yes, yes, I agree. bump pictures 
We were actually trying to take ābump progressā photos every week, to see the progression. But we havenāt taken one since that last one I posted, which was a month ago! I just keep forgetting. Hopefully Iāll remember this week. Iām definitely bigger than in that last photo!
Iāve been researching cloth diapering options lately. Sooooo many great options, itās actually rather overwhelming how many choices there are. So many cute, creative, practical ways to go. Of course I could spend a ton of money on various types (and probably will manage to), but I love the fact that arguably the best option is a simple, fastened cloth diaper, covered in a [B]knit wool cover! [/B]
Wool diaper covers have a stellar reputation, thanks to the incredible, dynamic properties of wool. They are well known for keeping the bed linens dry at night, more so than any other type of cover in fact, and even for reducing diaper rash.
Iāll share what Iāve learned about this, because I found it fascinating. Wool has waterproof properties, thanks to its inherent lanolin as you probably know. Lanolin can be maintained or enhanced, by adding lanolin during washing. The lanolin keeps the wetness from wicking to the sheets, while the breathability allows some of the moisture to evaporate, contributing to dryness. Excess moisture in the diaper is absorbed by the wool cover itself (and it can hold a lot), before overflowing to sheets, which is something other covers canāt do.
Wool covers also maintains a perfect temperature: they are particularly cooler than disposable diapers. Disposable diapers donāt breath because of their plastic exterior, and this creates heat build up. Imagine wrapping your hand in a plastic bag on a hot day. Iām told that this excess heat is a major factor in diaper rash, and that this is why wool covers reduce diaper rash. Fascinating!
So, of course, now Iām looking at wool cover patterns online, and pondering the best yarn for the job. I havenāt looked this up yet, but something tells me that superwash wools would probably be too good to be true on this? Anyone know?
Hereās photos and links to a few patterns I like so far:
:arrow: In the clothesline trio, I like the one on the left, pattern here.
:arrow: I love the crazy orange and green one, just so fun. Pattern and more photos, here.
:arrow: Love the ruffles on the pink one. Pattern here.
And hey! Hereās something to do with those accidentally-felted sweaters! http://www.borntolove.com/frugal-column2.html Thanks for sharing that one Rosie --ever make it?
Oooo canāt wait for the photos!
The only thing I read about soakers is that non-superwash wool is best. When my first daughter was born disposables were in their infancy. I didnāt like the idea anyway so I went with a diaper service and of course used plastic pants. I had never heard of soakers till I started knitting, but at least I used cloth. Actually used them for both daughters although I only had diaper service for a year with the second one. Iām super lucky that my oldest was toilet trained at two so when the second came along I didnāt have two in diapers. 
I made some soakers for a girlfriend using catalina alpaca. They held up pretty well. Alpaca might counteract the ācoolnessā benefit of a knitted soaker thoā¦
Tons of them on Ravelry.
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/search?craft=knitting&query=soakers
Congrats Amy!!!
There are some groups making soakers in Ravelry as well:
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/soakers-and-longies
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/longies-shorites-and-soakers
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/diaper-sewing-divas
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/wooly-wonder-mommas
And I found a group called āWeāre Expecting!ā there too.
http://www.ravelry.com/groups/were-expecting-
Morning! When my one and only child was born we did not have disposables in NZ and all mothers had to use cloth nappies, either towelling or cotton that was fluffy on one side and smooth on the other. The red stripe down the sides indicated what the quality was, the darker the better. We did always get some thinner ones as very few people had dryers (1973) and the thin ones dried more quickly. We had flannel squares or flannel pilchers made from wool and lots of knitted nappy pants to go over the top of the nappies. I seem to recall that we just used whatever DK wool was available, and it did not matter if they felted a bit with constant hand washing, no super washwool in those days! I love the nappy pants you have pictured.
Thanks for the links Sandy and Jan!
Jan, I remember using those plastic pants on kids when I was babysitting. The breathable PUL fabric they have these days is such a dream by comparison! I plan to have those as well, just because theyāre so easy to clean.
My fantasy with the superwash, of course, was to toss the soaker it in the washer (poo stains and all) along with the diapers, but I knew it was a long shot. I figured if superwash was usable, then folks would be using it!
Lulubell, good point on it not really mattering if they felt a bit. Maybe I can get away with the occasional laziness of throwing it in a washer :yay: (with very little agitation). Yes, Iām sure Iāll end up doing that on occasion!
Hildie, I like the idea of using alpaca! Glad to know itās an option! Softness is probably my main priority since it will be right up against her skin.
