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How and Why to Use a Soaker |
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Written by Martha Marques
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Monday, 22 June 2009 13:31 |
| Have you ever heard of a soaker? Your grandmother will probably know, and your great-grandmother definitely would. Soakers are an old technology used before plastic pants for diapering children. Wool holds up to 1/3 of its weight in liquid before it begins to feel damp, which makes it the most useful fiber for a soaker. The wool is also mildly antibacterial and breathes which helps eliminate diaper rash, and makes a soaker more comfortable in hot weather. This is how it works. |
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| In the morning diaper your baby with a cloth diaper and put the soaker on over it. When your baby's bum begins to feel the slightest bit damp it's time for a change. Change the cloth diaper and put the same soaker back on. Repeat often throughout the day. For night time use the same soaker but double or triple diaper your baby with cloth diapers. In the morning change the baby and put on a new soaker. Rinse the old soaker thoroughly in warm water, using soap only if the soaker has become soiled (think poop). Squeeze out most of the water and lay the soaker out flat somewhere to dry. You should only have to rinse out or wash one soaker a day. Five or six soakers should be an ample supply. Over time you will notice that the soaker will felt in the crotch area which will only improve its effectiveness. You can buy your soakers from me by clicking here, or you can knit your own by referring to the pattern below. If you want to make your own, but you really, really want some of the hand-dyed wool/alpaca you can get that here. |
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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.
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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.
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Last Updated on Monday, 22 June 2009 15:27 |
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