A few wool sweaters from the dollar-a-pound Goodwill Clearance Center + a few hours cutting and sewing = a respectable pile of wool soakers and longies for the new baby
I used Katrina’s soaker pattern and loved it. For the longies, I used the sweater sleeves and sort of followed this pattern while using Katrina’s waistband.
For underneath, I think I’ll turn some prefolds to prefitteds, following this tutorial.
Hi! My name is Jean and I am mama to two daughters -- a four year old and a newborn. I'm trying to parent in a way that encourages creative expression, imagination, joyfulness, and a love of learning. Thanks for visiting!
cygnetsmall said
Those are CUTE! Did you use soakers with Maya? I always just used plastic covers, which were fine and all but not nearly as cute.
The Artful Parent said
Nope, I didn’t use soakers with Maia. Just used Fuzzi Bunz. I had some smalls on loan for when she was tiny and bought some mediums (which I still have) that fit for the rest of her babyhood/toddlerhood. I’m excited to try the soakers and some other diapering options.
marielle said
Those are adorable! I’m also a fan of katrina’s soaker pattern – I’ve made some fleece covers for my second boy and pretty soon will be making some wool ones for the baby. I love the burgundy longies version.
The Artful Parent said
Do the fleece covers soak enough? I was wondering about that.
maryeliz said
Darling. We used Fuzzi Bunz and liked them. We also used plain old prefolds and covers when our son was quite small. Never used “soakers.” Are they really supposed to soak up urine and such? Or will there be another layer of diaper inside?
Amy B. said
I’ve often thought soakers was a bit of a misnomer! The wool covers I think are just an alternative to bummis-type covers–just to cover over the cloth diaper. My understanding is that what people love about the wool is that it is naturally anti-microbial and thus does not need to be washed every time it gets a bit of pee on it–you just air them out and wash them with wool-safe wash once in a while (and there’s even a lanolin wash you can buy to restore them if they get too stripped of their natural lanolin). Is that right, Jean?
The Artful Parent said
Amy and MaryEliz – Wool soakers ARE supposed to soak up the urine. Here’s what I’ve read about them, “wool actually absorbs more than one third of its weight in moisture before it begins to feel wet.” I haven’t tried them personally so don’t know how well this works. Anyone else?
cygnetsmall said
Please do let us know how they work — maybe I’ll whip some up and give it a try too!
Dawn said
hi jean!
i have used wool soakers and they do absorb… they do not need to be washed after every pee, and often, they do not need to be hung to dry until after several pees. these are adorable!!
The Artful Parent said
Thanks Dawn! Good to know.
Melanie said
Just be careful – many people are allergic to natural lanolin, including babies.
Maleka said
This is so inspiring!
jill said
Oh my!! These are incredible! I love the snowflakes!! the stripes!! I have admired handknit soakers on other crafty mama websites but was rather intimidated because I’m a very beginner knitter, but using wool sweaters is genius! love it.
The Artful Parent said
I know what you mean. I’m a very beginner knitter as well (and am still not sure I have the patience for it), but sewing up soakers from recycled sweaters is very quick!
Jim said
They look COMFORTABLE to say the least! Maybe I’ll make some adult stuff like this to wear to the office. I’m sure the boss would love it.
Esme said
HAHA,
less bathroom breaks, more productivity!
Michelle said
I LOVE these! So cute!
fawn pea said
This is great! I am sort of the reverse of you – I’m such a novice sewer that knitting a bunch of these by hand is much less intimidating to me… but I have a feeling this method is a lot faster. I can’t believe I just got rid of a bunch of pre-felted sweaters from my craft stash…
The Artful Parent said
Fawn, These really are very easy (and quick!!) especially if you’ve done any sewing before. Although, I’m jealous that you can knit them so easily…
Auntie Jo Jo said
Amazing. You are very talented! These are adorable!
Angel Funk said
Brilliant! Thanks for posting the patterns. I have used wool soakers before and in my experience that can sometimes wick moisture from the soaker to another layer if you have pants or some other item of clothing on top of the soaker.
The Artful Parent said
Good to know. Thanks.
Mickey said
•*¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•´•*¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•´•*¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•´
I still (yes STILL) use cheapo plastic pants because they keep me (yes ME dry.)
My son, Eli doesn’t seem to mind being a wee bit damp. Nor does he mind making our bed a wee bit damp. Nor does he mind making my skirt as he sit regally upon my lap a wee bit damp… lol well you get the picture huh?
These soakers look do-able to mee. I do knit. Howeve,r soakers evade me. So, yup yup,
thank you for the post my “Art Mama Friend”!
Cheers from Vancouver Island
•*¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•´•*¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•´•*¨`*•♫.•´*.¸.•´
The Artful Parent said
I understand about keeping yourself dry.
Beth H said
I’ve always thought of making wool soakers but we live in Florida….do you think they would be too hot??
The Artful Parent said
I’ve read of people choosing to use wool soakers BECAUSE they live in Florida. Since they’re supposed to be so breathable. Again, I don’t have any personal experience with soakers yet, so can’t say myself. Maybe try one and see how it works?
Esme said
so durn cute!!!
do those really work?
One Crafty Place » Repurposed Sweaters to Diaper Covers said
[...] from The Artful Parent made these super-cute cloth diaper covers from thrifted sweaters! I used cloth with both of mine, [...]
Someday Crafts said
I love these. I will have to make some of these for my 1-yr-old. I linked at somedaycrafts.blogspot.com
Kelly said
Thinking about using “soakers” instead of diapers and going that route…however…what is the difference between using cloth diapers vs. soakers? Are you using the EC method? Or are you just using them for economical/environmental reasons? I’m very curious as to how well they work (I know you don’t know yet until after you’ve started using them) but it’s all just so fascinating to me.
Recycling for baby | DodaPedia said
[...] wool soakers from thrifted sweaters — somewhat girlier than the last set. I finally made some [...]