Run ye to the Community Food Co-op and fetch a couple for the holiday celebrations sure to come.  These unique coozies are made from post consumer recycled wool sweaters and scrappy bits of felt.

AND crafty mamas, there will be a pattern listed in my Etsy shop right quick.  For real this time.  Like early next week.  Just in time for last minute stitchiness!

Felt your sweaters!

Though there’s been a lot of rest and preparation for baby going on around here, I have managed to steadily hammer away at the pile of unfinished projects that I shared with you all a couple of weeks back.

After much sewing, seam ripping, cutting, and more seam ripping, the boy now has a sweet little pair of boots and I have a sweet little pattern that will serve me well for months to come.  This pair is made from a repurposed wool sweater and lined with super soft flannel.  There are (of course) a couple more adjustments to be made but these meet all of our needs in a little boot:  functional, unique, warm, and they actually stay on.

I finished the hat that I was initially making for last month’s Gypsy Road challenge, complete with crochet covered buttons and a whole lotta popcorn stitch.  I am so in love with handspun wool that it almost hurts.  The best part?  This is a completely original design that actually looks and fits just like I was envisioning.  I dig it so much that I actually put one of my labels in my own hat…now that’s good stuff.

And though it’s only about 20% finished, I have been plodding away at the baby’s sweater.  I even learned a new stitch to add to my knitting bag of tricks–the honeycomb stitch.  I love the elegance of knitting but it certainly takes a lot more time than crochet!

Looking better. Not great, but better. And no fair making fun of my crooked seams on practice runs.

For this version I tried using the bias edging cut from another wool sweater. While I like the look of the coordinating print, the drawback is that it is too thick. It rendered the elastic completely useless because the fabric refused to bunch up. Back to lightweight wool for the bias tape.

You can see the modification that I made with the elastic on the left side: two pieces of elastic sewn in together in a shorter length. While it did help with the gathering a bit, the fabric is just too thick to bunch up as much as it needs to. I will also try to use some elastic that is more heavy duty, though I don’t want it to be uncomfortable for the boy. My goal with this soaker is to make it useful, attractive, and as easy to make as possible without having to order special supplies. A weekend project.

The backing for the snaps turned out to be a good idea though. This will help stabilize the fabric from repeated pulling as the soaker gets used.

Well, not this soaker.

I also did a bit of reading about stretchy fabrics and it turns out that you don’t necessarily have to use a zig zag stitch. Using a setting that creates 12-15 stitches per inch will work quite well for this application, which is nice because the seams have give but the threads aren’t too loose. It also makes the visible stitch from securing the bias tape look tailored and clean, unlike when I used the zig zag stitch on the first version.

For the next round, I will be making some additional changes. First, the soaker needs to be smaller. You can’t tell from the pictures but it appears to be able to fit a nine year old. It’s huge. Second, I will investigate the possibility of using an elastic with more density. The stuff I have around the house is too weak to keep the leg openings nice and snug. I also discovered some soft wool fabric that I had forgotten about (go figure) so I will try using it for the bias tape and the snap reinforcement panel. And finally, I will not use the good lambswool or merino wool sweaters for the next round–back to the scratchy ones for practice!

Here is the first version of a wool diaper cover that I made from an old wool sweater.  You know, I really hate making the first version of things.  I know that it’s going to turn out ok but not great, so it feels like a waste of time.  But honestly there is just no better way to figure something out than to have a live version to work with, so the creation of “Version One” is just a part of the process.  Don’t be afraid to fail–if you’re not failing then you’re not taking risks.

So here is my critique so far:

• Next time I will cut the bias tape on the bias.  Whoops.
• A tighter gather in the legs and on the back.
• Thicker wool.
• Line the inside (behind the snaps) for greater stability.
• Better snap placement.
• Coordinating thread for the stitches on the inside of the soaker.

And the parts that I DO like:

• The bias tape!  (Also made from a repurposed, lightweight wool shirt.)
• The rayon thread that I used just because it was in the machine…I’ll probably keep that.
• The shape and size are perfect for Nico.
• I finally had an excuse to buy a snap tool.
• Cost of the diaper cover:  less than five dollars.  (The dude is now ready for his FIFTH set of diaper covers at ten months old.  Time for mama to figure out how to make our own!)

So the major challenge with making a wool soaker is to get a good fit without making the cover look totally ghetto.  Our dude is quite a chunker so we have had some pretty major issues with finding the perfect fit for him.  Most diaper covers end up leaving red welts on his fat little thighs and that just won’t do.  Another challenge is finding all wool materials that are not scratchy…nobody wants scratchy wool against their skin, least of all a little baby with the proverbial soft skin.  Test out the wool on a tender part of your skin (belly, under your arm, even your bum if you are so inclined) to make sure that your tot will approve.  I put some scratchy wooly pants on Nico and he sat there picking at them until he started to cry.  Sorry, little man.

Why 100% wool?  The lanolin in the wool (which needs to be added from time to time) makes the fibers absorbent and apparently keeps the soakers from smelling like pee.  From my research so far, you only need to wash the covers when they get hit with some #2 action.  Sounds too good to be true, doesn’t it?  We’re going to be doing some serious experimenting around here and I’ll share my observations as we go.

My hope is to have this pattern/process developed within the next month or two.  Then I’ll happily share it with you all for free and even offer a paper version for sale if you don’t feel like drafting a pattern yourself.  The pattern will be geared toward an intermediate level sewer.

I’m also working on the pattern for the Slim and Trim Diapers that I make out of repurposed flannel sheets (which we love!).  This pattern is easy as pie so it will be appropriate for a beginner level sewer.  I should have those available within a couple of weeks if all goes well.  Again, I’ll give it to you for free here on the blog but if you don’t feel like drafting a pattern a paper version will be available for sale.

They do make a nice pair though, don’t they?