When thinking of things to knit for my new grandson wool diaper covers did not come to mind – but that’s what my daughter and son-in-law asked for. (Along with a Little Dude sweater) Who even knew wool diaper covers were a thing?
Both samples are knit with Knit Picks High Desert worsted, a soft, squishy, economically priced, colorful, and sustainable, Shaniko-wool, merino yarn.
But then, when you think about it, it makes total sense. Wool is soft, moisture wicking, breathable, sustainable, antibacterial, and flame resistant. Considering that baby bottoms are adorably small – diaper covers should be a quick, stash-busting knit.
But what pattern to use! The expectant parents had example from two companies that sell sustainable, wool covers, and Ravelry has a few patterns. Putting all that together, I decided to give it a go.
Both the manufactured covers, The Sloomb Knit Wool Cover, and the Disana Wool Pull_On Cover, are knit with merino wool yarn, and have a high ribbed waist rise, and ribbed leg openings. Great for making a good fitting, non-leaky cover. They’re both also double layered and knit is a very small gauge – from the photos, it appears to be about 25-30 sts per inch – not so great for making a quick hand knit.
Meanwhile the Ravelry patterns offer many choices. Looking for one with no buttons or ties, reasonable guage, waist and leg ribbings and little to no seaming I settled on the Wool Diaper Cover posted by Studio Tuumat Oy The pattern needed a few modifications. Substituting worsted weight for bulky yarn, stockinette for garter stitch, removing the tie, knitting in the round, and lengthening the waist and leg ribbing, and voila Wool Diapers Covers! It takes about 4 hours to knit up, so I can adjust when there is a baby bottom to cover.
Klamath Basin Wool Works 