Any body crochet their own wool soakers? What wt yarn/hook?

luvmygoofyguy

I'm relatively capable (by no means an expert) with a crochet hook, and was thinking of trying to make some on my own, since wool soakers can be so crazy expensive.

I've found some patterns online, but the hook sizes seem on larger side, and pictures on the patterns seem to have pretty wide holes on them. Would think I need a smaller hook/tighter weave on the crochet for something that's supposed to be catching leaks and soaking them up...

Any recommendations for yarn weight (most wool seems to come in worsted, but just curious if anyone went for a lower wt?), hook size, and even what brand? I'm thinking of using Lion Fisherman's Wool, that seems to be used by a lot of folks on ravelry when I was looking.

michavid

I don't crochet, but I have knit a couple of soakers. Worsted weight yarn seems to be the norm, and use whatever size hook you need to get the correct gauge. You want to stitches to be pretty tight. I have used Lamb's Pride, Cascade 220, and Wool of the Andes off of Knit Picks.

daisies05

I crocheted a soaker based on one of the popular free patterns. I don't remember the hook size, but I used Paton's as that's what they had at Joann's and it was pretty. 

emolee84

I usually use patons wool and an H hook.  really the holes don't matter, it will work just the same (trust me!  almost all of DS's wool is crocheted and I've never had a leak)

cassoppea

I usually use worsted wool weight 4 with a 4 or 4.5 hook.  I started a soaker but just never got around to finishing it!  But I do make a lot of hats and things for babies with that and the stitches are very tight and nice. 

 ETA: I like Lion Brand Yarn - its really soft!

jennyann28

I used Cascade 220, and an H hook to make my soaker.  It's really soft & really cute!

luvmygoofyguy

Thanks for all the info, I appreciate it! 

RJM050705

michavid:

I don't crochet, but I have knit a couple of soakers. Worsted weight yarn seems to be the norm, and use whatever size hook you need to get the correct gauge. You want to stitches to be pretty tight. I have used Lamb's Pride, Cascade 220, and Wool of the Andes off of Knit Picks.

Bumping this older thread...  I was planning to order some Wool of the Andes from knitpicks.com.  michavid or any others who have used it, how many balls did you need for each soaker?  I was going to try to make 2-3 of them...  The pattern I plan to use is https://crochetcastle.blogspot.com/2009/04/easiest-crochet-wool-soaker-pattern.html.  She estimates needing 250 yards...  The Wool of the Andes page says it's 110yds/ball.   Think I could get away with only two balls?  If I used a coordinating yarn for the legs/drawstring?  Or should I just order 3 balls to be safe?