyone recommend a good quality wool yarn or place to start looking for yarn?  

Thank you in advance for any input you have!  

ElleBeeDub

I can't recommend a pattern, but I prefer organic wool yarn. Lion brand makes a nice organic wool, and O brand organics (I think that's the name) are really nice as well

ElleBeeDub

Oh, but check ravelry.com . There are lots of patterns on there for soakers, longies, and shorties

freezorburn

If you are on Ravelry, check out the Cloth Diapering Parents and the Soakers and Longies Groups.

I've made several soakers and the pattern I like best so far is Curly Purly.

I would skip NB sizes since you change diapers so frequently, and they poop so frequently, I'm not sure if it's worth the maintenance. But I think there are several people here who have done wool with NB sizes quite happily. Depends what works for you.

The main thing is to look for something that is 100% wool, and not superwash. And soft enough for baby. Also I like heavy worsted/Aran weight. I'm in the UK and found a domestic source for Blue-faced Leicester, which is almost as soft as merino. I haven't been able to find a US version of this. Debbie Bliss offers and Aran weight BFL but it is superwash. I've been knitting a pair of longies with it and I actually feel like it it slightly scratchier than the other BFL that I have.

I used Cascade 220 for the one NB wrap that I made, and it's a nice yarn but for the larger soakers I wanted something in a heavier weight.

You might check out online retailers who sell yarns for dyeing, as I remember coming across a couple of these when I was looking for yarn for soakers. And then I ended up moving to a different country and found a yarn here that I like.

MrsTuna08

I'm not sure how I've never heard of ravelry.com before, but I think I'm in love.  Thank you!

TugboatSheila

I'm just saying, if you are making wool covers you should sell some to me

MrsTuna08

@JP27 maybe you should wait until I AW my attempt before you decide if you want what I have to offer.....

TugboatSheila

MrsTuna08 said:

@JP27 maybe you should wait until I AW my attempt before you decide if you want what I have to offer.....

I kind of love them.