Friday, April 23, 2010

Newborn Wool Soaker Pattern

I knitted and sold LOTS of these wool soakers for my cottage business and they were loved by the mama's who bought them.  So I decided to share the pattern with you (newborn size only).  You are welcome to knit as many as you'd like for personal use or gifts.  If you think you'd like to knit them to sell, like I did, that's fine.  Just link back to this pattern.  =)  Please feel free to email me with any questions or comments.  I'd love to see finished projects, too!




 
LITTLE BEAR WEAR SOAKER PATTERN
Size Newborn - up to 8 or 9 pounds

Supplies Needed:

Instructions:

Cast on 64 stitches with the #5, 16" circular needle.  Join to knit in the round, placing a marker between the first and last stitch so that it is easier to count rows.

Knit in K2, P2 ribbing for 4 rows.
K2, YO, P2tog around this row to establish an eyelet row for the drawstring.
Knit in K2, P2 ribbing for another 4 rows
These ribbing rows should equal approximately 2 inches.

Place hip markers so that there are 32 stitches in the front and 32 stitches in the back - one on each side with the beginning of the round marker in the center back.

Switch to the larger needle - #8, 16" circular needle.  It will be a little snug but  will loosen up within a couple rows.  

Increase 4 stitches in the back section, using the very simple increase, M1.  Just space them out evenly.  There will be 32 stitches in the front section and 36 stitches in the back section.

Knit around until the piece measures 3 inches from the cast on edge.

Starting at the beginning of the row, place a marker after the 9th, 12th, and 15th stitch.  The hip marker already marks the 18th stitch.  Go back to the beginning of the row, and count in the OTHER direction and mark the 9th, 12th, and 15th stitch.  Again the hip marker already marks the 18th stitch.  You are now set up do add short rows to the back of the wool soaker so that it will fit comfortably over a cloth diapered bottom.

Starting at the beginning of the row:
  • Knit until you reach the FIRST marker (9th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Purl to the beginning of the row.
  • Purl until you reach the FIRST marker (9th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Knit to the beginning of the row.
  • Knit until you reach the wrapped stitch, pick up the wrap, and knit it and the stitch together. 
  • Knit until you reach the SECOND marker (12th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Purl to the beginning of the row.
  • Purl until you reach the wrapped stitch, pick up the wrap, and purl it and the stitch together.
  • Purl until you reach the SECOND marker (12th stitch).  Drop the stitch marker - wrap and turn.  Knit to the beginning of the row. 
Continue in this fashion until the 15th and 18th stitch have been knitted in both directions.  Keep the stitch markers in place after the 18th stitch as hip markers.

Short rows are easy to do when you have someone sitting next to you to walk you through each step.  If you are getting stuck, take a look at this short row tutorial.

Continue to knit in the round until the soaker measures 4 1/2" from the FRONT.

Bind off 5 stitches after the first hip marker and 5 stitches before the second hip marker.  Knit to the beginning of the row.  There should be 22 stitches in FRONT and 36 stitches in the BACK. 

You'll now be working with the back stitches and decreasing on both ends to form a flap.  You may find it easier to put the front stitch on a piece of waste yarn or on a stitch holder.

Starting at the beginning of the row marker, knit until there are 3 stitches left, K2tog, K1.
Turn work and purl until you have 3 stitches left, SSP, P1.

Repeat these 2 rows until 16 stitches remain.
Break yarn leaving a long tail.  Weave it in loosely (1 inch stitches) so that your knitting won't unravel. 

Pick up the stitches from front flap with your #8 circular knitting needle.

Starting from the knit side, knit until there are 3 stitches left, K2tog, K1.
Turn work and purl until you have 3 stitches left, SSP, P1.

Repeat these 2 rows until 16 stitches remain.

Knit in stockinette (knit the right/smooth side; purl the wrong/bumpy side) until the leg opening measures 9 inches.  Try not stretch the leg opening while you measure it with a flexible tape measure.

Kitchener stitch the two flaps together.

Pick up stitches around each leg opening to add a cuff.  See that extra stitch after the K2tog/SSP?  It makes for a neat, tidy edge that is easy to see for this step.

If you'd like cute rolled cuff, pick up 42 stitches with the double pointed needles (DPNs).  Knit 8 rows.  Bind off on the 9th using EZ's Stretchy Bind Off.

If you'd like a charming ribbed cuff, pick up 40 stitches with the DPNs.  K2, P2 rib for 8 rows.  Bind off on the 9th using EZ's Stretchy Bind Off.

Make a Twisted Cord drawstring to thread through the eyelets.  Find a cute baby and put it to use!  Don't forget to lanolize the wool soaker regularly.  =)

13 comments:

Leah said...

Thank you so much for sharing this pattern with the Soakers and Longies group at Ravelry! I'm expecting baby #5 and am due in just 10 weeks. I can't wait to knit up this pattern for my precious little one! :)

Erin Joy said...

Leah, the best thing about knitting newborn soakers is that they are fast. I hope you have a wonderful babymoon!

Jessica said...

What is the guage and measurements for this cute little soaker? I love it!

Erin Joy said...

Gauge is 4.5 to 5 spi in worsted weight yarn.

HTH =)

Bertie's Gf said...

Erin, I love the soaker pattern. I'm making a few as presents for my best friend's new grand daughter. Could you tell how I would measure the leg opening? Thanks, Vicky

Erin Joy said...

Vicky, I measure the leg opening using a flexible tape measure (the kind you use for sewing). I hold it on edge so that it can curve around the opening. HTH ... Erin

kim said...

OK, hoping I can manage this. I usually do patterns written row 1: row 2: So I'm probably going to re-write this because I know this is an amazing soaker -- I used them, made by you!

Erin Joy said...

You can do it, Kim. =) I can help you if you get stuck.

XOXO
Erin

Arielle said...

I was wondering how much yarn is needed for this pattern? Thank you!

Arielle said...

I was wondering how much yarn is needed for this pattern? Thank you!

Erin Joy said...

100 grams/3.5 ounces of worsted weight wool yarn is more then sufficient. =)

Erin

Kyndal said...

I love this soaker!! I was wondering if you have another pattern in a bigger size? My daughter is 18 months. I love the colors you used, reminds of watching rainbow bright when I was a kid. :)

missyd1230 said...

Im making this for my sister in law to have her newb photo shoot but her baby wont be cloth diapered. Should i still do the short rows ?

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