Woolly Pants Pattern - free knitted soaker pattern

Free knitted soaker pattern

This is one of the first ever knitted soakers that I made, I tried a couple from other patterns and then thought that I could create something myself.  Woollen soakers are great for over cloth nappies, especially at night, as they are breathable and natural, so great for babies.  100% wool is best, and if you can, hand wash only.  Treat your soaker with a small amount of lanolin, around peas sized (pure lanolin nipple creams can work) dissolved in warm water and a little wool wash. Soak your knitted soaker over night, and then allow to dry.  You should only need to do this every few months, when it starts to smell, allow it to air between uses unless actually soiled.

Woolly pants

This is a flat knit soaker, very simple and easy to make.  You have the option of using either Worsted Weight (10ply) yarn, or DK (8ply) yarn, which will give a slightly smaller soaker.  There is also the option of adding a textured body to the soaker.  Directions are given for a small, or newborn size, and directions for medium (approx 6 months) and large (approx 1 year) follow in brackets.

You will need

Approx 50g of DK or 10ply yarn, I would recommend 100% wool.

1 pair 4mm knitting needles

1 pair 5mm knitting needles

1 wool needle for weaving in ends.

If you are planning on making a soaker with a textured pattern, then use the pattern bellow on all areas marked with an * in the main pattern.

Textured pattern for body of soaker
Row 1 k
Row 2 p1 k2 repeat to end
Row 3 k
Row 4 k1 p1 k2 repeat to end
Row 4 k
Row 6 k2 p1
(Use this pattern on all areas worked in stocking stitch, marked with a *, including the short rows.)

Pattern

Using 4mm needles, cast on 56 (62) (68) stitches.

Row 1, (k1 p1) continue to end, this forms the 1x1 rib.
Continue in 1x1 rib for 6 more rows
Next row, k1(k2tog yo k1) repeat to last stitch k1.
Then do 7 more rows 1x1 rib.

Change to larger 5mm needles.
Row 1 (inc one stitch each end) k all stitches* 58 (64, 62) stitches.

Short rows:

Row 1,  p34 (38, 42) slip stitch, turn*
Row 2, Slip stitch k10 (12, 14) slip stitch, turn*
Row 3, Slip stitch p15 (17, 19) slip stitch, turn*
Row 4, Slip stitch k24 (26, 28) slip stitch, turn*
Slip stitch p to end.*

Main body;

Continue in stocking stitch for 12cm (15cm, 18cm) not including rib band.*

Shaping for leg holes:

Row 1, dec 2 stitches each end, 54 (60, 64)*
Row 2 Dec 3 stitches each end. 48 (54, 58)*
Repeat these two rows three more times.
For smaller size only dec 1 stitch each end.*
For medium and large sizes only dec 2 stitches each end twice.* 16 (18, 18)
Continue in stocking stitch for 10 (12, 14) more rows.*
Increase 1 stitch at each end of each row 3 (5, 7) times. 22 (28, 32).*
Increase 4 (4, 6) stitches at each end.* 30 (36, 44)

Front:

Continue in stocking stitch to match back, 12 (15, 18cm).*
Change to 4mm needles, and work 6 rows in 1x1 rib.
k1(k2tog yo k1) to last stitch k1
Work 7 more rows in 1x1 rib.  
Cast off.

Legs
Pick up 38 (42, 48) stitches around each leg hole,
Work 7 rows of 1x1 rib.
Cast off

Sew soaker together along front seams using mattress stitch.
Using double thickness of wool, and a 5mm crochet hook, chain a length long enough to use as a waist tie.  Alternatively plait a length of wool.  Thread this in the holes at the top of the soaker.

© COPYRIGHT Kelly Jo Sweeney 2011

This pattern is offered free of charge for your own personal use. Please do not make items using this pattern for sale. Should you wish to sell items made from this pattern, then please contact me for details of my Cottage Industry Licenses.

For yarns, more free patterns and knitting and crochet accessories, please see my site: http://www.wonderwool.congocart.co.nz

Pattern making

I realised earlier that it's over a year since I last released a pattern, and that was a quick free crochet square, it's about time I launched something new.  I really need to get myself together and get some of the patterns that I've been working on written up.
I showed you last time the cardigan that I made for Anja before she was born, but that's not all that I've had on my needles over the last year.  There's also this wrap around sleepsuit;

It was a little big for her when this was taken, and you don't have to scar your children for life by using such bright colours.....It's a great little outfit for keeping them warm in winter, and as it's a seamless top down construction, there isn't lots of sewing up to do either.
More recently I made a little cardigan for a friends new baby, quite a simple design this time, but cute all the same, and again; top down and seamless:

So, there are things in the pipeline, I am working on them (vaguely) and at some point I will get them written up, tested and out there.  At least, I hope I will.....

All change

Well, if you've ever been here before, you might notice that suddenly there's a different name.  You might also notice that it's over a year since I last posted.  So, what have I been up to? And what's happened to NZ wools?
Well, things have been quiet on that front for quite a while, and although I've been working on new patterns, and dying yarn, I haven't done a lot else.  So earlier this year I decided to close NZ Wools, and become involved in a new site; wonderwool.  Basically we now have a new store on there, along with a number of other New Zealand based wool crafters.  Pop along and check us out if you haven't already.
We're also to be found on the hive NZ, another really great site.
So why have I been quiet for so long?  Well, earlier this year we had another addition to our family, and welcomed our fourth child, (and second daughter).

Here she is, just two days old (back in June) modelling the cardigan and hat that I designed and made for her.  The yarn is one of mine too, possum merino, hand dyed in yellow as we didn't know what flavour she was going to be.
So, as you can imagine, life has been busy, but we've got the new site up and running, and I have at least three new patterns for you.  All I need now is time to write them down and get them tested...... Watch this space.