Wednesday, February 5, 2014

Turtle Butt Diaper Soaker

Turtle Butt is possibly the most darling diaper soaker knitting pattern ever.  It really emphasizes the bubble baby butt in an adorable way.  Plus, if you make the soaker out of 100% wool it can be waterproof and wick wetness away from a leaky baby!


I considered two different color options of worsted weight KnitPicks Wool of the Andes for this pattern, Avocado as the MC and then either Hyacinth or Blackberry as the contrasting color.  I really couldn't decide between the more vibrant (Hyacinth) or muted (Blackberry) option, so I turned to the ChemKnits Facebook followers for help.  They did not disappoint me, and encouraged me to select the more vibrant option.


Looking at the associated Ravelry board, I decided to make the size Small.  My baby boy was projected to be big, so a 0-3 month (x-small) might not fit him very long.  A 6 month size may have some more use.  Plus all accounts on Ravelry that used KnitPicks WoTA found under 50g of each color was required, so I know that I'll have enough yarn.


I checked my gauge on size 6 dpn's.  10 sts/2", I think I'm good!  I used size 4 needles where directed in the pattern.


I've gotten pretty used to the kitchener stitch, but I've never done a Garter Graft before.  I was tempted to just turn the piece inside out and do what I know.  Turns out, it really is just the reverse of what I've done before so it wasn't so hard.  (Phew!)  Can you even tell which row is grafted in the picture below?  


I have no idea how big a baby's leg (thigh) is around, but I hope after making the ribbed leg openings there is enough space to help hold this turtle butt onto the baby.


When I read the instructions for the Grafted bindoff I was really confused.  I missed the part of cutting the yarn and using a yarn needle.  Thankfully the pattern links to a video that shows how the technique works.  It does give a very nice clean edge for a ribbed product.  


I created a twisted cord for the tie by twisting one strand of MC and CC and then letting them wrap around each other.   The cord (4 ft - selected by the amount of MC remaining at the end) is too long, but I'm waiting to cut it down to size until I can try this diaper soaker on my baby.  (In its current state, see first picture in the post, it could be a safety concern.)  In the end, this pattern consumed 42 g/93 yards of avocado (MC) and 33 g/73 yards of hyacinth (CC).  

The front (left) and back (right) of the turtle butt diaper soaker.  

At the time of completing this project (Oct 2), I think this will be the last thing that I make for my baby before he arrives!  

5 comments:

  1. I would like to see a picture of this in use!

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    1. I'm posting more "Lucky Knits" pictures in about a month. :) It is still a bit big for him at almost 4 months.

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  2. Other than putting on the baby, is there a cloth diaper or a paper one used directly on baby's touche!?

    Doesn't this knit thing get wet? I mean, it would if used on a cloth diaper.

    It might not when used on the paper ones -- until so full that overflow would mean a baby's butt is waaaaay overexposed to caustic liquids and solids.

    Please explain the use and outcome of using this cover. Thank you.

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    1. I made this primarily because it is cute, but diaper soakers can be used to catch leaks. More people use diaper soakers over cloth diapers because leaks are much more common. You can get diaper leaks without having the diaper be overfull... we get a lot of leaks when the baby is growing out of one diaper size but still too small for the next size up.

      So yes, used as intended the soaker would get wet sometimes, and need to be washed. In the process, it may protect you, you sofa, your carpet etc from getting wet.

      Here is a link about Using wool diaper covers
      “Nature’s gift of wool can maintain three seemingly contradicting qualities simultaneously. First, a wool cover is thermal - “it can store water vapour up to 35 per cent of its own dry weight yet it remains dry to touch and speeds up the body’s own cooling system.”2 To attest to this fact, wool is most regularly suggested for night-time usage when leaks most often occur in abundance, although certainly can extend to everyday wear. Second, while absorbent, they still remain breathable, allowing for a maximum amount of circulation around baby’s bum. This helps prevent diaper rash, but also alleviates the health concerns of trapped heat within a diapering system. Finally, wool contains natural lanolin, which creates a natural waterproof barrier or repellency. ”

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