I missed this thread until tonight. How could I miss such a very important event??? OMG congrats to you both. Amy you are just glowing in that picture. The little red sweater is gorgeous. I hope the rest of your pregnancy is easy and you have a very easy birth as well. What a beautiful little angel you will have for under your tree this year!!! I am so happy for you both. Congratulations!
Congrats. What a happy celebration then for a new human into the world. Now tell me will your little one wear anything that isnt knitted? Just asking as I imagine the knitting festivities in order. I know if I had had children after learning to knit how exciting to knit with an actual person and project in mind.
I hope your feeling wonderful and enjoying every moment of your experience. 
:woot: cloud9 :knitting: 
aww itās a girl!! Congrats to you bothā¦Iāve always wished that I had started knitting earlier onā¦I missed out knitting my little ones cute baby outifts :teehee:
Congratulations! I am sure that you are going to have your needles smoking with all that baby girl knitting you are gonna be doing!:woot:
Amiola, I was looking at the link you posted about cloth diapers and diaper folding, and I was really into it (okay, i was procrastinating, but stillā¦), so when I had to get up from the desk to go make dinner, I just left the page up. Well, apparently my cousin wandered into my room and noticed what was on the screen, because she quietly took me aside later and said that it was āokayā if I was PG, the family would support me even though Iām not married and unemployed :shock: I laughed and said, no, not me, just my knitting friend! She didnāt believe me at first, but I hope I convinced herā¦ and if not, oh well, sheāll have to learn to mind her own business (not that she wasnāt happyā¦ this is the cousin who is committed to re-populating the world with catholicsātheyāve got 4 kids already)
:roflhard: :roflhard: Thatās so funny, Hildie! :lol:
Congrats Amy!!!:cheering:
Just a cautionary note about clothā¦
I thought we were all ready for ours. I had the cute diaper covers, five dozen diapers stacked and ready, and a soaking bucket.
One day after we came home, I had 60 dirty diapers, three sets of soaked and dirty sheets (one on our bed, two on his), three polluted diaper covers, four or five wet outfits (I ran out of diaper covers and had to use the dreaded plastic pants, which didnāt work either) and a washer working overtime.
By the end of the month, three or four different diaper rash ointments later, I had a nurse telling me to ājust put a second diaper and liner over the first when you change him.ā I had already done so. Her next advice was to put a THIRD diaper and liner on. At that point, I switched to disposables. His diaper rash went away and the extra sheets and blankets were no longer necessary.
Some babies donāt have that kind of output and can wear cloth without causing havoc. If yours canāt, donāt feel terrible. I did until someone pointed out the amounts of water, detergent and electricity all the extra laundry was using. We did manage to breastfeed until he was completely bored with the idea, however, so not all of our best-laid plans went awry!
Wow Amy I missed the boat on congratulating you. I just found this thread searching for something about cable needles. I donāt usually read the blog threadsā¦ soā¦
:woot: Congratulations!!! :woohoo:
What an exciting time for you and Sheldon!! Do you think your daughter will be knitting before sheās potty trained? :teehee:
I donāt have any kids so no advice for you, just well wishes for your pregnancy, delivery, and a healthy little girl.
Thank you Maureen, Debby, Freyja, Figaroā¦
Iām 24 weeks along today (out of 40 weeks). Feeling great. Baby is kicking and wiggling about like crazy. The other day I felt a big bump on both sides of the belly at once (sheās oriented sideways) and I giggled because I could imagine her limbs outstretched like superman (supergirl), ready to fly. Her nickname that day was SuperBaby. :teehee:
Hildie, thatās so funny. Iām sure Iāve psyched out my friends on many occasions like that: Iāve been collecting baby stuff at yard sales for years (in optimistic anticipation 
). When my friends helped me move to our new house, Iām sure a lot of them were wondering about the stroller, the plastic baby bath, the automatic baby swingā¦ :whistle:
Iām about to cast on for a soaker. Iāve got a plane trip today (flying down into the Alabama and Georgia heat this weekend for some singing), so Iām scrambling to get my knitting bag together. Iām planning to bringing a couple of addi turbos on the plane for this project (circulars). Theyād better not try to take them from me! :fingerwag: (Imagine taking the knitting needles from a pregnant lady? Theyād be struck by lightening, for sure! :teehee:)
Youāll be fine on the plane. Iāve traveled a lot recently and brought my whole big old bag with metal DPNs, my Options, and even some sharp scissors (blades have to be under 4"). The passengers were all surprised, but no one at the checkpoint even gave me a look. :happydance: