This evening, it has been re-made into a diaper soaker.
I had heard that you can take a 100 percent wool sweater and cut it up to make a waterproof diaper cover (also known as a soaker.) I looked at my thrift store for several weeks for *just* the perfect sweater for such a project. Alas, most of them were ugly big male sweaters, or not the right yarn/fabric. Earlier this week, I found IT: A peachy orange and baby blue striped 100 percent wool sweater. Not too thick, not too thin. Just right!
I took a pair of size 2/3T training pants and cut around them on top of the sweater, with the top of the pant placed at the ribbing. Next, I shaped the front of the soaker (to be) to make leg holes. A few seams up the sides (double zig-zagged because I don’t have a serger) and between the leg holes and it was taking shape! The cuffs of the sweater were easily set into the leg holes…just a matter of minutes, really. It turned out so cute, and so well!
I’m going to lanolize it tonight with some Lanisoh. It fits well – although I think I might knit and lace a little I-cord through the waist to make it a little tighter. Then we’ll see if it truly does hold….liquid. 
Not bad, for a .99 cent thrifted sweater!
There are some other very cute “recycled” diaper ideas at Fern and Fairie, for those seeking unique diapers/accessories on a dime.
Check out more Works for Me Wednesdays here.
January 23, 2008 at 8:53 am |
How creative! Aren’t you clever!
January 23, 2008 at 8:57 am |
Great idea. Please let us know how it works! How do you lanolize? Your son’s a cutie.
BTW, Jack helped with the laundry yesterday. It went very well and he told me he was “just like sam!”
January 23, 2008 at 9:21 am |
Sigh. We can’t use wool around here due to my husband’s severe allergies but I have recycled sweaters in a variety of ways–from vest dresses for a 6 year old from a ladies large to mittens and hats and even skirts. The kids love it when I chop up a sweater and make them something new.
January 23, 2008 at 9:48 am |
Cute soaker – even cuter belly button!
January 23, 2008 at 10:07 am |
Aw, Sara, that is soooo cute!
Heather, I am so sorry! You are such a clever, creative mama though…you find ways to recycle things that DO work for your family.
January 23, 2008 at 10:12 am |
Not to be stupid or anything….are soaker pants like training pants??? If so…interesting way to create one….new idea to me.
January 23, 2008 at 10:16 am |
They can be, Annette. But they would need to be over a pair of training pants…so I guess they would work more like a plastic pant that goes over the trainer. The deal is, the wool repels liquid, so you are supposed to be able to go a long time in between washings. Sounds gross, doesn’t it? But I’m assured by mothers who are in the know that unless waste gets on the soaker it doesn’t need to be washed every time. I don’t know much, really…yet….but I can tell that they are soft and more comfy than the plastic pants.
January 23, 2008 at 10:18 am |
Lanolizing – Sara – basically means adding lanolin to a soak water to make the wool even more waterproof. I believe that sometimes the lanolin gets stripped out of the wool, and so you need to put it back in. Lanolin occurs naturally in sheep…
I’ve got to read up on it before I actually do it. I’ve got a tube of lanisoh, though, and I’ve read that you can use that.
January 23, 2008 at 10:33 am |
Oops. I was wrong on much that I said. Wool is not waterproof. The lanolin is.
Here’s a good link that is pretty detailed…
http://www.greenmountaindiapers.com/lanolize.htm
And I mispelled Lansinoh…:)
January 23, 2008 at 11:30 am |
Oh my goodness. You are brilliant!! LOVE the soaker. I had no idea you are so crafty, Holly. Amazing. Can’t wait to hear how it works for you!!