Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 I am thinking of knitting some woolen pants, underwear, what not for for my little girl. So, size 12-18 months. It has been a while since I knitted something that required thinking so be gentle. What easy patterns or books do I suggest I look at to get started... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Do you mean "soakers?" If so, there are a TON of free patterns on Ravelry. Have you joined? It's a treasure trove of patterns, yarn info, etc. go to http://www.ravelry.com and sign up. It's free, and so much fun! astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Thanks, Astrid. I felt overwhelmed last year when I visited the site, but I'll try to "conquer" it!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Oh, it IS overwhelming! :001_smile: They've improved the search feature, however, so you can really narrow your searches. If you're a member, friend me and I"ll do some hunting around for you. My screen name there is "astridrobi." If you tell me yours I can send you some possibilities so you can check them out there, and see how the projects have turned out for other Ravelers. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Little Turtle Knits has some nice patterns for soakers and pants. I used their Flirty Skirty pattern for my dd when she was in diapers, but I knitted pants onto them. They came out adorably! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Seconding Astrid idea of using Ravelry. It really IS easier to navigate these days. In your pattern searches you can specify that you are only interested in knitted patterns and/or patterns with pictures and/or free patterns and/or certain weights of yarn. You can even decide difficulty level of the pattern. I'd bet that there's a group there dedicated to knitting soakers, so you could hang out with them (in an online sort of way) to get more advice. Groups make the site less overwhelming for me -- I belong to the WellTrainedMind group, a couple of groups about knitting cables, a Star Trek group, a Studio Ghibli group, etc. I'm GailV on Ravelry. Hope to see you there! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GailV Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Okay, I couldn't resist unleashing my inner librarian and doing a super-quick search for you. I got on Ravelry, selected "groups", typed "soakers" into the search field, and got several groups with hundreds of members. So, next step could be to start browsing through their forum discussions and looking at pictures of stuff they've made. You don't need to join a group to browse through their forum, by the way. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Ladies, you are so sweet. I am already overwhelmed. Why don't I have an IRL knitting girl friend?? That's how I began knitting way back in hs and now I am just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because I *want* to do the projects, can knit etc., but have forgotten the tinkering with projects plus reading the instructions in my non-native language is a 'hole other headache.... Just feeling frustrated. I am Osmosis Mom there. Please do befriend me, gals!! (insert pathetic laughter here...). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Little Turtle Knits has some nice patterns for soakers and pants. I used their Flirty Skirty pattern for my dd when she was in diapers, but I knitted pants onto them. They came out adorably! Thanks, Amy. I'll check it out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Okay, I couldn't resist unleashing my inner librarian and doing a super-quick search for you. I got on Ravelry, selected "groups", typed "soakers" into the search field, and got several groups with hundreds of members. So, next step could be to start browsing through their forum discussions and looking at pictures of stuff they've made. You don't need to join a group to browse through their forum, by the way. OK, OK, I am seeing the light. Geez, ladies. BTW, I now have TWO knitting friends, hehe (Gail and Astrid, you don't even know!!). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Hmmm, and where is your preferred place to buy nice wool? We do have a local store, but I don't really care for the people who work there so online might be better. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
astrid Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Ladies, you are so sweet. I am already overwhelmed. Why don't I have an IRL knitting girl friend?? That's how I began knitting way back in hs and now I am just feeling overwhelmed and frustrated because I *want* to do the projects, can knit etc., but have forgotten the tinkering with projects plus reading the instructions in my non-native language is a 'hole other headache.... Just feeling frustrated. I am Osmosis Mom there. Please do befriend me, gals!! (insert pathetic laughter here...). I"ll friend you, Osmosis Mom! And where do you live in New England? My FAVORITE place to buy yarn, HANDS DOWN, is at Webs in Northampton, MA. We go there often, and it's really a wonderful store-- discounts, great salespeople, SO HELPFUL. And HUGE! :-) With an entire back room full of closeouts! http://www.yarn.com is the website, but it's much more fun to go browse in person. astrid Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 (edited) Do you want to knit longies? or just soakers? both? Diaperswappers Craft Chat has a great craft chat forum will lots of links to easy longie/soaker patterns. Go to the "Knitting tips, links and other useful info" thread - it's stickied in red - and it should be VERY useful. It lists several different patterns (I've used the Sheepy Pants pattern and the Little Turtle Knits Perfection Pants) as well as good places to buy yarn online, AND will explain the different types of yarn and how much you will need, etc. Hope that helps and come back and show us what you knit up!! I tried to search for you on Ravelry but I couldn't find you? I have the same name there as I do here. Edited January 2, 2011 by Mothersweets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 2, 2011 Author Share Posted January 2, 2011 Laura, I have just begun frequenting Diaperswappers, but had not seen the place you mentioned. Cool, I'll check it out possibly tonight. I feel so incompetent, coming from families with highly proficient knitters and I am such a goose.! Astrid, I am in NH, just over the border from MA. I don't think I'll be going to Northampton, but thanks for the suggestion. Laura gave me a few leads plus I'll check out your website. I had been looking at knitpicks.com and was not very impressed with their selection. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 Yay! Diaperswappers really helped me A LOT when I was first knitting soakers and longies. I'm sure you will find just what you are looking for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catz Posted January 2, 2011 Share Posted January 2, 2011 I will also vote for Ravelry. It is totally overwhelming, but a great knitting resource! Best of luck. I hope to get more knitting done this year! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amy in NH Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 where is your preferred place to buy nice wool? Knit Picks I'd get a Superwash Merino like Swish for the soakers... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 (edited) Knit Picks I'd get a Superwash Merino like Swish for the soakers... :iagree: I'm a huge friend of KP. And I'm happy to be your Ravelry friend (or anyone else's...I have very few friends on Ravelry, LOL!), too. My name on there is tttiggerrr. :) Edited January 3, 2011 by Hill Country Classical Academy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Emmy Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Astrid and Nadia - I friended you on Ravelry. :) Nadia - I shop at webs a lot as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WiseOwlKnits Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I tried to search for you on Ravelry but I couldn't find you? I have the same name there as I do here. I had the same problem. She's OsmosisMom - one word. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jamee Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I will also vote for Ravelry. It is totally overwhelming, but a great knitting resource! Best of luck. I hope to get more knitting done this year! :iagree:I get lost in searches sometimes and find all kinds of fun stuff. Be sure to use your favorites or queues so you don't "lose" any patterns along the way. I also agree that Knit Picks is the place to shop for yarn CANNOT beat their prices. For wool though, I love Cascade 220. I'm JameeKnits @ Ravelry Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mothersweets Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I had the same problem. She's OsmosisMom - one word. :) Aha! Thank you ! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anabelneri Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 I had Lil'un in woolies at 18mo and loved them! They are a joy! My favorite pattern was the Sheepy Pants from Sheepy Time Knits. They were versatile for all different ages and sizes, and the instructions were super clear and instructive :tongue_smilie:. I probably knit 15 of those in the end for Lil'un and her friends. If you're going to use them as diaper covers then you won't want a superwash wool, but if they're just going to be pants then you can choose any yarn you want! My favorite yarn for diaper-cover style woolies was Malabrigo -- not the cheapest yarn out there, but definitely one of the softest! And have fun on Ravelry... I'm on there as knitabel. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
catalinakel Posted January 3, 2011 Share Posted January 3, 2011 Knit Picks I'd get a Superwash Merino like Swish for the soakers... I knitted my first baby sweater with this yarn and think it would be a great choice also. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Osmosis Mom Posted January 3, 2011 Author Share Posted January 3, 2011 Kirsten, I actually "understood" what you said!! I already read as much that I knew Superwash would not be for longies. Gosh, am I goooood. I did find the Eviepants, but will check out Sheepy Time and Little Turtle before picking the pattern. :D BTW, did anyone try making pants out of a discarded woolen shirt? Like felting the shirt and cutting off the big part and adjusting the "waist-line" etc.?? Looks totally cool and fun! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anabelneri Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 BTW, did anyone try making pants out of a discarded woolen shirt? Like felting the shirt and cutting off the big part and adjusting the "waist-line" etc.?? Looks totally cool and fun! I didn't do it myself, but a friend did a whole bunch for her daughter and we got some of the hand-me-downs. Some of them were really, really cute! They were generally thinner than my handknit longies, but still really nice and usable. :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
5forMe Posted January 5, 2011 Share Posted January 5, 2011 Hmmm, and where is your preferred place to buy nice wool? We do have a local store, but I don't really care for the people who work there so online might be better. What is up with that? We have a LYS in our town and the lady is just plain unfriendly. I drive another town over (30 minutes) to the LYS there to buy yarn. But yes, I have to buy online sometimes too. I just do a search for the yarn I am looking for and buy it from whichever store offers it cheaper and with the cheapest shipping. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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