Soaker Pattern

You will need 2-4 ounces of worsted weight yarn to create your soaker, plus about 1 ounce of the plain undyed for the trim.  I used size 5 needles but I knit very loosely (it’s more relaxing that way).  Use what you need to get a gauge of 5 stitches/inch.   I recommend a circular needle 16 inches long and a set of double points in the same size to make the I-cord and leg trims. You can buy the hand-dyed wool/alpaca on my etsy site.  Go to www.marthamarques.etsy.com

Sizes are newborn, small (0-6), medium (6-12), large (12-24) and toddler.

Cast on 56 (72, 80, 88, 96) and join for knitting in the round.  Knit 5 rows of K2 P2 rib.  On the next row K2, yo, P2tog.  Resume K2 P2 rib for another 4 rounds and change color.  Knit only until colored portion below the ribbing measures 3 1/2 - 4 1/2 inches long....longer for the larger sizes. Place 12 (16, 17, 19, 21) stitches on a holder.

Now knit back and forth (no longer going circularly).  Knit 2 tog at the beginning, and only the beginning, of every row until you have 12 (16, 17, 19, 21) stitches left on the needle.  Fold up these raw stitches to meet the ones on the holder and Kitchener Stitch them together.

Pick up stitches around the leg openings being sure to pick up 1 stitch in each row (for stretchiness).  Space more or less evenly on your double points and knit for 6-8 rows.  Bind off loosely.  The edge will roll up nicely on its own. Knit an I-cord in the colored yarn for the tie, which should be at least 3 times as long as the soaker is wide.